Greywater Systems
Greywater Systems Installation Workshop
Demonstration, Installation, Permit Considerations
May 22 9 am to 4 pm
See a demonstration and learn how to install a cost-efficient, eco-friendly, greywater system LEGALLY in the Town of Paradise.
About this Event
Come join the Camp Fire Restoration Project and Paradise Permaculture for a day of learning about greywater systems and their role in our communities. California is experiencing an increase in wildfire occurrences and severity, exasperated by drought conditions. Greywater systems are a cost-efficient, eco-friendly, LEGAL way to recycle your household water and create lush, healthy defensible space around your home.
Learn from local permaculture expert Ed Fortenberry, local contractors, and a licensed plumber who can speak to the permits and codes relating to greywater systems in California and Paradise specifically. Come prepared with all of your questions! There will be a full day of learning, community, and hands-on fun to be had by all.
SCHEDULE:
PART ONE: 9am – 12pm: Greywater System Education and Demonstration
Location: Julian Martinez’s home 8742 Nugget Ln. Paradise CA
Demonstration greywater system walk through and learn about:
- Greywater systems and installations for the Town of Paradise and Butte County;
- How to choose the right setup for your home;
- Do’s and don’ts when maintaining your system;
- How greywater can be an asset to your defensible space and environmental restoration; and
- Permitting considerations and Town of Paradise and County requirements.
PART TWO: 1pm – 5pm: Greywater System Installation
Location: 14981 Jack Pine Way, Magalia, CA
We’ll take you through the process of installing a greywater system from start to finish!
Please SIGN UP HERE as space is limited.
We will also be live streaming the demonstration and education portions of the event from 10am to noon on our Facebook page. Join in the Facebook Event HERE.
PLEASE NOTE:
We will be observing COVID-19 protocols during this event, including masks and social distancing.
Plan to have transportation for you and your pod during the lunch break (12 noon), as we will be moving to another site for the installation (the drive is only a few miles, and parking will be available for numerous vehicles).
We’ll provide some tasty local snacks and beverages
Bring a bag lunch if you’d like something more substantial or you can grab something in town during the break.
Recommended to bring water, sun protection, gloves, closed toed shoes, and a chair.
This workshop is free, but we always appreciate donations from those who would like to support our efforts and future events!
Planting Fruit Trees in the Burn Scar
510 Fruit and nut trees donated by Dave Wilson Nursery and Fowler Nursery were planted in the burn scar this Spring Equinox weekend, March 20 and 21, 2021. Thank you so much to our donors! Dave Wilson’s team came and planted at the Paradise Ridge Elementary School with us on Saturday after delivering 350 bare root fruit and nut trees.
Gratitude as well to K Organics, Catalyst Bio Amendments, Crystalline Earth Movement and Butte Strong Fund for their donations.
Thank you as always to North Valley Community Foundation for funding our work.
The goal of this event is to add food security, reduce fire risk, and heal the land while building community connections. We are so grateful for our newest member to CFRP Wayne Hill who made the connections with the nurseries and brought his idea of food forests to heal the burn scar to us to make manifest. We have also been graced to be joined by Kelly Meyers a Paradise native who is now in Santa Cruz but on our board of directors. Amelia Erikson joined Carl to lead the Concow hub for distribution of 200 trees there. Over 100 volunteers including 3 from the Paradise Fire Department showed up to help plant the trees.
Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to all the recipients and tenders of the fruit and nut trees. We look forwards to sharing abundance of food with you all in the coming years.
Action News Now covered the event on Saturday. See the video HERE.
Donors (8)
NVCF/Butte Strong Fund
Dave Wilson
Fowler
Catalyst Bio-amendments
K Organics (KOFrass.com)
Tractor Supply
Crystalline Earth Movement
Tractor Supply-Oroville
Sandor Hatvany
Partner Organizations (5)
Centerville Museum
Center For Spiritual Living
Sol Sanctuary
Pines Yankee Hill Hardware Store
Camp Fire Zone Project
Public Recipients (11)
Paradise Alliance Church
Paradise Irrigation District Teaching Garden
Paradise Ridge Elementary School
Paradise Stronger
Green Paradise Cafe
Theatre on the Ridge
Crain Park
Concow Campground
Magalia Community Church
Sol Sanctuary
Concow Community Garden
Volunteer Groups (15)
CCC
Americorps
4-H
Cal Fire
Butte County Local Foods
Concow Meadows Research Station
Camp Fire Zone Project
Paradise Community Guild
Paradise Permaculture
Butte College Phi Theta Kappa
Hidden Farm
Paradise Irrigation District Teaching Garden
Magalia Community Church
Paradise Stronger
Paradise Green Cafe
Sweep Out the Broom Full Video
Check out the latest Respectful Revolution update from the Sweep Out the Broom Workshop in October! Stacey, Matthew and Gerard did an amazing job as always. We are so lucky to have them on our team.
