OUR MISSION:
DECOLONIZATION
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We acknowledge and offer our deepest gratitude to the Tongva people, the native caretakers of this land; past, present and future.
As stewards of our collective home, Sweet and Sacred is committed to decolonizing our relationship with the land by making responsible choices based on locality, resiliency, adaptability, and sustainability. This is contrary to the common colonial approach of gardening, which oftentimes manipulates land to serve the self.
Our mission is to actively restore natural ecosystems and indigenous ethnobotanical relationships. We firmly believe that when plants are placed in their original ecosystems, everything that’s co-evolved with the plants of that area can thrive. Therefore, we curate spaces with the intention of creating a sanctuary for not only humans, but native wildlife, and all Earthly elements. Food, medicine, habitat restoration and more are possible with native gardens.
COLLECTIVE HEALING AND LIBERATION
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Sweet and Sacred believes that all beings and Earth are one collective body. We help our clients to see themselves as a part of this collective, rather than separate. Establishing intentional and respectful relationships with the Earth can influence our relationships with ourselves and in turn, each other. A garden can play a significant role in one’s healing journey, as they teach us lessons of patience, nurturing, reciprocity, and more.
In a world that often neglects the wellbeing of the collective, we find that there is deep value in curating environments that feel safe, peaceful, and liberating for all. Ultimately, gardens are ideal spaces both for connection to others and one’s self – a sentiment that we believe can truly transform society towards a more healing and liberating future.
VEGANIC METHODS
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Sweet and Sacred strives to be 100% veganic in our methods, meaning that all sources of soil, fertilization, mulch, and amendment are derived from organic, plant-based materials. We do not incorporate any animal byproducts in our gardens because we recognize that animal byproducts, such as manure, blood, bone, or feather meal, are far more likely to expose hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides to the soil.
Furthermore, farm animals in the United States (e.g. as cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, etc.) are exotic species that were introduced by Western settlers as a form of colonization. This introduction caused and continues to cause major conflict with native wildlife, such as displacement and biodiversity loss. In most natural habitats, it is plants and native wildlife that naturally fertilize soil. With this in mind, our veganic approach mimics this form of regeneration without the domestication and commodification of our animal-relatives.
Sweet and Sacred is committed to respecting the livelihoods of all species, while cultivating soil in ways that are safe and sustainable.
THOUGHTFULLY CURATED
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Sweet and Sacred designs spaces with your visions and the local environment in mind. Our gardens are intended to be experiential, sensory landscapes, abundant in colors, textures, aromas, and flavors.
Our process includes an initial virtual consultation, where we have the opportunity to meet over phone call or video chat to discuss the scope of your project and talk through the mission, vision, and goals of your space. We then conduct a thorough on-site observation and analysis, carefully studying the functionality and natural elements of the environment. In a collaborative effort with our clients, we create a design proposal based on our research, offering a variety of local plant options and layouts. Once the client approves of the proposal, we are ready for installation and procurement of all project materials. Sweet and Sacred offers adjustments and amendments for the first 3 months post-installation. Further maintenance services can be scheduled on a monthly basis.
OUR APPROACH:
OUR TEAM:
Audrey Waight
Founder, Lead Gardener
Audrey is a veganic gardener contributing to movements for collective liberation, decolonization, habitat restoration, and food sovereignty. She has geared her life’s work towards healing animals – human and non-human – and the planet through the advocacy and practice of regenerative veganic growing.
Descending from a lineage of Mayan ancestors, farmers, and caretakers of the land, Audrey has developed a deep passion for reclaiming and embodying the indigenous, relational land-wisdom of her ancestors.
She earned a Bachelor's degree in Geography and Food Studies, along with certificates in Geographic Information Systems, Permaculture Design, and Agricultures Del Valle's Farmer Training Program. Her work expands from caretaking local community gardens to serving as an educational tour guide at a local farm, researching veganic agriculture for an upcoming documentary, facilitating a gardening club for marginalized youth, and more recently designing and installing California native gardens.
Audrey considers herself an avid student-of-life, constantly working to expand her knowledge, skillset, and worldview in an effort to wholeheartedly show up for her community.