Building upon the success of our inaugural Miyawaki Project at San Martin last year, we are now embarking on a new forest initiative within the confines of a backyard in Morgan Hill at 19331 Saffron Dr. We are looking to make use of the invaluable lessons learned from our previous forest development effort to ensure the success of this endeavor.
Under its physical wellness mission, Vasudha is undertaking the development of Miyawaki Urban Forests as a means of combating climate change. Miyawaki Urban Forest development is a proven concept that individuals can collectively contribute to the fight against climate change and restore biodiversity that has been lost due to urbanization. In contrast to conventional landscapes and tree plantations, forests created using the Miyawaki Method exhibit a tenfold growth rate and possess a threefold increase in green surface area. They are characterized by a rich biodiversity. The Miyawaki Method is entirely natural and devoid of chemical interventions. These forests retain groundwater, thereby replenishing the groundwater table. They attract a diverse array of birds, produce native fruits, and enhance air quality. Moreover, their implementation is relatively straightforward, as even a small forest can be developed within a 10×10 square foot backyard.
Vasudha will be using the Miyawaki methods established by Shubhendu Sharma of Afforestt and local expertise of Ms Neelam Patil of International Association for Human Values along with experiences from our earlier efforts to work on this forest.
As previously mentioned in our posts, we initiated an endeavor to establish a Miyawaki Forest in San Martin, California. This initiative aims to provide us with firsthand experience in the intricacies associated with cultivating a Miyawaki Forest employing the methodologies pioneered by Akira Miyawaki. The primary objectives of this endeavor are to combat climate change and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
We are pleased to provide an update on our ongoing efforts on this forest. Following extensive land preparation efforts commencing in October 2023, we successfully prepared the land and initiated the first phase of our plantation on June 2, 2024.
During this phase we planted 97 native plants mostly consisting of Western Sycamore, Valley Oak, Coast Live Oak, and Arroyo Willow.
Following are some pictures from this effort on June 2nd, which was supported by about 15 volunteers.
After this plantation, we realized that we should make it more dense by increasing the number of plants in each square meter to about 3 to 5. So we added another 147 plants consisting of the same native mix of plants on September 15 2024. Following are the pictures from this plantation effort which was supported by about 50 volunteers for the whole day.
Over the last 3 months the forest has grown pretty well and following is a recent picture of how it currently looks as on December 27 2024.
We look forward to continue to make a difference to the environment with more such activities.
Vasudha is excited to share further updates on this Miyawaki Forest Development initiative that was announced earlier. This is an initiative we have taken up using the expertise in this area of Miyawaki Forest Development by International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and Afforestt.com. Over the last couple of months we have done a lot of prep work to get ready for the plantation. Our activities so far included soil testing, setting up drip irrigation system, site audit for possible native plants that can thrive in the area, procuring necessary soil amendment, procuring mulch for covering the top soil, forest design, and procuring the necessary plants.
Following is the result of our audit for native plants in the area:
Based on the audit, we have come up with for the following plantation design:
With all this prep work behind us, we are now looking to do the heavy lifting of soil digging with back hoe, natural soil amendment mixing and plantation. Following are the activities planned in the next two weekends:
Date
Time
Activity
02/24/2024
10 am to 4 pm
1. Moving the 14 cubic yards of soil amendment from road side to actual forest site on wheel barrows 2. Removing the grass layer using a sod cutter for 44 X 14 ft forest area
We will get started on moving the soil amendment starting from 10 am and around 12 we will start on sod cutting work. Volunteers can join as per their convenience
02/25/2024
10 am to 4 pm
Finish any left over from the above work on Sunday. But we aim to finish the above work on Saturday and take rest on Sunday.
03/02/2024
10 am to 6 pm
1. Dig the 44 X 14 ft forest area for 3 ft depth with a Back Hoe, mix up that soil with soil amendment and put it back 2. Plant 97 plants and connect dripping system.
We will get started on digging work starting at 10 am and plan to do the planting in the afternoon. Volunteers can join as per their convenience
03/03/2024
10 am to 4 pm
Finish any left over from the above work on Sunday. Again we aim to finish the work on Saturday and take rest on Sunday.
