Mission

To bring people closer to nature and nature closer to people through hands-on experiences restoring habitats and environmental education

The Big Idea

In our 30th year of habitat restoration, the Habitat Stewardship Project continues to connect school children and community members to nature through nature exploration and stewardship events. Salinas Valley kids see the ocean for the first time, farmworker families go on one-day vacations where they relax in nature, college students gain outdoor leadership skills. Over 11,000 native plants are out-planted to create habitat, and parks and open spaces are cleared of litter. Monday through Friday HSP staff lead classes of elementary school-kids on nature field trips, while on Saturdays weekend volunteer events.

During my 10 months of AmeriCrops VIP service, HSP has fostered my love and care for the environment while also helping me to ignite that spark in others. It has shown me how connecting the community with the local environment is crucial to protecting our planet. Through weekend events, volunteer groups, community members, and school students; I have witnessed the excitement of many to know the tree they planted will become huge one day, their care for animals and people as they clean up parks, and the drive they gain to continue making a difference in the community. HSP provides the opportunity to make a difference in local parks and outdoor spaces through collaborative work, I am grateful that I was able to contribute to this effort to create a reality for others that I wish I had growing up.

- Jeni Schmedding