Much of how the modern world is designed and constructed, causes us to be out of sync with the earth’s natural rhythms and systems. In cities, most of the soil is covered with paving and high-rise buildings, which have far-reaching consequences that extend from how water is recycled, to average temperatures, to the levels of asthma and allergies experienced by its inhabitants. Joining us today to talk about these trends and the immense value that can be found in nature is Pandora Thomas, an Afro-Indigenous Permaculturist who runs EARTHseed farm in Sonoma County, California. We discuss the power of nature as a healing tool, how it helped Pandora recover from debilitating mental health issues, and why she has dedicated her life to introducing this healing power to many more individuals, especially people of color. Listening in you’ll hear Pandora share her journey, how she discovered permaculture, and how she raised the funds to support EARTHseed Farm. She unpacks her favorite definition of Afro-Indigenous permaculture and explains how it draws on African traditions of water use and cultivation. We interrogate the way that Black communities continue to be adversely affected by environmental decisions that were not made by them, and some of the important work being done to facilitate more access to nature in those communities. Later, we identify educational opportunities for introducing children to nature, as well as providing them with opportunities to cultivate their gardening skills. Having Pandora on the show was an honor and a joy. We hope you’ll join us for a thought-provoking perspective on Afro-Indigenous Permaculture, the healing power of nature, and how to love the planet!
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