We would like all nature lovers to join us as part of this wonderful activity to rejuvenate Mother Earth and lend us a hand in the effort involved.
Address of the location where above forest is being developed is 14815, Monterey Rd, San Martin, CA – 95046.
If you are looking to join in one or more days of the above plan, please signup at this event page. Please get your water bottle, gloves and any other utensils like shovels, wheel barrows, etc that could be used for the work. Please wear proper boots as the land is wet with grass on it. Based on the number of people present at noon time, we can order some pizza for lunch. We will have some snacks and a water container. Get your own water bottle so that you can refill and we can avoid using more plastic.
Vasudha has been continuing to work with our partner organization PENS Sahyog Foundation in Maharashtra in setting up up skill centers. This is an initiative we have started working with them since 2022 and hundreds of people have been getting supported through these skill centers. Based on the interest of the people from surrounding villages, we have now expanded these skill centers to 4 locations: Vangaon, Tarapur, Nandgaon, and Palghar. Vasudha is supporting these skill centers through the initial investment of machines needed for the skill centers, salary for a trainer, and the materials needed at the center.
Based on a request Vasudha received from the principal of Pedagollapalem Primary School in Singarayakonda Mandal, Prakasham Dt, Andhra Pradesh, Vasudha is now supporting this primary school with a Vidya Volunteer who can assist them in teaching the 60+ students in this understaffed school. Half of these students are migrated from Bihar and are not aware of the local language and needs additional effort from the teachers to make them progress with their studies. With this situation, school needed additional staff. Though they have requested the government, they are yet to receive a volunteer teacher. Vasudha is looking to support the school until such help is provided by the government. Vasudha is paying Rs 5000 per month to this Vidya Volunteer starting January 2024 as a honorarium.
Vasudha team in collaboration with Pens Sahayog Foundation is helping to improve the education in the rural areas. As a part of this effort, we are providing free after school tuitions for underprivileged students from 6th to 8th grade for 2 big schools in Kainad Morepada. As part of this effort Vasudha is providing teacher salaries for two teachers Priyanka and Sweeti. This is a program taken up by PENS for the calendar year from June-23 to May-24. Vasudha has committed to provide salaries of Rs 10K each for these teachers from December-23 to May-24.
At the beginning of the new year 2024, Vasudha team has distributed 200 woolen blankets to Tekulagudem village residents to help handle the winter temperatures in the area. For the last few years Vasudha team has been helping people in the rural villages with blanket distribution. In the past we have done this in several villages of Asifabad district and also in a village of Kodada. This year we have done the blanket distribution in Tekulagudem, Khammam. Police officer Mr. Ramarao that has been working with Vasudha team since his Asifabad days has helped coordinate this distribution in Tekulagudem, Khammam.
Vasudha is pleased to provide an update of its activities over the last 5 years.
Vasudha has successfully completed 5 years in operation. During these 5 years, we have taken up 80+ projects spending about 84 lakh rupees ($103K+) helping about 20,000+ people across Bay Area California, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.
Thank you all for making this possible. Let us measure ourselves by how we are able to expand our consciousness to connect with the oneness that is powering the whole universe by serving more and more people that are less fortunate than us.
In December 2023, Vasudha team visited Telangana Tribal Welfare Degree College, Junior College and Model School to encourage them to learn right values as they grow up through their education. As part of International Yoga Day 2023, Vasudha team has conducted various competitions (Yoga, Elocution, Essay Writing) across these colleges to make them think beyond themselves and provided a number of prizes as encouragement.
In December 2023, Vasudha team visited our production tailoring center at Jainoor in Asifabad district of Telangana to understand how well it is utilized so far. It hasn’t been utilized to our satisfaction so far, as the trained women are facing their own difficulties in using the center on a regular basis. Only few of them are able to utilize. We have informed them to use it regularly or else we would like to move the machinery to Tiryani where we expect more people to benefit from it.
