What We’re Doing

C4SM’s Nov 2025 French Broom Bash Success! Seven volunteers tackled French Broom on November 14th The Friday, November 14th Broom Bash was a success! Seven volunteers tackled invasive French Broom in two key areas: Imjin Road Crew (Bruce, Kaitlyn, Tim, and Anakin) cleared a wide swath of mature and juvenile broom—even in areas with poison oak. They exceeded their goal with determination and teamwork. East Garrison Crew (Steve, Alan, John, and Julian) focused on Lee Ave Hill, removing mature broom and pulling out short but stubborn regrowth with thick stumps and deep taproots. More maintenance will be needed in that area. Afterward,...

Exciting progress is underway at Del Rey Woods Elementary School in Seaside, where students, parents, teachers, and community volunteers came together on October 17 to plant Monterey County’s first-ever Miyawaki Forest!  Students had already laid the groundwork, turning a patch of dead dirt into nutritious soil – ready for planting.  They prepared the soil by layering cardboard, manure, mulch, and wood chips to build a rich foundation for native trees and plants.   This project is part of CSMC’s community-funded “Big Idea” for 2024-2025, which involves creating Miyawaki-inspired microforests in local schoolyards and public spaces in Monterey County.  Each rapidly growing...