Build and Sustain

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Build and Sustain -

Transforming Spaces. Training Neighbors. Building Futures.

This program is an ESS cornerstone initiative for turning vacant or neglected land into vibrant, sustainable community spaces. Whether it’s an urban farm, a schoolyard garden, a pocket park, or a green gathering space, our team is here to design, build, and activate it with care and intention.

We partner with schools, nonprofits, local governments, and community developers to bring custom land-based projects to life. Clients contract us to lead the full build-out, including planning, construction, and community integration. When clients retain ownership of the land, they cover materials while we provide the labor and design expertise. If the project is part of a long-term stewardship vision by East Side Stewards, we co-invest development costs to ensure its success and sustainability.

Projects We Have Worked On

Every Build and Sustain project includes opportunities for hands-on green workforce training, providing local residents with paid apprenticeships and skill-building in sustainable carpentry, urban agriculture, composting systems, rainwater catchment, soil remediation, and more. We also offer educational workshops on request, empowering communities to care for and co-lead the spaces we create together.

This is where equity meets ecology. Build and Sustain is how we plant roots for a just, sustainable Buffalo, one space, one neighbor, one project at a time.

CS53 Community Garden and Outdoor

Learning Lab - 13,000 sq ft

Located in the heart of Buffalo’s East Side, CS53 has been transformed into a growing hub of ecological learning and food justice. We’ve installed 10 raised garden beds, a compost station, a rainwater catchment system, and bird habitat features while enhancing the landscape with native species and open gathering space. This site continues to evolve as we envision a fully activated outdoor classroom and vibrant green space for residents, students, and community partners alike.

CAgrO Urban Farm - 1.4 acres

At the Urban Farm, we’ve built eight large raised beds to support intensive vegetable production and implemented trellising systems for climbing crops. The site now includes a solar energy setup, composting systems, and the active care of blackberry bushes and a small fruit orchard. Through consistent maintenance, the farm is steadily becoming a model of urban agriculture and community resilience.

Bailey-Dartmouth Community Garden - 3,500 sq ft

Our team revitalized the Bailey Dartmouth site by removing invasive plants and preparing the land for long-term native planting. We’ve introduced dozens of Western New York perennials to support pollinators, biodiversity, and seasonal beauty. The space now serves as a welcoming site for environmental education, community gatherings, and youth-led service learning.

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!