Keeling Curve

Primary Project Category:

Name of Project:

Year Project Originated:

Project Summary / Description:

Friendship Garden is an urban Indigenous garden and ceremonial space designed to be a thriving cultural and ecological haven that honors Indigenous heritage, fosters environmental stewardship, and nurtures community resilience. Through the revitalization of traditional knowledge and sustainable practices on ancestral lands, the garden actively contributes to climate change mitigation by promoting biodiversity, supporting native plant restoration, and implementing regenerative land practices that strengthen the ecosystem and reduce environmental impact.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Removes/stores GHGs (e.g., projects that capture, sequester, or otherwise enhance the "sinks" that accumulate and store GHGs)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

The Friendship House Village Garden and Ceremonial Space empowers underrepresented groups, particularly the approximately 18,000 American Indian people living in San Francisco, who face systemic barriers to health, economic stability, and environmental justice. This Indigenous-led project provides a dedicated space for cultural practices, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and land-based healing to address these challenges.

The garden will include a dedicated ceremonial space for women, honoring their vital role in cultural preservation, community healing, and environmental stewardship. This space will empower Indigenous women by providing a safe and sacred place for ceremonies, gatherings, and leadership development.

Our organization actively engages Native youth, elders, and climate-vulnerable communities through educational programs and green workforce development, fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer and climate resilience. By integrating Indigenous leadership and knowledge, the project amplifies voices historically excluded from the climate movement and advances environmental justice, cultural revitalization, and holistic community well-being. The project will become an example for not only American Indian peoples but for San Francisco and the Nation as well.

Website:

https://friendshiphousehealing.org/

Mission Statement:

The mission of Friendship House is to promote healing and wellness in the Native American community by providing high  quality substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services while integrating cultural and spiritual traditions.

Link: Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/friendshiphousesf/

Link: LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/105027622/admin/dashboard/