Food Forest Petition

BRIGHT Initiative Stands Behind Evansville Community Food Forest Petition.

Growing Resilience Through Community Agriculture

The BRIGHT Initiative of Evansville is proud to announce our full support for the community-led petition to establish a public food forest in our city. This grassroots campaign represents exactly the kind of community-driven resilience we strive to foster through our work.

What is a Community Food Forest?

A community food forest is a public green space designed using permaculture principles to create a sustainable, edible ecosystem. Unlike traditional community gardens with individual plots, food forests are collaborative spaces where fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, and perennial vegetables grow together in a woodland ecosystem designed to produce food for the entire community.

How BRIGHT Is Supporting This Initiative

Petition Amplification: We’re sharing the petition through our networks and encouraging all community members to sign and share

Coalition Building: We’re connecting petition organizers with local environmental groups, city officials, and potential funding sources

Volunteer Coordination: When the time comes for implementation, we’ll help organize volunteer teams.

Skill Sharing: Our network includes experienced gardeners and permaculture designers who are ready to lend their expertise

The Bigger Picture

This food forest initiative represents more than just access to fresh food—it’s about transforming unused public spaces into productive ecosystems that bring people together. Community food forests become outdoor classrooms, intergenerational gathering spaces, and living demonstrations of sustainable urban agriculture.

In cities where community food forests already exist, they’ve become vibrant hubs of community activity, providing opportunities for education, recreation, and meaningful connection with nature and neighbors.