This Earth Day, San Diego Foundation (SDF) celebrates the many ways our communities are coming together to create a more sustainable future for all San Diegans.
One of the most powerful strategies in the face of climate change is also one of the most simple: planting seeds—of food, of knowledge, and of opportunity.
Growing Green Spaces
Through our new Growing Green Spaces program, SDF is investing in community-led projects that increase access to trees, parks, school gardens, and other forms of green spaces across San Diego County.
These investments are more than beautification efforts. They are part of a larger movement to promote environmental sustainability and build climate resilience in the communities that need it most.
Climate change threatens all Californians, but low-income communities often face greater risks and fewer resources. Many residents live in neighborhoods with limited green space, poor air and water quality, and higher exposure to heat and pollution. Without public or private investment, these environmental disparities will only worsen over time.
That’s why Growing Green Spaces was launched: to support neighborhood-scale solutions that address these issues and create healthier, more livable communities. The program builds upon SDF’s longstanding work through our Outdoor Access and Climate initiatives by reducing barriers to enjoying green spaces and supporting innovative projects that bring nature, wellness and education together.
Berry Good Food
One of this year’s Growing Green Spaces grantees is Berry Good Food, a nonprofit working to promote a local and regenerative food system in San Diego and northern Baja California in Mexico.
With a grant from SDF, Berry Good Food expanded its Seeds for the Future program—an initiative that brings edible school gardens to life, providing hands-on environmental and food systems education for students across the region.
Thanks to SDF support, Berry Good Food established or expanded gardens at 15 schools across six school districts, reaching approximately 1,800 students. These outdoor classrooms give students a place to connect with nature, explore science concepts, and gain valuable life skills—all while learning about the importance of sustainability, nutrition and community.
“We are truly grateful to be able to host these opportunities right within nature,” says Christina Ng, Program Manager at Berry Good Food.
“With every emptied watering can, scoop of soil, and seed planted, we hope that a lasting, tangible memory is created; one that will grow into a future where sustainability and stewardship of our Earth is respected. Every Seeds for the Future class inspires the next generation of food system leaders.”
Healing in the Garden
Ng adds that the gardens are more than just places to grow food—they are spaces for healing, creativity and discovery.
“The garden is a place of endless opportunities for the students that we serve. We see the school garden as a sanctuary where students can come to feel the calm serenity of the soil, sun and plant life.”
Ng notes that exposure to nature has proven to be therapeutic and the garden is the perfect place for anyone to reset when needed.
“Students of all ages can explore the many facets of the life sciences in the garden, and solidify those lessons for life,” she shares. “Ultimately, the garden is place where all are welcome to find [our] pathway, and thrive within it.”
These experiences are at the core of what Growing Green Spaces aims to achieve—access to the benefits of nature, paired with investments in education, public health and community well-being.
By supporting green schoolyards, parks, cool corridors, and other forms of green infrastructure, the program helps improve environmental conditions while also supporting local economies and public health outcomes.
Growing Green Spaces is among the initiatives being launched during SDF’s Fifty & Forward Campaign, which has set a 50th anniversary goal of granting $500 million to realize our region’s greatest opportunities in three key areas: education, children and families, and the environment – and raising $1 billion to help shape our community’s future.
