“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
This is more than a garden;
it is a revolution rooted in soil,
an opportunity to remember what was almost lost.
They say the land is for sale,
but how can you buy what is sacred?
How can you sell what breathes life into us?
The system feeds us poison,
tells us we are too small to stand,
too broken to build,
but here we are, hands in the dirt,
proving them wrong with every harvest.
We gather, not because it is easy,
but because it is necessary.
Because the earth calls for care,
and we answer with the labor of love.
The garden whispers what the system has silenced:
that food is medicine,
that water is sacred,
that community is the cure.
This is not just a movement;
it is a remembering—
of indigenous wisdom,
of balance,
of the need for reciprocity.
Here, we do not ask for permission to thrive.
We reclaim, rebuild, and reimagine,
planting hope where despair once grew.
It is not too late to heal the land,
to heal ourselves.
It is not too late to hold each other
and say, ‘We will protect this.’
The earth doesn’t belong to us,
we belong to it.
And in these gardens,
we learn to belong to each other again.
For over 4 years I had seen the same plot of land outside my window. It was ordinary in a quiet and peaceful way. A pot of land that’s been untouched by development, a sliver of nature that has been preserved among the cities rapid development. On a walk I noticed it was marked with a “For Sale” sign. I felt a deep sadness as I walked by the sign, unsure how I could prevent this land from being paved over with concrete, transformed into more apartments and condos, and stripped of its potential to heal. If that sign changed to “Sold,” Fort Collins would have lost an opportunity to use this as a place for hope, healing and education.
I kept feeling called to walk over and ask about what was going to happen with that land. I had heard rumours of a community garden starting in the neighborhood but didn’t know who to ask. The idea of asking questions or inserting myself into the conversation felt intimidating. What could I possibly contribute? Thankfully my friend and I convinced each other to go to a neighborhood party. We walked over and saw Heather Linden there, set up with her watercolor painting, a vivid depiction of the dream she was determined to bring to life.
She spoke with an unmistakable conviction about the potential this land held. Heather’s passion wasn’t just inspiring, it was contagious. As she shared her plans, it became clear this wasn’t just about what she wanted to do with the land… it was about what we as a collective needed to do. Her words were a reminder that the most meaningful change often begins with someone deciding to stand up and do what’s right, even when it’s hard.
“Do what you feel in your heart is right, no matter the social pressures or misunderstandings”
–Heather Linden, Bold Journey Magazine
We heard her cry for help and decided to come by the next day to see how we could contribute. What started as a simple visit turned into a weekly ritual. Week after week, we found ourselves returning; learning how to build fences, chasing down escape-artist goats, and building our strength as we hauled wheelbarrows full of soil and mulch. Each task taught us something new, not just about the garden, but about resilience, community, and the power of showing up.
As I’ve learned, starting a nonprofit is no easy task. The idea of community resonates with so many, but when it actually comes to the sweat, time, and dedication, many step back and wait for the work to be finished. They want to walk through the dream, but not be part of the work that makes it real. Community is often romanticized, but true community requires effort, commitment, and a willingness to work together. Life doesn’t often give us the time we need to truly be in community. We’re so consumed by the hustle, our packed schedules, endless responsibilities, and the demands of modern living.
For those that believe it’s their duty to make a difference and stand up for this land, a huge shift is beginning. There’s something inexplicable about the people who find their way to this small plot of land. It feels like a time capsule. It feels as though this place has been waiting for us and calling us home across lifetimes.
A group of people that move with purpose and instinctively understand the needs of Mother Earth. It’s a feeling that binds all of us, as if this soil carries the memories of those who walked here long before. Community and connection are not new ideas, they are truths that have always been a part of us.
It’s a place of hope, a space where people can use the gardens to explore their passions. Through the gardens I’ve met stewards of the land: healers from all walks of life, experts in mycelium, soil, herbal medicine, and so much more. Each person brings a necessary skill, a unique knowledge that contributes. We are all experts in some field, and we recognize that it’s the collective effort of all our strengths that makes this place thrive and we welcome any and all help.
We often compare this mission to mycelium… an incredible underground network that thrives by connecting and supporting all the life around it. Mycelium is not just a single organism but a vast, interconnected web that grows by sending out information, linking together plants, trees, and fungi. Similarly, in our community, we spread our knowledge and share our hope. Each connection we make, each person we support, strengthens the whole, creating a foundation of nourishment and mutual care. We are not separate; we are part of a larger, living system, working together to cultivate growth and support each other.
Beginning to build Sagrada Botanical Gardens has required hours of labor, relentless faith, and a community willing to come together despite the challenges. The land doesn’t just demand our hands, it demands our hearts, it demands our collaboration. Sagrada Botanical Gardens is proof that healing is possible. Healing for the land, for ourselves, and for the generations to come.
The nonprofit envisions creating spaces for healing and ceremony, offering people a chance to reconnect with themselves and the earth. At the heart of Sagrada Botanical Gardens’ mission is growing food, with plans to expand into cultivating plant medicine as well. Heather’s love for flowers shapes much of the garden’s purpose, and her motto, “Eat your forking flowers!” emphasizes the mental and physical health benefits of eating certain flowers. By partnering with local nonprofits, the garden strengthens community ties while serving as a home for goats and honeybees, fostering a thriving, interconnected ecosystem.
To continue this important work, we need any and all support. If you have the means, please consider donating to help us grow and sustain this vision. Every contribution makes a difference.
Learn more about Sagrada Botanical Gardens
- Website: https://sagradabotanical.com/
- Instagram: sagrada_botanical_gardens
- Facebook: Sagrada Botanical Gardens
