Analyzing Land Use Changes for Greater Sustainability and Robust Community Support

The project team connected with Keep Growing Detroit, Detroit Collaborative Design Center, and DePave to conduct soil testing, increase community capacity for urban gardening, remove impervious pavement, and develop a landscape architecture plan for the land surrounding the church.

The land has now been cleared of excess brush and a reused shipping container is being installed with a hydroponic growing system.  The landscape architecture plan based on the results of soil sampling, community goals, and requirements for turning a profit on produce is complete and will be implemented in the next growing season.  Church volunteers are ready to tackle the physical work when the weather allows to create garden beds and remove pavement.

The community (the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood) are energized about this project.  In the future, this will be a place where people can come together to learn about and enjoy gardening, purchase produce, and gather.

Acknowledgements

The project team would like to thank Keep Growing Detroit, Charles Cross form Detroit Collaborative Design Center, and Commissioner Ywanda Buckles.  Keep Growing Detroit provided invaluable services including soil lead testing.  Charles Cross listened to community voices and rallied his class at the University of Detroit Mercy to develop a detailed, creative site plan that can realistically be executed.  Commissioner Ywanda Buckles supported the community’s grant proposal for the hydroponic shipping container which will be immensely helpful, enabling the community to grow food all year long.

Acerca de la Comunidad

The community is Nazarene Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. Their membership base is very diverse. Their outreach program (Nazarene Community Outreach) is one of the largest providers of free food to their community and provide other resources such as clothing and shelter. Some community members are even able to gain job experience by helping with these projects. They also provide business training, justice reform meetings, and other training opportunities.

Their primary goal for this project is effective and productive land use where people can gain gardening skills and the church can have a revenue stream by growing and selling produce. The revenue would support the many resources they provide.

Nazarene Baptist learned about Thriving Earth Exchange through a member referral who has done work with TEX in the past. The church has already laid the groundwork for this project. They’ve removed fencing and old trees. They also regularly volunteer with other local organizations to support their missions and learn skills such as composting, growing operations, etc.

Sobre el proyecto 

The church would like to create a community garden to engage, build trust and create relationships within their community. The garden will also provide opportunities for environmental education and skill building. We plan to work with a local organization that helps establish community gardens. The church is also going to host a “town hall” to keep their members informed before the project starts, for September or October.  The project will primarily involve church members and outside community members. These folks will be available to help with any hands-on work that is needed per the guidance of the expert from the beginning to the end of the project. The church has many members who regularly offer their help for various projects. While they may not be experts in these particular areas, they care about the church and community and are eager to help however possible. Because of the impactful work the church does, they often receive help from outside community members for their programs.

The church is currently paying excess fees for water drainage based on the amount of impervious surfaces on the property. They are also paying excess trash pickup fees for the amount of food waste that occurs as a biproduct of food distribution (often food is already too damaged or expired by the time it gets to them or isn’t taken by the community). Part of the output of this project will be decreasing these fees by setting up a water recycling system and composting, both of which also support the garden. Decreasing the fees enables them to funnel more money into providing greater support to their community.

Once completed, the community will have a space to gain the holistic benefits of gardening while contributing to the financial stability of this beloved organization. We hope that this work will encourage other churches and non-profits to do the same kind of projects to be more environmentally sustainable and provide more for their communities. Seeing a struggling, grass roots organization go through this kind of revitalization and provide so much to a community is inspiring.

Líderes comunitarios

Rev. Kevin Harris is the senior Pastor of Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church, located in the historic North End of Detroit, Michigan.  Rev. Harris was elected in 2017 and has brought a social justice orientation to the church and community.  From environmental to criminal justice reform, Nazarene Missionary Baptist has become known as one of the most progressive ministries in the United States under the leadership of Pastor Harris.

Pamela Ruffins is the Outreach Director at Nazarene Baptist Church. She is responsible for weekly food distribution, providing housing and clothing for the unhoused through the ministries shelters for men women and children, and Directs Safe Sleep classes for new and expecting mothers.  Ms. Ruffins is a great asset to Nazarene MBC and the greater Detroit community at large.

Científico comunitario

Charles Cross, ASLA is the Director of Landscape + Urban Design at the Detroit Collaborative Design Center. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and Community Development, where he teaches Site Analysis and Design and advises students in the Master of Architecture and Master of Community Development Programs. Charles is a founding board member of the Black Landscape Architects Network, serves on the Michigan State University Landscape Architecture Alumni Advisory Board, the City College of New York Master of Landscape Architecture Advisory Board and is a member of the Board of Directors at Detroit Future City.

At DCDC Charles has worked on several urban design and landscape design projects with a variety of neighborhoods across the City of Detroit. Recently, these projects have included outdoor community spaces for Higher Ground Abodes and a landscape design for one of Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision’s Chargeway sites. He maintains a firm belief that underserved communities deserve good design and therefore should be the patrons of the process, not just the consumers of the end product. Prior to joining the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, Charles gained valuable experience in the public sector including the US Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service and the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Real Estate Division. He also has experience in the private sector with SmithGroup-JJR, Elizabeth Kennedy Landscape Architects and Artist Mary Miss of New York City. His research interests include historic African American settlements, Underground Railroad heritage sites and cultural asset mapping in Afro Brazilian communities.

Becario científico comunitario 

Paula Baugher is a Volunteer Coordinator for a non-profit near Portland, Oregon. She has a BS in Science and a minor in Geology from Portland State University. She has been dedicated to community engagement and mutual aid for more than a decade. Prior to graduating, she worked in the banking and mortgage industry for 13 years.

Servicio de Parques Nacionales

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Creation Justice Ministries 

Partnering with faith communities to address sustainability and environmental health concerns.