Join the Movement — Become a Custode
Transform your community through ecological stewardship. Get involved in conservation, community building, and become certified through our tiered pathway.
What is a Custode?
A Custode is a master steward in the Holon Gardens network—someone who has progressed through our certification pathway and now operates as a verified leader in ecological conservation. They mentor others, operate Nursery Nodes, and help shape the future of our community.
Why Stewardship Matters
Stewardship isn't about controlling nature—it's about participating in its regeneration. Every front yard transformed into native habitat becomes a node in a distributed ecological network that strengthens resilience, supports pollinators, filters water, and sequesters carbon. When stewards work together, isolated gardens become a contiguous living system.
The Custode represents the highest commitment to this vision: someone who has proven their knowledge, earned community trust, and is ready to lead others.
Custode Responsibilities
- ✓ Operate and mentor at a Nursery Node
- ✓ Train 5+ stewards to Level 2 or above
- ✓ Maintain 500+ sq ft verified native habitat
- ✓ Contribute to network governance
- ✓ Host community events and workshops
Ways to Get Involved
Whether you're just starting your journey or ready to lead, there's a path for you in the Holon Gardens network.
Garden Helper
Entry-level volunteering. Help friends and neighbors establish and maintain native gardens. No experience needed—we provide training.
Perfect for: Curious beginners, neighborhood volunteers
Community Steward
Deepen your practice. Create your own garden, complete our orientation, and start on the certification pathway. Build peer connections.
Perfect for: Committed gardeners, peer verifiers
Professional Verifier
Leverage your expertise. Ecologists, landscape architects, and domain experts conduct peer and professional verifications of gardens.
Perfect for: Professionals, academics, specialists
Steward Certification Pathway
Progress from Seed to Custode through hands-on learning, verified ecological action, and community engagement. Each stage unlocks new capabilities and recognition.
Seed Steward
Begin your journey. Create an account, complete orientation, and register your first garden commitment.
- Create Trust Portal account
- Complete Garden Orientation module
- Register 1 commitment from the Menu
- Upload L1 self-certification photo
Conservationist
Deepen your practice. Achieve peer verification, log species, and begin participating in the Nursery Network.
- Pass L2 peer verification (3 neighbors)
- Log 5+ native species in your garden
- Complete the Steward's Walk for 8 weeks
- Join 1 Nursery Network event
Steward-Leader
Become a verified leader. Pass professional bio-audit, mentor new stewards, and host community events.
- Pass L3 professional bio-audit
- Mentor 2 new Seed Stewards
- Host 1 community garden event
- Maintain 90+ credibility score
Custode
The pinnacle of ecological stewardship. Operate a Nursery Node, train others, and shape the network's future.
- Operate a certified Nursery Node
- Train 5+ stewards to L2 or above
- 500+ sq ft verified native habitat
- Contribute to network governance
Upcoming Volunteer Events
Join workshops, seed swaps, and community volunteer days happening in the Holon Gardens network.
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Get Involved Today
Tell us about your interests and we'll connect you with opportunities that match your skills and passion.