The Vashon Social Forum Series is designed as a means of generating public education and dialogue around key principles of social ecology, while demonstrating some ways that these principles are relevant to issues both local and global. We also aim to link each forum with specific actions and projects that Islanders can take to help build healthier and more ecologically sound communities.
Beall Restoration Program
The Beall Restoration Program is designed as a demonstration project at the historic Beall Greenhouses. This program aims to highlight innovative and practical approaches to restoration and bioremediation that can be applied to seriously contaminated sites such as the Beall property; to encourage community awareness and involvement in such efforts locally and nationally; to establish a practicum opportunity for ongoing student learning; and to integrate and coordinate the work of other ecologically and sustainability-oriented groups and organizations on Vashon and in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area and thus demonstrate a model for cooperative ecological community development.
Vashon Greenmapping Program
The Vashon Greenmapping Program is designed to create a visual inventory of natural, cultural, and green living resources on Vashon. The program involves creating a product, an attractive and accessible map, and a dynamic process of generating inclusive community awareness and participation toward a sustainable future. Through the Greenmapping Program SEEDS aims to strengthen local-global sustainability networks, to expand the demand for healthier, greener choices, to stimulate and celebrate ecological citizenship, and to help successful initiatives spread to more and more communities.
Walk on the Wild Side Program
The Walk on the Wild Side Program is a joint project of SEEDS, the Vashon Parks District, and the Vashon-Maury Community Land Trust. Using maps developed by the District and the Land Trust, experts in fields such as wild edibles, meditation, butterflies, and native vs invasive plants, lead hikers on a number of park trails throughout the Island. These are unique walks, offering a direct form of ecological education, strengthening a vital sense of place, and providing an excellent form of exercise.
Weekend Workshop Program
The Weekend Workshop Program is a three day intensive learning experience bringing together experts in diverse fields of social ecology with activists and community members in a co-teaching, co-learning, environment where all participants are both the teacher and the student. This program constitutes the core of SEEDS interdisciplinary educational mission. The workshops integrate theoretical and hands-on learning in such fields as ecological restoration, community health, media activism, climate-change organizing, eco-art, anti-oppression work, and ecological design within a coherent social ecology framework, and render this learning and framework meaningful in the context of concrete local and regional projects.
Community Supported Activist (CSA) Project
The Community Supported Activist (CSA) Project is a unique approach to both fund and resource development. Contributors choose to donate any amount, be it a larger one time gift or monthly pledge, and the funds are reserved for the project area of their choosing such as a particular forum, weekend workshop, greenmapping, fund development, etc. Then, those funds are used to offset the expenses related to that project, including payment for the (CSA) project lead’s time.
