Edible Arcata: a GIS perspective for a local food-loving community in Humboldt County, California

City and local governments across the United States are beginning to implement urban agriculture and edible landscaping policies and planning procedures to address social and environmental sustainability goals. From the Portland City Hall garden to public orchards in San Francisco, landscaping public space with fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and edible plants has gained popularity as an approach to reduce carbon emissions, improve biodiversity, increase food security and contribute to social activities. In March, 2011, the City of Arcata in Humboldt County, California developed Council Goals for 2012 that include development of edible landscaping around parks and new building projects. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS), this project models potential edible landscaping sites on City owned property. Suitable sites were mapped based on key-informant interviews and spatial analysis of accessibility, nearness to low income housing and proximity to community gathering places. Literature on GIS food system analysis, urban planning, local native food resources and food foraging was reviewed to contextualize maps and discussion. Recommendations for implementation of the edible landscaping goal are presented along with a list of appropriate plants for the climate. This undertaking has implications for future research and action including using the findings to influence land use planning for increased diversity within the local food system.