Posted: January 4, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment
Miyawaki Forest Development at Morgan Hill
Building upon the success of our inaugural Miyawaki Project at San Martin last year, we are now embarking on a new forest initiative within the confines of a backyard in Morgan Hill at 19331 Saffron Dr. We are looking to make use of the invaluable lessons learned from our previous forest development effort to ensure the success of this endeavor.
Under its physical wellness mission, Vasudha is undertaking the development of Miyawaki Urban Forests as a means of combating climate change. Miyawaki Urban Forest development is a proven concept that individuals can collectively contribute to the fight against climate change and restore biodiversity that has been lost due to urbanization. In contrast to conventional landscapes and tree plantations, forests created using the Miyawaki Method exhibit a tenfold growth rate and possess a threefold increase in green surface area. They are characterized by a rich biodiversity. The Miyawaki Method is entirely natural and devoid of chemical interventions. These forests retain groundwater, thereby replenishing the groundwater table. They attract a diverse array of birds, produce native fruits, and enhance air quality. Moreover, their implementation is relatively straightforward, as even a small forest can be developed within a 10×10 square foot backyard.
Vasudha will be using the Miyawaki methods established by Shubhendu Sharma of Afforestt and local expertise of Ms Neelam Patil of International Association for Human Values along with experiences from our earlier efforts to work on this forest.
Posted: December 28, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment
Miyawaki Forest at San Martin, California, our small attempt at giving back to Mother Earth
As previously mentioned in our posts, we initiated an endeavor to establish a Miyawaki Forest in San Martin, California. This initiative aims to provide us with firsthand experience in the intricacies associated with cultivating a Miyawaki Forest employing the methodologies pioneered by Akira Miyawaki. The primary objectives of this endeavor are to combat climate change and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
We are pleased to provide an update on our ongoing efforts on this forest. Following extensive land preparation efforts commencing in October 2023, we successfully prepared the land and initiated the first phase of our plantation on June 2, 2024.
During this phase we planted 97 native plants mostly consisting of Western Sycamore, Valley Oak, Coast Live Oak, and Arroyo Willow.
Following are some pictures from this effort on June 2nd, which was supported by about 15 volunteers.
After this plantation, we realized that we should make it more dense by increasing the number of plants in each square meter to about 3 to 5. So we added another 147 plants consisting of the same native mix of plants on September 15 2024. Following are the pictures from this plantation effort which was supported by about 50 volunteers for the whole day.
Over the last 3 months the forest has grown pretty well and following is a recent picture of how it currently looks as on December 27 2024.
We look forward to continue to make a difference to the environment with more such activities.
Last Updated: February 22, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment
Update on Miyawaki Forest Development at San Martin, California
Vasudha is excited to share further updates on this Miyawaki Forest Development initiative that was announced earlier. This is an initiative we have taken up using the expertise in this area of Miyawaki Forest Development by International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and Afforestt.com. Over the last couple of months we have done a lot of prep work to get ready for the plantation. Our activities so far included soil testing, setting up drip irrigation system, site audit for possible native plants that can thrive in the area, procuring necessary soil amendment, procuring mulch for covering the top soil, forest design, and procuring the necessary plants.
Following is the result of our audit for native plants in the area:
Based on the audit, we have come up with for the following plantation design:
With all this prep work behind us, we are now looking to do the heavy lifting of soil digging with back hoe, natural soil amendment mixing and plantation. Following are the activities planned in the next two weekends:
2. Removing the grass layer using a sod cutter for 44 X 14 ft forest area
We will get started on moving the soil amendment starting from 10 am and around 12 we will start on sod cutting work. Volunteers can join as per their convenience
2. Plant 97 plants and connect dripping system.
We will get started on digging work starting at 10 am and plan to do the planting in the afternoon. Volunteers can join as per their convenience
We would like all nature lovers to join us as part of this wonderful activity to rejuvenate Mother Earth and lend us a hand in the effort involved.
Address of the location where above forest is being developed is 14815, Monterey Rd, San Martin, CA – 95046.
