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
Greenhouse coordinator Christina and some RON crew are continuously working on site and taking care of all the amazing native plants!

Throughout this pandemic, work has been a bit difficult from lack of volunteers with social restrictions put in place. Now that Monterey County is becoming less restrictive, we are soon expecting some of the RON's DONS will be returning and lending their very needed help and hands! The RON's DONS program has been closed since last March.
Volunteer of the Month
RON thrives on public volunteers and we love to give our thanks for their awesome work! This month we highlight Fariah, a local college student who is working with us this semester. Here's what Fariah has to say on volunteering:

"Volunteering is a great way to dedicate your time, knowledge and skills to the community. The community invests in students like me so we can get a great education, and I’ve learned through experience that volunteering is a good way to give back. I learned about RON through my university and joined because I admired their mission to minimize the gap between nature and people. My work with RON has taught me about endangered wildlife, local habitats, and the importance of nature and restoration. It has been a great learning opportunity these past few months and has given me the tools to apply my experience beyond the classroom. I am truly grateful to have volunteered with RON!"





Thanks so much Fariah!
Nature joke: How do you cut a wave in half? (Answer at end of newsletter)
What's new?
  • Our service learners will be finishing with us this month! We thank them for their help over the semester in public outreach and content! Be sure to check out our social media and see the last of their projects! Links to our social media near the end of this newsletter! Also, congrats to the graduating class of 2021!!
  • Over the summer RON will be collecting seeds of native plants! Climate change has caused plants to bloom and become dormant or die too early in the year and in order to ensure hat we have many native plants out in nature as possible we will gladly do seed collections. RON cares for nature be it plants or wildlife. Restoration+ conservation+ education= Return of the Natives!
  • May 7th is Laura Lee's birthday! Help us celebrate our amazing director next Friday during a virtual celebration. See the invite and links below!
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: Use a sea saw!
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