The Camp Fire Restoration Project presents:
“Sweep Out the Broom” – a workshop on Replacing Broom and Building Soil, Without Poisons.
We’ve all gotten lots of advice…
Pulling Broom by hand, or with a back-breaking “Weed Wrench”? (Nope.)
Using that frightening Brush Hog? (No way!)
Spraying Roundup?? (PLEASE don’t)
As local permaculture practitioner and educator Matthew Trumm says, “Sometimes, you have to make a choice – do I want to keep fighting nature? Or do I want to help that (ancient forest) system move forward?”
In response to growing pressure to remove invasive and flammable Scotch Broom (Spanish and French Broom as well) from their burned out properties around the Camp Fire burn scar, some residents have resorted to using herbicides – the last thing we need to be adding to this already traumatized ecosystem. Broom, when it is in bloom, is showy and beautiful, and has been a part of this area for as long as any of us can remember. But after a fire, it can become a real problem.
This past October, the Camp Fire Restoration Project offered a Covid-safe, hands-on workshop presented by our friend and founder, Matthew Trumm, focusing on how to diligently remove aggressive Broom plants the natural way.
Believe it or not, Scotch, Spanish and French Broom plants are present in our fire-scarred landscapes because they have a part to play. And we can actually utilize them to greatly improve soil conditions in our area. As Bill Mollison, the founder and “father” of permaculture has famously stated, “The problem IS the solution”. Watch and see the proof for yourself! We can keep doing the same thing over and over, year after year…OR we can mimic what nature does and handle Broom another way.
Hands-on labor IS required, but using the techniques presented here turns it from a yearly or bi-yearly grind, into more of a one- or two-time effort. Don’t believe us? We invite you to check out our latest educational video, produced by our partners at the Respectful Revolution Project, and let Matthew offer another option…you won’t only learn HOW to abate Broom on your property naturally and with less long-term effort, but you might also broaden your perspective on this invasive plant.
No spraying. No pulling. No problem!
Also, please check out this great video for action you can take during COVID-19.
TEK Wildtending Days Verbena Fields
Verbena Fields Wildtending Days
Join us each month at Verbena Fields to learn about TEK keystone native plants and how to help restore them to revive native ecosystem habitats.
Event Details: Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) refers to the generations of observations, learning, and wisdom that indigenous peoples have about their lands and ecosystems. Ali Meders-Knight, a local Mechoopda Tribal member and Master Traditional Ecological Practitioner, is partnering up with Raphael DiGenova, a local seed collector and nursery magician, and Camp Fire Restoration Project, to bring you a monthly TEK Wildtending Plant walk. Come learn about TEK, the 10 year indigenous-led restoration project at Verbena Fields, native plants and their cycles throughout the year, and how we can be better stewards of these plants and these lands. The event will be held the last Tuesday of the month from 4-6pm. Times may change with the season.
Participants are encouraged to bring water, gloves, hat, close-toed shoes, notebook, and pen. Please note there are no bathrooms on site.
Participants are also encouraged to volunteer with Ali at Verbena Fields every Friday from 10am-1pm to support the continued restoration of that land.
You can also DONATE HERE to support the ongoing work of Camp Fire Restoration Project and this walk.
Read an article from the Chico ER about the event HERE.
Read the article in Real Dirt HERE.
Fire Resilience on Your Land: Water Flow and Soil Hydration
Our Earthworks Event in collaboration with Concow Meadows Research Station was fantastic! What a beautiful day for digging swale ditches, sinking water, learning lazer and A-frame leveling skills, community building and sharing love with Mother Earth!
