Water Budgeting at OAEC and in Your Community

Above: Alana records weekly potable water use at OAEC outside the Main Office, which all staff members see throughout the day. You, too, could do this at your workplace, church, child’s … Read more

Join the “Chautauqua Circle”

Thank you to everyone who attended our 13th Annual Chautauqua Revue this past weekend! Despite the heavy lifting required to bring into the theater two dozen performers, light and sound equipment, costumes, props, … Read more

Perennials You Can Plant Now

If you’re an avid gardener, you are probably about to get your Fall and Winter annuals into the ground, or have already done so. However, there are also many perennial food crops, … Read more

OAEC Publishes Wildlands Preserve Stewardship Plan

Pictured: Harold Appleton, registered professional forester, co-authored the plan with Lindsay Dailey and Jim Coleman (pictured) as well as Brock Dolman. Harold spent many hours onsite inventorying mixed conifer forests and guiding OAEC … Read more

OAEC Cookbook: Summer Recipe & Civil Eats Article

Pictured: Flower Petal Pestos. Edible flowers, such as sunflower and nastutium, volunteer in legions in OAEC’s temperate gardens. These brightly colored sauces in small quantities are most efficiently used as a … Read more

Drought Action

These are extraordinary times in California–especially in the Dutch Bill Creek Watershed, where OAEC is located, and the watersheds surrounding it. The water in our creeks is so low that … Read more

OAEC Nursery Staff Spotlights

Behind the scenes at OAEC are dozens of talented hourly and part-time staff members. Here are some of the wonderful people who give their time, energy and love to the OAEC Nursery, our 100% California Certified … Read more

Storytelling for Social Change

Social change is inspired by effective storytelling. Our allies in the Climate Justice Alliance (CJA), a group of organizers that includes our Strategic Partners with the Movement Generation Justice & … Read more

North Bay Woman Magazine Interviews Olivia Rathbone

OAEC Cookbook Co-Author Olivia Rathbone on growing a farm-to-table garden for the home gardener: North Bay Woman (NBW)*: What does a good farm-to-table garden include? Rathbone: A diverse garden with a good mix … Read more

Last Summer Plant Sale Weekend

Saturday and Sunday are the last two days of the Summer Plant Sale until our Plant Sales resume for our Fall Plant Sale! We still have an incredibly wide array of beautiful … Read more

The OAEC Cookbook is Here! Plus: Sample Recipe

We are thrilled to announce that the long-awaited Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook has arrived! Published by Chelsea Green and with a foreword by Alice Waters, the Cookbook shares the … Read more

It’s Spring! What To Be Planting Now

Annuals Gardeners — the days are getting longer and warmer, so we know you’ve got the itch to start playing in your garden beds! There are many crops that you can … Read more

Why California Is Localizing Its Waters

The Connection Between Energy and Water — Water conservation and reuse aren’t just about water quantity, but about dramatically reducing the energy requirement of our water systems. Did you know that nearly … Read more

Beaverpalooza 2015

The WATER Institute Beaver Campaign Hits The Road! In late February and early March, Kate Lundquist and Brock Dolman of the WATER Institute made great headway in forwarding their Bring … Read more

Carbon Farming Benefits Soil, Water and Climate

Ranching and farming practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing atmospheric carbon into soil. Last week, 50 soil scientists, ranchers, farmers and carbon farming advocates from around the United … Read more

Highlights from EcoFarm

Last week’s 35th annual EcoFarm Conference gathered nearly 2000 sustainable agriculture experts and allies for education, rejuvenation and celebration with a new twist: the Permaculture Track! Thanks to EFA’s Executive … Read more

OAEC Cookbook Release: April 2015!

The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook, by the OAEC Staff Collective and Kitchen Manager Olivia Rathbone, is a collection of inventive recipes from OAEC — a renowned farm, educational retreat center, … Read more

Welcome to the New OAEC Website

Welcome to the new OAEC.org! We have spent the past year redesigning our website to better tell the story of the world that we envision and how that vision shapes our projects and partnerships. … Read more

Brock Dolman & Eve Ensler at Bioneers 2014

At the 2014 Bioneers Conference, OAEC’s Brock Dolman joined forces with renowned author and V-Day founder Eve Ensler to present about the City of Joy, a recovery center and permaculture farm … Read more

The Benefits of Prescribed Fires

In a time of climate change and drought, California’s forests are increasingly under the threat of catastrophic fires. While the state spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year on … Read more