Kale Tree Supports Sierra Club’s Campaign to Protect California’s Forests
Yucca, Pine trees, Cyprus trees, and grasses. Angeles National Forest, California.
California's forests are abundant with natural wonders to explore. According to the US Department of Agriculture, forest land makes up one-third of California's total land area. California's forests host millions of residents and visitors enjoying our state's natural beauty while participating in endless recreational and educational activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.
Red-shouldered Hawk (Bueto lineatus) located in Three Rivers, Southern Sierra Nevada, California.
While spending time outdoors is a valuable experience that enriches our quality of life, California's lush forests also provide vital services to a healthy ecosystem, including plant and wildlife biodiversity, flood and erosion control, and climate regulation. In addition, a healthy forest contributes to healthy air quality and reduces the impacts of climate change by absorbing Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere.
Three Rivers, Southern Sierra Nevada, California.
California's forests are also a source of reliable, clean drinking water for our state's communities. By supplying and regulating water through meadows and watersheds year-round, our forests provide 65 percent of the state's clean water. Consequently, in drought-prone California, our water supply is dependent on our forest's health and function.
The sunset sky in Three Rivers, Southern Sierra Nevada, California.
As our climate continues to change and wildfires become a more common occurrence in California, there are several challenges that we must face in maintaining the health of our state's forests. A significant threat to the health of California's forests is an extreme logging method known as "clearcutting." Clearcutting involves cutting down natural forests and pouring herbicides on the site to make room for human-made tree plantations. These tree plantations do not replicate the ecosystems of a healthy forest and therefore pose a danger to California's biodiversity, air purity, water supply, and climate regulation.
Wolf Lichens (Genus Letharia) located in the Sequoia National Forest, California.
The protection of California's forests is essential to our livelihoods. Unfortunately, more than 50,000 acres of Californian forest are cut down every year due to clearcutting. Sierra Club's "Stop Clearcutting CA" campaign is raising awareness of the dangers of clearcutting and its adverse impacts on California's ecological wellbeing.
Chaparral Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei) located in Southern Sierra Nevada, California.
As a naturalist and advocate for environmentally compassionate design, Kale Tree Founder Sarah Barnard LEED AP, and WELL AP, is inspired to support Sierra Club's "Stop Clearcutting CA" mission to protect California's environment. To raise awareness of the urgent need to protect our forests, Barnard will utilize her skills as an artist to contribute photography of flora, fauna, and funga found in California's forests. She will continue to document forests, bodies of water, and wildlife for Sierra Club's campaign throughout the year.
Sparse Pine and Cyprus trees in Angeles National Forest, California.
If you wish to help preserve California's natural forests and support the "Stop Clearcutting CA" campaign, you are invited to sign Sierra Club's petition to Governor Newsom to end clearcutting in California's forests. Visit Sierra Club's website and resource page for more ways you can help protect California's forests and join the group on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Dried Pine leaves (needles) located in Three Rivers, Southern Sierra Nevada, California.
Bibliography
Balloffet, N; Deal, R; Hines, Sarah; Larry, B; Smith, N. 2012. Ecosystem Services and Climate Change. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Climate Change Resource Center. www.fs.usda.gov/ccrc/topics/ecosystem-services
“Focus on Forestlands in California.” USDA Climate Hubs. www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/california/topic/focus-forestlands-california.
“Nature's Benefits.” Angeles National Forest - about the Forest. www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/about-forest/?cid=fseprd604146.
“Stop Clearcutting CA.” Sierra Club. https://www.sierraclub.org/grassroots-network/stop-clearcutting-ca.
Trail signage at the Red Box Picnic Area in the Angeles National Forest, site of the 2020 Bobcat Fire.
Kale Tree + Healthy Home Decor
Butterfly Dreams Bed by Kale Tree.
Inspired by nature, fueled by community, and made with love. At Kale Tree, we aim to uplift the global community through nature-inspired home design. The source of our namesake is a beautiful, dark green shrub with kale-like curly leaves, known as Polyscias guilfoylei. This kale-like tree is resilient and hardy despite its delicate appearance. Like many of us, it takes time to grow but needs little coddling to succeed. The beauty, versatility, and self-sufficiency of this leafy evergreen aptly represents Kale Tree and our mission to promote health and well-being by strengthening our connection to nature, inside and out.
