Outdoor
Happenings
Altadena Earth Commons Workshops and Volunteer Days
Gardening days, seed swaps, water harvesting, and volunteer days, all happening right here. Come get your hands dirty with us. Pick a date below to join in.
Upcoming Events
September 2026
Altadena Earth Commons Community Gathering
October 2026
Fall Workshop
Volunteer Day
From workshops to community gatherings, here's what we have coming up. Mark your calendar—we'd love to see you there.
Water Harvesting
An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
Volunteer Day
From workshops to community gatherings, here's what we have coming up. Mark your calendar—we'd love to see you there.
Volunteer Day
From workshops to community gatherings, here's what we have coming up. Mark your calendar—we'd love to see you there.
Past Events
Learn About Water Harvesting
Saturday, July 25
Facilitator: Leigh Adams
Leigh Adams led a hands-on exploration of water harvesting, management, and infiltration, followed by a group walk to observe successful and unsuccessful strategies firsthand. Residents left with practical methods, resources for continued learning, and a clearer sense of the challenges and solutions ahead. The wellness kitchen was open throughout, with participants taking fruit and tea home.
Mosaic Seed Library Workshop
Sunday, June 7
Facilitator: Nina Raj of Altadena Seed Library
Nina Raj led participants through harvesting, processing, and saving seed, grounding the group in why seed stewardship matters for community resilience. Together, the group began building a community mosaicked seed library to remain on-site as a lasting local resource. The wellness kitchen stayed open throughout, offering local food and handcrafted tea.
Safe Post-Fire Gardening Workshop
Saturday, May 16
Facilitators: Jessica Handy and Leigh Adams
Community members built safe, clean growing systems using straw bales, logs, green waste, cardboard, burlap, and salvaged pallets. Participants learned to set up a straw bale garden, layer cardboard and burlap for a clean base, and choose seasonal, nutrient-dense plants. The wellness kitchen offered local bread, fruit, nuts, and handcrafted tea, with a take-home blend for nervous system recovery.
Wild Soil Recovery Workshop
Sunday, March 22
Facilitators: Lynn Fang and Daisy Rosas of SoilWise
Community members gathered at Altadena Earth Commons to build simple, above-ground growing systems using straw bales, burlap cloth, and salvaged pallets. The morning covered layering a clean growing base and selecting fast, nourishing plants for harvest. Free soil testing for heavy metals and microbiology was offered alongside an introduction to bioremediation and fire-follower plants.
Occidental College Volunteer Day
Thursday, March 19
Facilitators: Jessica Handy and Leigh Adams
Occidental College students gathered at Altadena Earth Commons for a session on regenerative soil, water, and land work. The morning covered approaches to rebuilding healthy ground after fire, including soil regeneration, water retention, and long-term land care.
From Fire to ICE: Press Conference and Day of Service
Friday, January 9
Partners: NDLON, Pasadena Community Job Center, Fire Poppy Project, DENA Soil Project, Community Compound, SoilWise, Evolve Altadena, and Metabolic Studios
One year after the Los Angeles wildfires, community partners, environmental and neighborhood leaders, and the immigrant day laborers who cleared debris, delivered aid, and restored homes gathered at Altadena Earth Commons for a morning press conference on the essential role of migrant labor in the rebuild and the ongoing threat of ICE enforcement. Over 70 workers and community members stayed on site for a half day of soil bioremediation work.
"Expect to have hope rekindled."