WHAT IS A TOMORROW GARDEN?

The Tomorrow Garden is an eco-friendly garden installed at local schools, parks, historical sites, and college campuses.  It is designed by volunteers, built by volunteers, and funded by caring companies that are passionate about being architects of a better day.he Tomorrow Garden is an enduring volunteer program created to engage, inspire, and educate the community about conserving our natural resources.  The uniquely energizing sites provide an atmosphere that encourages reflection on preserving and enriching the environment through water and resource conservation, while introducing an appreciation for the special beauty of native plants.  Participation in bringing these gardens to our communities fills individuals and businesses alike with rich ambient pride. This pride is rooted directly into their role as eco-activists that have chosen to do something important, and something right for the betterment of our world.

WHAT'S THE GENERAL THEME?

The Tomorrow Garden theme is “Healthy Choices Today Grow Into The Dreams of Tomorrow”. reating a theme invites educational dialogue and insightful ideas.  It is paramount that we make healthy choices not only regarding our use of natural resources, but also choices regarding the other many aspects of our lives that include concerns ranging from nutrition and fitness, to literacy, education and the ability to achieve our deepest aspirations.  As a result, the Tomorrow Garden is a symbol of the most vital issues of our time, the environment and our future.

HOW IS PROGRAM FUNDED?

The Tomorrow Garden Movement is funded by eco-friendly community conscious companies that want to give back to society and provide sustainable giving.  Our organization has partnered with some of the best in the world to make these gardens a reality. 

WHEN IS NEXT PROJECT?

We originally started installing gardens on elementary school campuses, expanded to public parks, and now most recently have partnered with a University campus to highlight their eco-friendly platform.  California State University San Marcos hosts our next event.  We are partnering with the Vallecitos Water District, the Inter-tribal Health Council, KRC Rock, and other national and local businesses to bring the spirit of this volunteer-based eco-initiative to the picturesque campus of CSUSM.

Click link to read an article North County Times Intro Article 

WHY WAS CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS CHOOSEN?

As an institution of public higher learning, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) recognizes that it is in a unique position to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability.  The Tomorrow Garden at CSUSM contributes to an understanding of the changing relationships between plants and people through education, research, and community engagement.

Education is a critical component of the mission of the CSUSM Tomorrow Garden.  In addition to the opportunities for plant study and observation, the garden promotes sustainable gardening practices and the use of environmentally-friendly garden plants.  The garden is a refuge of beauty where visitors can reconnect with nature while being empowered to create positive environmental change in their own lives. The garden utilizes sustainable elements, recycled materials, and drought tolerant plants to ensure eco-friendliness.

WHO DESIGNED THE TOMORROW GARDEN?

Michael Austin originally came up with the concept of educating the public through eco-friendly gardens.  After years of hard work, Michael's vision has managed to attract some of the leading talents in their fields to join in. One kindred mind, is that of Greg Rubin, who is an award-winning, premier California native landscaper designer, and owner of California's Own.  We call Greg Rubin our native plant rock star!  His vision for CSUSM Tomorrow Garden will gently utilize existing boulder enclaves and honor historical plant specimens, while introducing new native plants.  Greg Rubin's vision for the CSUSM Tomorrow Garden is caputured in the below rendering.

Click the picture for a full size version.

As you can see, Greg Rubins’ instincts are to parlay strengths in not only plants and boulders but also in structures. Greg chose to integrate his shade pavilion roofs in the Tomorrow Garden.  The design style resonates with the ribbed barrel design motif of the McMahan House to create an atmosphere that blends the talents of these two different artists seamlessly.

I’VE NEVER BEEN TO CSUSM.  CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE?

As you join the cadence of the road that takes you up the gentle, lumbering climb of the Twin Oaks Valley Road, you note that your senses have become alerted.  As the view breaks open to encompass the fullness of the campus of CSUSM and the fortuitous setting in which it resides, it is clear why. The buildings seem to take their place in perfect symmetry with the sky, mountains and rich bottom-land of the Twin Oaks Valley of San Marcos.

It seems as though, the ghost of John Steinbeck would sleep very peacefully amongst these rolling hills.  Nearing the entrance to the University a road separates from the main flow of students immersed in academia, to bring you up to a solitary hilltop that is covered with a station of trees.  The site alone is a rarity with 360 degree views that take in the campus, the mountains, the City of San Marcos, the dream of the Creekside and the length of the Twin Oaks Valley.

For an aerial view click picture below:

WHAT ARE ALL THOSE BUILDINGS AND WHAT ARE THEIR USES?

Hugging this hillside above the CSUSM campus is the multiple facility complex called the McMahan House designed by the distinguished eco-conscious architect Robert Quigley.

The buildings were built as a gift from the McMahan family who had conducted business in North County throughout the years with their McMahon Fine Furniture Stores.  The facility complex, and the forthcoming Tomorrow Garden, will be used for workshops, sculpture galleries, summit meetings, retreats, ceremonies, dedications, concerts, performances, weddings and receptions.

Quigley signature design elements, such as his use of bronze barrel-ribbed roofing, arching windows, bent timber structural supports, and use of pathways and bridges, connect the four separate buildings and grounds into one setting of homogeny.  The intention of function is a primary emphasis for serving the interests of the community and business sectors for a rich variety of events.

Click here to download brochure:  McMahan House Brochure

This eco-conscious, stunningly beautiful in the day and magnificent in the evening venue, in the years ahead, will host many of memorable events of our lives.

All of the Quigley designed buildings utilize the most contemporary current energy-conservation elements and are artistically imbedded throughout. All aspects of utilizing passive solar, geo-thermal wall massing, reclaimed or recycled glass, tile, and stone comes together beautifully to create a one-of-a-kind setting.

Everything pools to a courtyard from which a stairway will lead to the crest of the hill. The horizons pull you as you enter this crowning plot of land with omni-directional views.  This site will be complementarily transformed into a magnificently scaled environmentally-themed Tomorrow Garden utilizing the design concepts of the renowned California Native Design Expert, Greg Rubin.

WHAT MORE MAKES THIS A UNIQUE C.S.U.S.M. TOMORROW GARDEN UNIQUE?

Greg and the Tomorrow Garden team have sought out a close partnership with the CSUSM Anthropology Department and to enlist the influence and direction of the local Native American tribes.  As a result, the Tomorrow Garden will encompass the use of native plant species that have long been used in the daily life of the indigenous peoples of the region for uses including, but not limited to, basketry, culinary, ceremonial and medicinal applications.

The plant palate selections will include these ethno-botanical selections, signature flourishes that will not only evoke an appreciation of their natural beauty, but will also illustrate the virtues of sustainable gardening, and water conservation.

The CSUSM Tomorrow Garden will clearly illustrate how we can be conscious of our abilities to work with our environment and get rewarded with remarkable results.  Greg and the Lux Art Institute design team recently received the San Diego Grand Orchid Award.

Cllick to view pictures:  Lux Institute Grand Orchid Award Pictures

HOW CAN I HELP? 

Our organization needs help through funding, volunteerism, and experts in various fields.  Please contact us so we can form a partnership beneficial to all.