The mission of Elkhorn Slough Foundation is to conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. We see Elkhorn Slough and its watershed protected forever—a working landscape where people, farming, industry, and nature thrive together.
Thanks to decades of remarkable community support, ESF proudly protects over 4,200 acres of vibrant wetlands and oak woodlands, organic farms, and more. As federal funding becomes increasingly uncertain, we are relying on you, our community, to help us continue our work in the watershed.
We protect and restore Elkhorn Slough by conserving rare habitats, supporting the recovery of endangered species, and modeling how working landscapes and healthy ecosystems can coexist. Our programs invite local youth and families to learn about and connect with the land, fostering inclusive community participation in conservation.
Together, we are shaping a future where nature can thrive, young people have safe places to learn and explore, and the community can nurture a tradition of environmental care. Elkhorn Slough is resilient, and with your continued support, we can ensure it stays that way for generations to come.
ESF's stewardship and community outreach programs have far-reaching impacts across Monterey County. Our work creates a ripple effect, supporting the habitats and communities of the Elkhorn Slough watershed while benefiting the broader Monterey County.
Our community outreach programs annually engage hundreds of students, youth, volunteers, and families living in Monterey County, providing access to natural lands, environmental literacy education, and opportunities for environmental stewardship.
Our stewardship initiatives play a crucial role in nurturing the ecosystems of the Elkhorn Slough watershed. By retiring unproductive farms from cultivation and restoring native vegetation, our activities recharge the local aquifer and prevent pollutants from entering waterways, preserving the health of Monterey Bay.
We prioritize restoring habitat for endangered and threatened species, some of which exist nowhere else. These efforts increase climate resilience for neighboring communities at heightened risk from wildfire and drought.
Elkhorn Slough Foundation has helped us connect with nature again. I live ten minutes away from Moss Landing, and I’d never been kayaking before. So many in our community grew up surrounded by nature, but now live in cities, and they’re scared of going out. They don’t know the language, they don’t know where they can go to parks. I’d love to volunteer to get people outside. It would be beautiful to connect with them and say, ‘There is a place you can go on walks. If you want to go, I’ll take you.’
- Leonor Mendoza, North Monterey County
