Restoring degraded urban landscapes is rarely linear. It requires observation, adaptation, and a willingness to rethink initial goals. After the first phase of plant relocation and site assessment, it became clear that the project needed a more structured vision. A perfect choice that functions as a balanced ecological restoration, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.

This second phase documents the change from emergency plant rescue to a planned design.  It lays the foundation for a food forest rooted in ecological principles, as well as social and cultural values.

If you missed Part 1 here is the link: From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 1 – UF/IFAS Extension Broward County

Cultural Ecology

Inspired by the cultural practices and beliefs of diverse Native American societies, the Food Forest was built around essential concepts and traditional agricultural practices of Native American and Maya cultures. Their land-management strategies represent some of the most effective and sustainable approaches to food production. Three main structures emerge from it, representing important aspects of the ancient practices.

The Spiral Garden

The spiral garden stands as a central element within the food forest, and it is a project created entirely from the ground up.

Its design and construction extended over several months, during which the layout was carefully projected. assembling the structure and positioning each piece with intention. Beyond its practical value, the spiral garden carries symbolic significance. The spiral is a universal pattern in nature. It is visible in shells, galaxies, and unfolding leaves, and represents growth, transformation, and continuity. Its form also serves a functional purpose: the elevation gradient creates distinct microclimates, allowing a diversity of plants to coexist according to their varying needs for sun, shade, and moisture. In this way, the spiral garden is both a symbol and a practice of sustainability. In this case, our spiral garden hosts different types of herbs like basil, holy basil, rosemary, wild fennel, Italian oregano, Cuban oregano, and spearmint.

The Ceremonial Fire

The Seminole and Miccosukee ceremonial fires are arranged with four logs laid out in a cross, each pointing to a cardinal direction—north, south, east, and west—with the fire lit at the center. This cross-shaped design symbolizes balance, order, and interconnection within their worldview. Altogether, the fire-pit arrangement serves as a visible cosmic design: a living symbol of the universe, linking natural cycles, spiritual beliefs, and cultural identity. By placing fire at the center of the cross, Seminole and Miccosukee people make visible their philosophy of harmony with the natural and spiritual worlds. It also symbolizes their recognition of life as a balanced cycle sustained by the four directions.

The Mayan Sac Be

In the Yucatec Mayan language, “Sac Be” means “white road.”

For centuries, the ancient Mayas built elevated limestone roads called “sac be” to connect their most important cities and ceremonial centers. These pathways stretched from Chichén Itzá, located in the Yucatan Peninsula to the great cities of Belize, Guatemala, and Chiapas (Southern Mexico), forming a vast network across the Maya world. Because of the intense heat during the day, the Maya often traveled along these white roads at night, guided by the light of the moon reflecting on the pale limestone surface. The sac be is a symbolic and spiritual connection, linking people, communities, and sacred places. The pathway in the Food Forest is inspired by the Sac be, honoring the memory, wisdom, and enduring presence of the Indigenous Maya people who once walked these luminous roads under the stars.

From Design to Living Forest

The transition from plant rescue to intentional design showed a decisive moment in the evolution of the Food Forest. What began as an effort to save displaced plants slowly became a deeper exploration of ecological restoration. Something between cultural knowledge and sustainable land-use practices. The spiral garden, the ceremonial fire, and the Sac Be pathway are not only physical structures but also a connection to nature, culture, and community.

However, a design on paper only becomes meaningful when it comes to life on the land. The next phase of the project will move beyond ideas and layout to focus on planting trees, developing understory layers, and creating a vegetable area. It also will emphasize the response to unexpected ecological challenges, especially the impact of iguanas on young plants.

Part 3 will explore how these elements shaped the Food Forest into a dynamic and resilient ecosystem, revealing both the opportunities and challenges of restoring urban landscapes. Stay tuned.

3