TULSA, OK – [November 10, 2016] – Community volunteers will install an edible food forest at Challenger 7 Park, 3909 W. 41st. St., on Saturday, November 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A food forest is a self-sustaining, edible landscape that should require little maintenance, less mowing for the City of Tulsa and can serve as a source of nutrition to the community for years to come. The project is an initiative of the Tulsa Health Department and Pathways to Health, with funding from a Plan4Health grant.
“The Plan4Health grant has provided funds and resources to help Tulsa County combat two determinants of chronic diseases – lack of physical activity and lack of access to nutritious foods,” said THD Shared Use Specialist Chad Call. “The goal of this food forest is to be a sustainable source of fresh, healthy foods for local residents.”
On Saturday, volunteers will help install the garden by sheet mulching, moving bricks, building berms, marking tree sites, planting, and learning about food forestry and permaculture gardening. The food forest can be expected to produce some ground crops beginning in the spring. Tree crops can be expected to produce within five years.
Partners on the project include the Challenger 7 Community Garden Volunteer Coordinator Karen Nelson, the City of Tulsa Parks Department, the Tulsa Community Garden Association, OSU Extension Center, Cities of Service Resilience Americorps VISTA , Webster High School Athletics, Tulsa Food Security Council, Green Country Permaculture, and Greencore.
For more information about food forests and the Plan4Health program, please contact Chad Call at ccall@tulsa-health.org or 918-595-4433.
Plan4Health
Plan4Health is a multi-year effort that strengthens the connection between planning and public health. Seventy-five percent of the program’s funding supports local and state coalitions working to advance public health through better planning and partnerships, specifically through leveraging skills and evidence-based strategies. The program is implemented in partnership with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and represents a major new collaboration between planners and public health professionals. Funding for Plan4Health was provided through an award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