Thank you to Respectful Revolution, Concow Meadows Research Station,
Chico Natural Foods Cooperative for the Goddess bars, Natalie Hanson-Ross and ChicoER for the reporting. And of course to North Valley Community Foundation’s Butte Strong Fund for supporting our ability to do any of this work!
Thank you to all who attended, for your hands on engagement, energy, knowledge and community building. We are so grateful for each and every one of you and we hope you learned some skills to apply to your own land or wherever you are joining in Earthworks. Below are the videos of the Facebook livestreams and pictures from the event. 🍀💦🏞🌎🌍🌏🌱🍃🌿🎋🌳🌲
🌧💧💦🌧🌦***NOTE*** The rain date has become our new event date, February 20 due to rain happening on February 13. Concow Meadows will still be working on the 13th, and all are welcome to come still for an action day pre event prep day if you don’t mind being in the rain. You are still welcome on the main event day on the 20th if you choose to help on the 13th. Any questions, please email campfirerestorationproject@gmail.com.
When the soil on your land is full of water, it withstands fire better. To teach how to help your soil retain water, Camp Fire Restoration Project, in collaboration with Concow Meadows Research Station, will host a workshop called “Fire Resilience on Your Land: Water Flow and Soil Hydration” from 9am–5pm on Saturday, February 13th (rain date Saturday Feb 20th) at the Concow Meadows Research Station, 13550 Hog Ranch Rd. in Concow.
This hands-on workshop will give you the skills to optimally tend to the water that runs through your land. You will learn soil hydrating principles and practice techniques with a team of other participants. At the end of the workshop, you will have the opportunity to offer a group project on your own land.
Workshop begins at 9 AM. Bring drinking water, a sack lunch, COVID mask, gloves, and a shovel and lopping shears, if you have them.
In-person participation is limited, so please register early at Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.
The event will be livestreamed through the CFRP Facebook page for those who cannot make it in person. Register at Eventbrite to be reminded and sent a link.
Concow Meadows Research Station is on Hog Ranch Rd, off Concow Road, 8 miles past the Dome Store. The last two miles are somewhat rugged; safe carpooling is recommended and the Dome Store is a good place to self-organize. Parking at the site is available but must be inside the designated fenced-in area.
Please also visit CFRP’s Facebook page and Facebook Event, Like and Share.
For more information about the workshop, please contact campfirerestorationproject@gmail.com.
If you are interested in coming on February 6th to help set up or on a later date to help finalize the project, please contact Robin Woolner at squidswillbsquids@gmail.com
Concow Meadows Research Station
Hydrology Workshop Agenda
February 20, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/events/421366412504604
This hands-on workshop is going to provide participants the resources and structure to learn how to move water across their land in such a way that their ecosystem is improved and land more fire resilient. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in constructing a swale on an extremely unique land form. They will walk away with new skills, new ideas and new relations. The intention for this workshop is to catalyze a community of practice around land stewardship which will continue to gather.
9:00-10:00 Arrival
Greet participants, sign papers, show location of workshop and toilets
Brush clearing
Informal Conversations
Build fire
10:00-10:30 Introductions
Who are you, how are you and what brought you here?
10:30-11:00 Lecture (Livestreamed on CFRP Page as well)
Soil hydrology and fire resilience (5m)
Principles of earthworks (5m)
Techniques of earthworks (5m)
11:00-12:00 Tour (Livestreamed on CFRP Page as well)
Calculating water volume
Demonstrating the work we will be doing (workflow and goals)
Demonstrating the measuring of contour lines
Protocols for landscape observation
12:00-1:00 LUNCH
1:00-3:00 Work
Teams will be divided and will dig sections of the swale
Clearing brush with Ed
Hanging out by the fire
3:00-3:30 Soft closing (group gathers)
Questions
Next step for the group.
3:30-5:00 Finish work
Bear Fire Watershed Protection and Education
Camp Fire Restoration Project Sponsors Watershed Protection and Education Event for Bear Fire Survivors
What exactly is a compost sock, and what does it have to do with toxic run-off after a wildfire?
Survivors of the recent North Complex/Bear Fire had an opportunity to learn all about compost socks, wattles, bioremediation, erosion control, and the importance of preventing toxic ash runoff from going into soils, wells, and our shared watersheds at the Camp Fire Restoration Project’s Watershed Protection and Education event.
