Dear Fellow Green Space & Local Agriculture Enthusiasts, 

I hope each and every one of you reading this message is healthy and staying positive during this pandemic. Please see below for a couple of recent updates: 

1. LA City Council is scheduled to hold a final vote on the Cultural-Historic Monument status of Bothwell Ranch tomorrow, May 20th. In July of 2019, the Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of Los Angeles deemed this property worthy of the designation on multiple accounts. Their full report is available here.
2. If you'd like to leave an official public comment before tomorrow's meeting, please do so HERE. The Council File Number is 19-0782. I encourage you to emphasize  how preserving Bothwell Ranch & supporting it's preservation (by allocating City/County/State grants and funding) is aligned with the following goals in Los Angeles's Sustainability Plan: 
   1. Zero Waste by 2035 - Bothwell Ranch can be an educational landmark, teaching neighbors how to compost their food waste & manage a home compost system. The property can also use neighbor's composted material as fertilizer for the 14 acre citrus grove. 
   2. Increase number of urban agriculture sites by 50% in 2035 - Bothwell Ranch can become much more than a citrus orchard. By planting "companion plants" next to the mature orange trees and edible gardens surrounding the grove, this property can become a local food source for low-income neighbors and/or the Greater LA community. 
   3. Livable Neighborhoods - This is the final goal in Mayor Garcetti's Sustainability PLAn and it is obvious that Bothwell Ranch, if preserved and managed in a regenerative, holistic way, can be a place for community bonding and peace. In addition to a helping biodiversity thrive acting as a  "pollinator highway" and ecosystem for native birds and animals in neighboring Santa Monica Mountains. 
3. In April 2020, a nonprofit was formed in hopes of purchasing the property from the Bothwell Family so that the land can have a caretaker after if/when it's deemed a Cultural Historic Monument. I am in contact with the Founders of Bothwell Ranch Foundation and encourage you to sign up for the newsletter and donate if you are in a position to do so. 
4. Lastly, I encourage you to seek your own "Bothwell Ranch" in or near your neighborhood. I am sure there is am empty lot, local farm, and/or school yard that has great potential. Join me as I start The Local Regeneration Movement to highlight the positive impacts of regenerative agriculture and urban forestry projects. 

Of course, if you have any questions or comments please write a note on this post and I will respond! 

With Gratitude,

Lizzy