Local Transformations - DFC: A Field Guide Working with Lots

Local Example

Sierra Club of Detroit

Rain Gardens, Rain Barrels, and More

The Detroit chapter of the Sierra Club has been working with residents in northwest Detroit to build and maintain rain gardens since 2012.

Photo © Detroit Chapter of the Sierra Club

Local Example

Detroit Dirt

That which we waste with, we can create with.

Local entrepreneur creates jobs by connecting waste streams to products (#DetroitDirt) to improve soil.

Photo © Bryan Doben Studios

Local Example

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI)

Connecting Residents to Resources

This neighborhood-based organization connects residents and business owners to the resources to fight blight.

Photo © Detroit Future City

Local Example

Oakland Avenue Artist Coalition

Envisioning Possibility

The Oakland Avenue Artist Coalition is reclaiming the North End through the arts, and using open space as a creative advantage.

Photo © Oakland Avenue Artists Coalition

Local Example

Neighbors Building Brightmoor

Land Stewardship Through Community Building

Fifteen blocks of the Neighbors Building Brightmoor target showcase numerous ways land that stewardship can support community—especially youth.

Photo © Detroit Future City

Local Example

Alt Space / Grape Seed Detroit

Cooperative Growth

This Detroit-based group is using a cooperative model on vacant lots to grow grapes as part of a long-term wine making operation.

Photo © Alt Space Detroit

Local Example

Georgia Street Collective Aviary

Beehives, Honey and Other Sweet Things in Detroit

This Detroit-based bee collective keeps five active bee hives.

Photo CC BY-NC 2.0, University of Nottingham

Local Example

Fisheye Farms

Inclusive Entrepreneurs

With a mission to grow good food, nurture community and provide space to celebrate, this Detroit-based farm fundraised through Kickstarter.

Photo © Fisheye Farms

Local Example

PetSmart P.U.P.’s (Pop-Up Park) Detroit Dog Park

Partnership for Pups and Peeps

By working through partnerships, the Detroit Dog Park has transformed vacant land to give dogs and their owners a safe place to socialize.

Photo © Detroit Dog Park

Local Example

Central Detroit Christian (CDC)

Winning With Worms

This indoor farm in the North End utilizes Red Wiggler earthworms, matchmaking between the needs of the fish and the wants of the crops.

Photo © Central Detroit Christian

Local Example

Build Your Skills

Landscaping Classes (Mostly Free and Mostly In Detroit)

Learn about free, beginner-level landscaping classes for Detroiters interested in working with lots.

Photo © Hamilton Anderson Associates

Local Example

Brush Park BMX

Lots of Jumps (and other things, too!)

Bikers and resident unite to clean up lots and shape riding trails, creating a unique neighborhood amenity.

Photo © Hamilton Anderson Associates

Local Example

Fallen Log Mushroom Farming

Oysters and Ash Trees

Backyard hobby to side lot industry: growing mushrooms in Michigan offers one route to local economic development.

Photo CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, Kathie Hodge

Local Example

Local Lavendar Fields

Smelling Great in Southeast Michigan

At one acre, this Oakland County lavender farm demonstrates a large-scale version of lavender planting and production in southeast Michigan.

Photo CC BY-NC 2.0, pverdonk

Local Example

The Incredible, Edible Hut

(That's What it Is!)

The Edible Hut and Memory Field in Calimera Park show how the productive reuse of underutilized park space can strengthen community.

Photo © Kate Daughdrill & Mira Burack

Local Example

Keep Growing Detroit

Garden Resource Program

The #GRP provides resources and education to facilitate relationships between growers and promote a food sovereign Detroit.

Photo © Keep Growing Detroit

Local Example

Michigan Community Resources

Neighborhood Exchange

The Neighborhood Exchange is an online platform to share ideas and resources for strengthening neighborhoods in Detroit.

Screenshot of neighborhood-exchange.com

Local Example

Genesee County Land Bank

Alternative Groundcovers in Action

This initiative by the Genesee County Land Bank to reduce open space maintenance costs has planted Dutch White Clover on 1800 lots in Flint.

Photo CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, Benjamin S Tone

Local Example

Hantz Woodlands

Growing Trees for Economic Growth

Hantz Woodlands uses mass tree planting to improve quality of life and the economic growth of surrounding communities.

Local Example

LAND Inc.

Mack Avenue Green T

The Green T will transform a vacant commercial corridor in Detroit by growing, harvesting, and processing a plant—Pennycress—into biofuel.

Local Example

Detroit Woodlands

Trees with Time

How to make forests without planting trees—just add time.

Local Example

The Greening of Detroit

Cody Rouge Vacant Lot Treatment Program

This community-involved Greening of Detroit project installed a mix of four planting strategies on ten vacant lots in the Cody Rouge neighborhood.

Local Example

Lots of Love

Mobilizing Lot Maintenance and Stewardship Citywide

Lots of Love serves neighborhoods across Detroit from a sweet (former) ice cream truck: a fully outfitted mobile tool library.

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