Our mission is to bring nature closer to people, and people closer to nature through hands-on experiences in community based habitat restoration and environmental education
Scroll down to learn more about our upcoming events, fun plant facts, and more!
This Month's Highlights
We are continuously working hard at the greenhouse to make sure we can grow sproutlings from seeds and get awesome native plants out into the community! Along with coyote sightings there are also bb cat sightings these last few weeks, very exciting!

March was definitely a busy time for panting events with our partner sites every weekend! Now as we enter into April, we are finishing up our busy season of plantings but continuing on with our great work in public education and preparing for Earth Day!
Volunteer of the Month
RON thrives on public volunteers and we love to give our thanks for their awesome work! This month we highlight Elizabeth, a local college student who is working with us this semester. Here's what Elizabeth has to say on volunteering:

"Hi! My name is Elizabeth Delgado and I am currently a service learner for Return of the Natives. I believe volunteering is important because it allows for anyone to learn more about certain communities and also to build a connection to those communities. Volunteering for RON has been an amazing experience so far and it has helped to me learn more about the wildlife, nature, and community of Monterey County and also all of California :)."
Nature joke: Why do plants hate math? (Answer at end of newsletter)
What are we up to?
  • We are currently in the works for getting RON back to its roots! Return of the Natives started as a program by working with school gardens and educating kids. While we continuously work with students, we have not had the pleasure of working in school gardens for quite some time. We hope later this year we can go back to where we started and get back to schools! We anticipate these next few months as we try and get the process going!
  • Next month is Laura Lee's birthday! We want to celebrate our awesome director's birthday by doing a virtual party/ fundraiser for our small no-profit! Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts for updates as we set up a Go Fund Me for RON and plan a virtual party with the help of service learners!
  • One of our service learners named Jack created a video of his process cooking a Native American inspired dish and has uploaded it on his YouTube channel! It's awesome! Click on this link to watch!
  • April 22nd marks the 51st Earth Day in the United States! Very exciting! As an environmental program, Earth Day is a pretty big deal! We are in the works of creating something fun! Look forward to seeing what it was next month!
Plant Spotlight
RON & BANFF!
The RON & BANFF fundraising is still going! Tickets are available for purchase until October 2021. The perfect gift for nature and outdoor lovers! Give the gift of a lifetime made available right at your fingertips to view from the comfort of your own home! Or give yourself a much deserved treat. Thank you to all our RON friends for helping to support our small non-profit! Click on the image or click this link.
Click on the image to be directed!
Kid Science and Nature Podcast Recommendations
Kid Science and Nature Book Recommendations
Science and Nature Podcast Recommendations
Science and Nature Book Recommendations
RON YouTube Channel

Check out Return of the Natives Watershed Institute YouTube Channel to learn more about native plants, crafts, and more!
Restore-ers Program
We are seeking motivated individuals interested in:

  • in-depth training in restoration and Monterey County native plants

  • leadership positions

  • on-going volunteer work through our Restore-ers volunteer program.
Restore-ers will receive twice annual training on topics ranging from native plant care, leadership skills, planting techniques and outdoor safety.


R.O.N.’s Restore-ers program follows the academic year from late August to late April.

Members of our Restore-ers team make a commitment to:

  • Attend two trainings per year

  • Attend at least 1 Greenhouse work day

  • Attend at least 4 weekend community events

  • Attend at least 1 weekend community event in Salinas and 1 weekend community event in Monterey or Seaside

  • Attend at least 1 tabling/outreach event

**Due to covid-19 restrictions, there are currently no tabling or community events, will be strictly planting events for time being.**

email friends.of.ron@gmail.com if interested or if you have any other questions!




Nature joke answer: It gives them square roots!
Check out our social media sites!
Learn more on native plants and invasive species through our social media accounts! Be on the look out for special projects created by service learners joining us this semester!
Return of the Natives
friends.of.ron@gmail.com