501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 2019.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

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Youth Alliance - Black Mountain Backpacking Camp

Youth Alliance - Black Mountain Backpacking Camp-43F4-B26D-B4A79A01CD90

Headwaters to the Bay - Alviso Marina County Park

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Our mission is to inspire people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities to explore the natural wonders and recreational opportunities of the outdoors through transformative environmental education. We collaborate with partners to ensure mental, physical, and spiritual healing in nature.

Our vision is to create equitable access to nature for all, fostering advocacy and environmental stewardship through transformative, safe, and engaging experiences that heal and connect communities.

As of March 2025,

SAVED BY NATURE HAS

Led 4,589 community members on memorable outdoor adventures, fostering connection with nature and inspiring exploration of the great outdoors.

Guided 941 seniors on enriching hikes, promoting health, wellness, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Delivered engaging outdoor environmental education programs, inspiring 4,584 at-promise youth to connect with nature and embrace environmental stewardship.

OUR VALUES

56276017_309966213020138_698560221487824

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

INCLUSION

56920237_315931699090256_257160830981557

OUTDOORS FOR EVERYONE

BAY NATURE'S 2022 COMMUNITY HERO

Learn More

Thank You to Our Grantors & Sponsors!

🌿Seniors Hike for Health

Empowering older adults through nature since our very first hike at Ulistac Natural Area in 2019. From boosted balance to better blood pressure, this program has supported hundreds of seniors—some hiking with us for six years!

💚 It hasn’t always been an easy trail, but at Saved By Nature, we never quit. In fact, we’re just getting stronger—with support from Silicon Valley Community Foundation ($11,000 grant) and Kaiser Permanente ($2,000 sponsorship). Their generosity ensures this healing program continues to thrive.

🌹 This special event is held in memory of Margarita Castaneda, beloved grandmother of founder Richard Tejeda, who passed on his birthday in 2017. Her spirit blossomed through roses and long penny walks, inspiring the roots of our Seniors Hike for Health program.

🎉 Join us Wednesday, July 16th · 10AM–2PM
📍 Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
🐾 Kick things off with a special wildlife presentation by Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC)
🥾 Followed by a community hike led by our friend Craig Edgerton to the overlook
🍽️ Lunch provided · ❤️ Community guaranteed

🔗 Register via the link in our bio
🌟 ¡Sí, se puede!

#SeniorsHikeForHealth #SavedByNature #HealthyLifestyle #NatureHeals #CommunityPower #SiliconValleyCommunityFoundation #CoyoteValley #WildlifeEducation #SiSePuede #SiliconValleyStrong #KaiserPermanente #InMemoryOfMargarita #ActiveAging #NatureWellness #TrailTogether

🌿 6th Annual Inclusive Nature Hike 🌿

Resilience. Community. Nature.

Join us on Sunday, July 13th at Rancho del Oso, a lower unit of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, for a powerful day in the outdoors. Co-hosted by Latino Outdoors and made possible by Parks California, this annual tradition welcomes all ages and all abilities to experience the joy of hiking, learning, and connecting with nature.

After the devastation of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires, both Big Basin and Rancho del Oso were forever changed—but through community, feedback, and the spirit of reimagining together, we’re proud to return and continue rebuilding. This is a story of resilience—and you’re part of it.

✨ Activities include:
– An inclusive group hike along the Marsh Trail
– Tours of the Rancho del Oso Welcome and Nature and History Centers
– Community partner tables: Waddell Creek Association, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, California State Parks, Parks California, and more
– Free lunch: tacos, beans, rice, and refreshing agua fresca 🍽️

Let’s walk, reflect, and celebrate what it means to belong in nature.
📝 Register now: link in bio
📍 Rancho del Oso | Big Basin Redwoods State Park

#InclusiveNatureHike #SavedByNature #LatinoOutdoors #ParksCalifornia #BigBasinStrong #RanchoDelOso #NatureForAll #ReimaginingBigBasin
@losanfranciscobayarea
@parkscalifornia
@friendsofscstateparks
@waddell_creek_association
@santacruzstatebeaches

🌊🎣 This past Saturday’s Surf Fishing Trip at Manresa State Beach on Free Fishing Day was a total catch—minus the halibut 😉. Huge thanks to our co-hosts Latino Outdoors for making the day unforgettable, and to California State Parks Interpreter “Star” 🌟 for teaching us about the incredible creatures that call this coastline home 🦀🪸🐚.

We’re proud to be part of the feedback survey process led by our grantor Parks California 📝—giving voice to the features and changes we hope to see across our parks and beaches to make them more inclusive and accessible for all 🏞️.

A heartfelt thank-you to our interns Joseph, Eva, and Mana, volunteer Tanya, and staff Lillian for your amazing support. You help bring these moments to life 💚

🌅 It was a beautiful day on the California Coast filled with learning, laughter, and community connection. We didn’t catch a halibut… but we definitely caught a good time and even better company.

