3. The Greening Class and Its Influence in La Calera

This text delves into the intricate microinteractions between newcomers and longtimers in La Calera. The complexity arises from the stark social class divide and the simultaneous need for social engagement and conflicting ideas about nature. These interactions are significantly influenced by environmental considerations, particularly the permitted uses of nature and their impact on the landscape. Class dynamics manifest in the imposition of “green” practices by privileged groups, despite longtimer communities’ need to exploit nature for their livelihoods. While tensions among neighbors are present, newcomers impose restrictions on social practices previously embraced by the long-time residents, driven by concrete concerns about environmental aesthetics and preservation. Paradoxically, newcomers, despite their own landscape-altering housing developments, perceive themselves as protectors of the area’s first nature attributes while constraining second nature interventions. Acknowledging their position of power, newcomers adopt a paternalistic stance, aiming to instruct longtimers on “good” practices, though such efforts are met with resistance and demands for compensation. Notably, interactions between groups can also be egalitarian and functional, exemplified by pre-k programs and employment relationships. These microlevel symbolic and community connections serve as a foundation for environmental preservation and are echoed in macrolevel discussions involving state involvement. Shared ecological goals have the potential to transcend class differences, animosity, and condescension, facilitating coalition-building for environmental concerns. Demand for the enforcement of environmental protection laws empowers residents to shape the natural landscape while grappling with infrastructure challenges, such as water scarcity.