Local nonprofit organization The Camp Fire Restoration Project partnered up with Eco-Restoration Camps-California (ERC-CA), local fire survivor Matthew Trumm of Treetop Permaculture, and other organizations to offer this free community event on Saturday, December 5th, 2020 from 10 am until 12 noon Berry Creek Community Church, 1461 Bald Rock Rd.)
Other organizations who were on hand include the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, the Berry Creek Citizens Council, Butte Remediation, and more.
A wattle and compost sock placement demonstration took place at the event at 10:00 a.m. The demonstration covered why, when, where, and how to properly install sediment control materials. Information and experts were available throughout the morning to assist landowners with questions and concerns, potential funding opportunities and other remediation info. There was even be a tree giveaway!
As a result of fundraising efforts by Trumm, the Camp Fire Restoration Project and Eco-Restoration Camps of California, multiple Berry Creek residents whose properties were destroyed in the Bear Fire have been pre-selected by lottery to receive post-fire remediation materials, such as compost socks and wattles for their land at no cost. Partial donations also came from Filtrexx, a manufacturer of compost socks, as well as one of their distributors, K&K Construction Supply. All lottery recipients steward land which has been determined to be in a critical watershed location and has not been addressed by any government program.
Compost socks, or compost filter socks are a type of wattle with a mesh tube that is filled with compost. They are a simple technology that, when properly placed, can help filter and remediate toxic ash runoff from moving through fire-ravaged properties and into water sources such as private wells and local watersheds.
Toxic ash runoff is a primary concern when a large-scale fire, such as the Camp Fire or the North Complex Fire, rips through residential areas. Cars, homes and many of the materials people use in their daily lives are highly toxic, even more so when those things come into contact with fire. The burned artifacts left behind leach pollutants into the ground and waterways with added water–a huge concern once the rainy season gets into full swing, as the entire burn scar sits atop the vital Feather River watershed, including Lake Oroville.
Wattles and compost socks are also extremely helpful with post-fire erosion during winter rains.
In the wake of the Bear Fire, the organizers of the December 5th event hope that the gathering will assist in creating a positive, hands-on response to some of the serious concerns that linger long after the fire is out. By helping local landowners protect their land and watershed from toxic runoff and erosion through distributing remediation materials, teaching folks how to install them, and putting folks in touch with ways to get materials through state programs and insurance policies, the organizers also hope to bring attention to the idea that what happens here affects what happens downstream.
Facilitators also encouraged community members to come together and help their neighbors get this vital work accomplished, together, like an old fashioned “barn raising.”
Water is Life, and we have the opportunity to participate and steward this precious natural element for ourselves and future generations. Our community affects everyone downstream, California’s watershed, farmland, and all who live in this beautiful state. We can make a huge difference together!
https://www.facebook.com/events/3242324905897137/
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Thank you so much to:
Filtrexx
For the compost socks (including16 pallets donated) and participation in distribution.
https://www.facebook.com/filtrexxns/
https://www.facebook.com/filtrexx/
K&K Construction who donated 2 pallets and discounted the whole order
–Lowes in Chico
Wattles donated (1 pallet)
National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) https://www.facebook.com/groups/USDA.NRCS
Butte County Fire Safe Council
https://www.facebook.com/buttefiresafe
Hedgerow Farms
for the seed donations
https://www.facebook.com/Hedgerow-Farms-186304081408647
Ecosystem Restoration Camps
for the fundraising
https://www.facebook.com/Ecosystemrestorationcamps/
https://www.facebook.com/Ecosystem-Restoration-Camps-California-Regional-Hub-104349814684738
Together we can do so much to protect our watershed and regenerate our ecosystems!
Black Friday Seed Planting Action Day Event
Seed Planting at Sol Sanctuary on Black Friday
Our Team gathered the day after Thanksgiving to give back to the land rather than shopping for Black Friday. Led by Raphael DiGenova, our planting was inspired by Ali Medders-Knight, a local Mechoopda Tribe member, in conjunction with the planting at Verbena Fields in Chico, California both Thursday and Friday. Raphael has bins of sorted seeds, labeled for elevation where the plants grow. Mostly what was planted came from the riparian bin as the meadows of Sol Sanctuary are right along a little creek. We also scattered a wildflower seed mix. All seeds have been hand gathered locally by Raphael. It is our hope that these plants take root and offer a living seed library that will be harvestable to spread to the burn scars in widening areas in the coming years.