If you are looking to join in one or more days of the above plan, please signup at this event page. Please get your water bottle, gloves and any other utensils like shovels, wheel barrows, etc that could be used for the work. Please wear proper boots as the land is wet with grass on it. Based on the number of people present at noon time, we can order some pizza for lunch. We will have some snacks and a water container. Get your own water bottle so that you can refill and we can avoid using more plastic.
Posted: January 20, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment
Saksham Skill Centers Expanded to 4 Locations
Vasudha has been continuing to work with our partner organization PENS Sahyog Foundation in Maharashtra in setting up up skill centers. This is an initiative we have started working with them since 2022 and hundreds of people have been getting supported through these skill centers. Based on the interest of the people from surrounding villages, we have now expanded these skill centers to 4 locations: Vangaon, Tarapur, Nandgaon, and Palghar. Vasudha is supporting these skill centers through the initial investment of machines needed for the skill centers, salary for a trainer, and the materials needed at the center.
Posted: January 20, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment
Vidya Volunteer for Pedagollapalem Primary School in Prakasham Dt
Based on a request Vasudha received from the principal of Pedagollapalem Primary School in Singarayakonda Mandal, Prakasham Dt, Andhra Pradesh, Vasudha is now supporting this primary school with a Vidya Volunteer who can assist them in teaching the 60+ students in this understaffed school. Half of these students are migrated from Bihar and are not aware of the local language and needs additional effort from the teachers to make them progress with their studies. With this situation, school needed additional staff. Though they have requested the government, they are yet to receive a volunteer teacher. Vasudha is looking to support the school until such help is provided by the government. Vasudha is paying Rs 5000 per month to this Vidya Volunteer starting January 2024 as a honorarium.
Posted: January 7, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment
Gurukilli Magical Library
Vasudha team in collaboration with Pens Sahayog Foundation is helping to improve the education in the rural areas. As a part of this effort, we are providing free after school tuitions for underprivileged students from 6th to 8th grade for 2 big schools in Kainad Morepada. As part of this effort Vasudha is providing teacher salaries for two teachers Priyanka and Sweeti. This is a program taken up by PENS for the calendar year from June-23 to May-24. Vasudha has committed to provide salaries of Rs 10K each for these teachers from December-23 to May-24.
Posted: January 7, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment
Blanket Distribution at Tekulagudem, Khammam Dt
At the beginning of the new year 2024, Vasudha team has distributed 200 woolen blankets to Tekulagudem village residents to help handle the winter temperatures in the area. For the last few years Vasudha team has been helping people in the rural villages with blanket distribution. In the past we have done this in several villages of Asifabad district and also in a village of Kodada. This year we have done the blanket distribution in Tekulagudem, Khammam. Police officer Mr. Ramarao that has been working with Vasudha team since his Asifabad days has helped coordinate this distribution in Tekulagudem, Khammam.
Posted: December 28, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Vasudha Update – December 2023
Vasudha is pleased to provide an update of its activities over the last 5 years.
Vasudha has successfully completed 5 years in operation. During these 5 years, we have taken up 80+ projects spending about 84 lakh rupees ($103K+) helping about 20,000+ people across Bay Area California, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.
Thank you all for making this possible. Let us measure ourselves by how we are able to expand our consciousness to connect with the oneness that is powering the whole universe by serving more and more people that are less fortunate than us.
Posted: December 28, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Encouragement to Students at Asifabad Colleges
In December 2023, Vasudha team visited Telangana Tribal Welfare Degree College, Junior College and Model School to encourage them to learn right values as they grow up through their education. As part of International Yoga Day 2023, Vasudha team has conducted various competitions (Yoga, Elocution, Essay Writing) across these colleges to make them think beyond themselves and provided a number of prizes as encouragement.
Posted: December 28, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Jainoor Production Center Updates
In December 2023, Vasudha team visited our production tailoring center at Jainoor in Asifabad district of Telangana to understand how well it is utilized so far. It hasn’t been utilized to our satisfaction so far, as the trained women are facing their own difficulties in using the center on a regular basis. Only few of them are able to utilize. We have informed them to use it regularly or else we would like to move the machinery to Tiryani where we expect more people to benefit from it.
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