Edible Campus Program: Writing Through Climate Anxiety, Building Bird Houses, and More!

[Elizabeth Lane]

Dear Edible Campus Community, 

Happy WEEK 6 of winter quarter! Here at ECP, we've got a lot of fun things coming up soon! Read below to find out more. 

_________________________

1) Upcoming Workshops

We host a variety of different workshops every week. Some are "garden education," where we teach you the basics of growing your own food at home or in a garden. Others are "nature wellbeing," which are more focused on mindfulness and getting you outside in nature! All are welcome to attend any of our workshops. Please sign up for one below:

 

2/10 - Sips of Calm: Writing Through Climate Anxiety 

Are you experiencing climate anxiety? If so, this workshop is perfect for you! This is a chance to talk about and express these difficult emotions. Through guided discussion, reflective journaling, and mindful moments shared over warm tea, students will learn to process these difficult emotions and find grounding in a community of students who feel the same way. This is a partnership with the Mental Health Peers.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 2/10/2026, 5:00-6:00pm
📍 Location:  Methodist Community Garden, 892 Camino Del Sur, Goleta, CA 93117 (Corner of Sueno and Camino Del Sur) 

2/12 - The World Still Turns: Releasing Daily Worries 

Are stressful thoughts stuck in your head? Join us through a scenic walk as we explore expansive natural landscapes, reminding us of how much big the Universe and our ecosytem are.  Through this activity you will learn about the resilience of nature and reconnect with your own internal resilience.  

📅 Date: Thursday, Feb. 12 @ 3:30PM - 4:30PM
📍 Location: Meet at Sierra Madre Villages Center (we will explore North Campus Open Space together from there!)

2/17 - Anxiety & Art: Hands-On Healing

Take a deep breath, get cozy, and let your hands lead the way to calm.
This workshop is all about easing anxiety through gentle, hands-on creativity like cross-stitching, and hands on crafting. When your hands are busy, your mind has space to settle, and this session is designed to help you experience that soothing shift.
You’ll learn simple, beginner-friendly stitching techniques while exploring how tactile activities can ground you, reduce stress, and create moments of stillness. No experience is needed, just a willingness to slow down and try something new.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 2/17/2026, 11:15 - 1:30pm
📍 Location:  Sea Lookout Park

2/20 - Wing-Stop: How to Build Birdhouses

Birds can be your own eyes in the sky! Gardens are prey to lots of pest including ground squirrels, time to use the power of predators! Come learn how the natural circle of life (predatory birds) can you keep pest from your garden. We'll do some group creation of predator bird boxes to give your plants a chance!

📅 Date: Friday, 2/20/2026, 2:00 - 3:00pm
📍 Location:  Storke Family Student Housing

2/20 - Succulent Planting Workshop

Join us for a free garden workshop where we will be planting succulents at Methodist Community Garden! No prior gardening experience is necessary.

📅 Date: Feb. 20th @ 3 PM - 4 PM
📍 Location: St. Mike's Community Garden

2/20 - Sips of Self-Care: Tea Blending Experience

Are you looking for relaxation and self-love this February? Come join us at the West Campus Family Student Housing Garden to make your own tea bag with natural herbs! Short meditation, discussion about self-love, tea bag making. This is a collaboration with Hot Girl Hustle, a UCSB student organization and the Edible Campus Program. 

📅 Date: Friday, February 20th, 2026 3pm-4pm
📍 Location: St. Mike's Community Garden 

2) Isla Vista Garden Clubs 

We host weekly garden club meetings at St. Michael's Community Garden & Methodist Community Garden. This is a great space to make new friends and become a leader in our community by helping decide what we plant. No sign up is necessary, just bring yourself! 

• St. Mike's Garden Club meets from 4-5pm on Wednesdays. 
  
• Methodist Garden Club meets from 2:30-3:30 on Fridays. 

3) Upcoming SMLs and Garden Volunteer Days

Please click on the links below to sign up! No prior gardening experience is needed to volunteer with us.

2/14 - Storke Family Housing Garden 

2/21 - 3 Sisters 4 Directions Garden

2/22 - Greenhouse & Garden Project

_________________________

That's all for this week's newsletter. Thank you for supporting our program. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

Best, 

Elizabeth Lane