Oak and Native Tree Giveaway
Oak and Native Tree Giveaway
Camp Fire Restoration Project and Butte County RCD invited Butte County fire survivors to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Camp Fire, by planting native trees to restore and heal our land post-fire. Over the course of three days (Nov. 7th, 8th and 9th) we gave away 2410 native tree saplings and other restoration materials for fire survivors, as well as providing education on how to replant trees in the burn scar. Our intention with this event is to not only provide resources and promote practical action to regenerate our lands, but also to promote hope and healing within our community.
For those who participated, please document and share your pictures, videos, and experiences with us! Email them to campfirerestorationproject@gmail.com or tag us on Facebook.
Available tree species: Blue Oak, Black Oak, Redbud, Elderberry, Dogwood, Amelanchier (Juneberry or serviceberry), & Hollyleaf Cherry
This event was held in partnership with the Butte County RCD, Paradise Revival Festival, Paradise Community Guild, Janel Luke, and Trees for Little People.
We want to give a special THANK YOU to Trees for Little People for the donation of the blue oak saplings, American Forests and Salesforce for funding the black oaks and other native hardwoods, and North Valley Community Foundation’s Butte Strong Fund for funding CFRP!
Butte County Resource Conservation District for all the trees other than the Blue Oaks:
https://www.facebook.com/buttecountyrcd/
Trees for Little People for the Blue Oak donation
https://www.facebook.com/treesforlittlepeople/
Paradise Revival Festival for hosting the online events
https://www.facebook.com/regeneratingparadise/
https://www.facebook.com/events/656650351906116/
Our Event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/784928258740377
Action News Now Coverage
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/video/573009041.html
Together, we are making a huge difference regenerating our forests and nourishing our community.
Thank you for following us in implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.
Sweep Out the Broom and Small Garden Workshop
Due to the COVID restrictions of 2020, we have been focusing our Camps on Workshops for education and support in regeneration of the ecosystems here in Butte County. It is our hope that the information and education is applicable as a model for regeneration after disasters such as the Camp Fire and North Complex/Bear Fire.
Our first round of Workshops was the Sweep Out the Broom and Growing Your Garden in Small Spaces Workshops on October 18, 2020 at the Paradise Community Guild former location of the Norton Buffalo Hall. Matthew Trumm led “Sweep Out the Broom: Weed Abatement Without Roundup.” Jennifer Peterson led “Urban Gardening: Grow Your Garden in Small Spaces.” Dan Joseph led Workday projects of watering, weeding, and spreading wood chips for the community garden. We also livestreamed the Event on Facebook for those who wanted to stay home. Here are the videos of that day. Thank you to all who participated!
Urban Gardening: Growing Your Garden in Small Spaces Workshop
This event was held on October 18, 2020 at the Paradise Community Guild and was led by Jennifer Peterson.
Sweep Out the Broom Workshop
This event was held on October 18, 2020 at the Paradise Community Guild and was led by Matthew Trumm.
Sweep Out the Broom Part 1
Sweep Out the Broom Part 2
We are a new model of Ecosystem Restoration Camps where the focus is on this disaster response and relief as part of the Global ERC Camps.
https://ecosystemrestorationcamps.org/
Thank you to our partners for this series:
Paradise Community Guilds
https://www.facebook.com/paradisecommunityguilds
Butte County Local Food Networks
https://www.facebook.com/ButteCountyLocalFoodNetwork
And to our sponsor North Valley Community Foundation
Please support our efforts by visiting our website and make a donation if you can. Thank you for watching!
2020 Camp Events Local Tree Watering
CFRP Action Days for 2020 has included watering Blue Oak trees planted in Concow and Paradise. They were planted in the Spring, so a little help in establishing was necessary. What a joy to water the seedlings and see the new growth!
Gratitude for the generous donation of 400 Blue Oaks from Butte County Resource Conservation District. You can also visit them on Facebook.
Thank you for following us in implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.