Megalograpga moth. Photo by Sarah Barnard.
Moth Textile by Kale Tree.
Based in Southern California, we believe that our home should reflect what calms and inspires us. We find endless inspiration from the surrounding mountains, beaches, and desert landscapes. Whether it's the California native Matilija Poppy or a coastal Mangrove Tree, we extend our love of nature through thoughtful biophilic home design.
Matilija Poppy. Photo by Sarah Barnard.
Kale Tree is comprised of nature-loving creatives who value community and personal wellness with a shared commitment to conscious, sustainable home design. Founded by WELL- and LEED-accredited interior designer and naturalist Sarah Barnard, Kale Tree aspires to improve accessibility to ethically produced, eco-friendly home decor while making the conscious effort to promote wellness through socially and environmentally responsible home design.
Matilija Poppy Textile - Natural by Kale Tree.
We believe that individual wellness is directly connected to nature. Biophilic home decor has the potential to evoke similar mood-boosting effects to spending time outdoors. Our studio understands the importance of uplifting the well-being of each other and places equal value on lasting environmental health. Working from a cosmopolitical standpoint, we aim to uplift our community through closeness to nature by designing our products with conscious intent, considering the environment at every stage of our production process.
Mallow Textile in Dusty Dawn by Kale Tree.
Natural and Organic Fibers
Natural fibers provide a unique tactile experience and biodegrade more naturally over time. Kale Tree offers products made from natural and organic materials, including textiles made from Belgian Linen, New Zealand Wool rugs, and furniture made from sustainable hardwoods.
Mangrove Rug by Kale Tree.
Vegan Choices
As naturalists and animal lovers, we understand the importance of choosing products that align with your values. All of our area rugs are available in Bamboo Silk, a vegan fiber with a soft sheen derived from bamboo plants. Our textiles and wallpapers are made from cruelty-free plant-derived materials.
Mallow Wallcovering in Midnight Forest by Kale Tree.
FSC certified Hardwoods
Our furniture is handcrafted in Los Angeles from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) hardwoods. FSC certification ensures that the hardwoods we use are sourced in an environmentally responsible manner to help support sustainable forest management.
Matilija Poppy Wallpaper - Putty by Kale Tree.
Greenguard Gold Certified
We believe that a healthy home is a happy home. Kale Tree's PVC-free, low-VOC wallcoverings help maintain healthy indoor air quality and are Greenguard Gold Certified.
California native Lupine and Salvia. Photo by Sarah Barnard.
Kale tree works closely with a team of like-minded artists, designers, and artisans from diverse backgrounds to create healthful, ethically produced goods inspired by the intersection of art, design, and nature. All goods are made with love and designed with the intent to bring beauty, health, and joy to you and your home.
Wallflower: A lesser-known floral blossoms into its moment with a new eco wallpaper
Kale Tree Founder Sarah Barnard is an advocate of all things nature. “Being in nature brings me great pleasure, and is the source of inspiration for much of my work,” says Barnard. “Setting aside time to enjoy and plant in my garden helps me decompress, and fully engage mentally and physically outside of my design practice.
Mallow Wallpaper in Midnight Forest. Image courtesy of Sarah Barnard Design.
Kale Tree Founder Sarah Barnard is an advocate of all things nature. “Being in nature brings me great pleasure, and is the source of inspiration for much of my work,” says Barnard. “Setting aside time to enjoy and plant in my garden helps me decompress, and fully engage mentally and physically outside of my design practice. After gardening, I feel re-energized, focused, and ready to return to work.” One of Sarah’s favorite plants is Mallow. She has three different varieties that she tends to in her garden.
A Mallow making a presence in Sarah’s garden.