🎉 See you this Sunday at the 6th Annual Inclusive Nature Hike with @latinooutdoors and partners at Rancho del Oro – Big Basin Redwoods State Park for another unforgettable outdoor celebration! ✨
🌼🎉💚🌮🥾🌄🌲
#FreeFishingDay #ManresaStateBeach #LatinoOutdoors #SavedByNature #NatureForAll #CaliforniaStateParks #ParksCalifornia #CommunityInNature #InclusiveOutdoors #FishTogetherLearnTogether #BigBasinRedwoods #SurfFishing #ConservationInAction #NatureHeals #EnvironmentalEducation #GetOutside
@parkscalifornia
@losanfranciscobayarea
@saved_by.nature

🌊 We walk the land so we can understand the water.

For two years, Headwaters to the Bay brought families and individuals into relationship with the creeks, rivers, and watersheds that flow into our Bay. From redwoods to ridgelines, Coyote Creek to Guadalupe River—we walked together. Parents and children. Elders and youth. For many, it was a first time on the trail.

It was more than hiking. It was natural & cultural history, healing, and connection.

We didn’t get renewed funding, and the program has come to a close—for now.
But we still believe in the work.
And we’re not done walking.

Headwaters to the Bay still flows—through us, because of you.

👣 16 interpretive hikes
♻️ 6 educational river cleanups
👥 471 participants
✍️ 70% survey response rate
📈 75% reported meaningful learning outcomes

Thank you for being part of the journey.

—
Richard Tejeda
Founder & Executive Director
@savedbynature

#HeadwatersToTheBay
#WeStillShowUp
#WatershedConnection
#OutdoorEquity
#SavedByNature

Behind the Thank Yous

Most people see the highlight reels.
Not the late nights writing grant proposals that never even get a reply.

We were recently denied three major grants—

One to sustain our youth programs for at-promise, court-involved, and reentry youth
One to renew Headwaters to the Bay, our watershed program for families and individuals
And most recently, one to continue Dock of the Bay, our coast-based camping and kayaking experiences
No feedback. Just closed doors.

But those we serve don’t know that.
And they won’t.
Because we keep showing up.
7 years. 🌿
More than 5,000 youth.
Every step, earned. 👣

We weren’t funded.
But we’re not done.
We’ve barely begun. 🔥

— Richard Tejeda
Founder & Executive Director
@savedbynature

#SavedByNature #NeverQuitNeverDid #EnvironmentalJustice #WeStillShowUp #CommunityResilience #OutdoorEquity

🌱 Summer Science Project: A Shared Journey Since 2019

“As someone who grew up with the Boys & Girls Club and now leads Saved By Nature, I’m honored to be part of a youth program rooted in community.” -Richard Tejeda

Since 2019, the Summer Science Project has delivered 210 hands-on events, reaching 2,000+ young people across the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley.

This movement wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of Valley Water, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, SF Bay Wildlife Society, Garden to Table Silicon Valley, and the Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center. Grateful to walk this path with you.

We’re also welcoming three new SBN interns—Mana, Eva & Joseph—who’ve brought passion and purpose from day one. Eva and Mana kicked off the season at Si Se Puede BGC with wildlife pelts, skulls, antlers, tracks, and hands-on mold kits.

✨ Mana: “It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you don’t stop.”
🌟 Eva: “Had an absolute blast teaching the kids about our native wildlife! Seeing their faces light up with excitement reminded me we’re making a real impact on the community.”

Joseph, along with Eva and Mana, are helping us build our first intern space—plus this week, they’re heading out to learn interpretation techniques during guided hikes.

These paid internships are supported by the County of Santa Clara Intern & Earn – Employment Connection program, empowering youth through career-building opportunities.
#SavedByNature #SummerScienceProject #SBNInterns #YouthEducation #NatureForAll #UrbanNature #InternAndEarn #CommunityInNature #InterpretationInAction #EnvironmentalEducation #SiliconValleyYouth
🦋⭐️🦌🥾🥗🥪🏞️🔥💦🙏🏼⚖️🦄☘️🦅
This project is also funded in part by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority – Urban Grant Program.
@open_space_authority

@scvwd @usfws @sfbayws @garden2tablesv @wercmh @bgclubsv

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@saved_by.nature

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 2019. UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

​

Follow us on Instagram

Our mission is to inspire people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities to explore the natural wonders and recreational opportunities of the outdoors through transformative environmental education. We collaborate with partners to ensure mental, physical, and spiritual healing in nature.

Our vision is to create equitable access to nature for all, fostering advocacy and environmental stewardship through transformative, safe, and engaging experiences that heal and connect communities.

As of March 2025,

SAVED BY NATURE HAS

OUR VALUES

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

INCLUSION

OUTDOORS FOR EVERYONE

BAY NATURE'S 2022 COMMUNITY HERO

​

Follow us on Instagram

Spark Good Round Up

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 2019.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2025