Mallow is a free-flowering plant that blooms beautifully draping, lantern-shaped blossoms of all varieties of pinks, yellows, reds, and whites. There are about 200 species in this particular genus. Also referred to as the Flowering Maple, Chinese Lantern, and Indian Mallow, this shrub earned its names from its maple-like leaves, lantern shape flowers, and mallow genus. These shade-loving plants are delicate, requiring regular care and maintenance. This effort can be fruitful; however, as a happy Mallow can flower almost non-stop. These stunning plants are pollinator-friendly, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees alike[1].
While most commonly planted for ornamentation in gardens, the Mallow has qualities that benefit health and well-being. Some Mallow species have a history of medicinal uses for emollient, analgesic, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory purposes, to name a few[2]. Their flowers produce nectar, making them slightly sweet and astringent[3]. Floriography, the language of flowers, suggests that Abutilon symbolizes Meditation[4].
Out of pure adoration of this plant, Kale Tree created a line of botanical wallpapers inspired by the Mallow.
The line drawing for the wallpaper began as the annual letterpress holiday card for Sarah’s interior design studio. The Kale Tree team reworked and expanded the original illustration into a pattern for wallpaper and textiles. Photographs of Mallows in Sarah’s garden were used as references to develop the drawing. Kale Tree designers chose to render the Mallow in a larger than life scale to highlight their extraordinary beauty and bring a contemporary feel to the notion of traditional floral wallpaper. The color palette was adapted from Victorian Era paintings as a nod to art history, marrying classical with contemporary. Pink is utilized generously throughout the illustrations as it happens to be one of Sarah’s favorite colors. “Clients seldom choose to incorporate pink into their spaces, so Kale Tree is my outlet to explore and indulge in this color,” says Sarah.
Kale Tree’s eco-friendly wallpaper features a subtle surface texture and a hand-drawn pattern. It is available in three colorways: Midnight Forest, Evening Mauve, and Dusty Dawn. Designed with nature in mind, this product is a PVC-free, type II wallpaper made with 31% post consumer, recycled canvas, and printed with a VOC-free process free of solvents. The wallpaper is 33 inches wide by 18 feet long and is sold per 49.5 square foot roll. Kale Tree aims to promote health and wellbeing through introducing our healthful, ethically produced goods inspired by the intersection of art, design, and nature.
You can pre-order for Spring 2021 here.
References
[1] Mahr, Susan. “Flowering Maple, Abutilon Spp.” Master Gardener Program, 5 Aug. 2020, mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/article/flowering-maple-abutilon-spp/.
[2] Rajeshwari S, Sevarkodiyone SP (2018) Medicinal properties of Abutilon Indicum. Open J Plant Sci 3(1): 022-025. DOI: 10.17352/ojps.000011.
[3] “Abutilon Striatum (Red Vein Indian Mallow).” Gardenia.net, www.gardenia.net/plant/abutilon-striatum.
[4] Deitz, S. Theresa. Floriography Today: The Symbolic Meanings & The Possible Powers of Trees, Plants and Flowers. 2012.
Views from the Garden: Hibiscus, Roses, Birds + Bees
Hibiscus has always been one of my favorite flowers, with its colorful voluptuous blooms. What began as a tiny one-gallon pot is now (years later) a magnificent bush, a bit taller than me.
HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS “CREOLE LADY” . LOS ANGELES, CA.
Hibiscus has always been one of my favorite flowers, with its colorful voluptuous blooms. What began as a tiny one-gallon pot is now (years later) a magnificent bush, a bit taller than me. Garden roses are one of my simplest delights. The fragrance of roses inspires cheer in my southern California garden nearly all year round. Spending a bit of time outdoors each morning helps me to feel connected to the outside world.
A COMMON HOUSE SPARROW FINDS A TASTY NUT. LOS ANGELES, CA
Visiting birds and bees remind me that life is in fact carrying on, no matter the state of my day, or the world at large.
ECHIUM CANDICANS, PRIDE OF MADEIRA, A FAVORITE OF THE VISITING BEES. LOS ANGELES, CA.
A CARPENTER BEE VISITS THE SENNA FLOWERS. LOS ANGELES, CA.
