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About Saved By Nature
Saved By Nature is a Bay Area environmental justice nonprofit founded by Richard Tejeda in 2018, earning 501(c)(3) status in 2019. Our mission centers on connecting people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities to the natural wonders and recreational opportunities of the outdoors through transformative environmental education that promotes mental, physical, and spiritual healing in nature. Operating throughout Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo counties, we serve thousands of community members annually through evidence-based programs designed to address the environmental equity gap that leaves underserved populations with limited access to nature's restorative benefits.
Our Mission &
Environmental Justice Commitment
⚖️ Environmental justice recognizes that all people deserve equal access to clean air, safe water, and natural spaces regardless of race, income, or zip code. At Saved By Nature, this principle guides everything we do. 🤝 We work collaboratively with community partners to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), at-promise youth, seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities can experience nature's therapeutic power. Our programs intentionally serve communities historically excluded from outdoor spaces, addressing systemic barriers that have created unequal access to environmental benefits. 🌍 Through our environmental education initiatives, we teach residents about climate change impacts, water conservation, air quality protection, and environmental stewardship while creating meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
The Environmental Equity Gap We Address
📊 Studies consistently show that low-income communities and communities of color have significantly less access to parks, green spaces, and nature-based programs. This disparity contributes to health inequities, limited environmental awareness, and reduced opportunities for the mental and physical benefits that nature provides. Saved By Nature directly addresses this gap by: 🤝 Partnering with organizations serving underserved populations to eliminate participation barriers. 💵 Providing all programs at no cost to participants. 🌍 Offering multilingual and culturally responsive programming that honors diverse community backgrounds. 🌲 Bringing nature experiences directly to communities through accessible local parks and preserves. 💙 Creating safe, welcoming outdoor spaces where all community members feel valued and included.
Our Impact Since 2019
Since our founding, we have served over 12,000 participants through specialized outdoor therapeutic programs addressing critical gaps in environmental education access. Our approach combines therapeutic wilderness methodologies with community development strategies, creating transformative nature-based programs that build environmental stewardship while addressing social equity.
Youth Development Programs
🤝 Through strategic partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, Youth Alliance, and Fresh Lifelines for Youth, we provide intensive outdoor education that builds confidence, environmental awareness, and life skills for underserved youth. 🎓 Our youth programs have served over 6,900 young people through initiatives including the Summer Science Project, After School Field Trips, and Alive Outside Adventure Series.
Community Development Programs
🌿 We provide direct-access outdoor education experiences for adults, families, and seniors, creating meaningful pathways to nature connection across generations. Our Community Nature Hikes, Seniors Wellness Hikes, and Bay Area Coastal Adventures have served over 5,200 community members. ✅ All programs are completely free and include certified naturalists or guides, meals, water, equipment, permits, and transportation when needed. For detailed information about specific programs, visit our Programs page.
Organizational Values & Approach
Equity & Inclusion
🌍 We prioritize serving communities historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces, intentionally designing programs to address systemic barriers to nature access. ✅ Every program considers transportation accessibility, cultural relevance, language needs, and economic constraints.
Community Partnership
🤝 We recognize that effective environmental justice work requires deep collaboration with organizations already serving our target communities. 💙 Our partnerships enable us to reach populations who benefit most from nature connection while ensuring culturally competent program delivery.
Environmental Stewardship
🌱 Beyond providing access to nature, we cultivate environmental stewards who understand their connection to ecosystems and their role in protecting natural resources. 🎓 Our educational programming emphasizes climate change awareness, water conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable practices.
Healing & Wellness
💚 We acknowledge the therapeutic power of nature for mental, physical, and spiritual health. 🧘 Our programs intentionally create space for reflection, stress reduction, community connection, and personal growth through outdoor experiences.
Join Our Environmental Justice Mission
Ready to be part of the solution? Whether you're looking to experience transformative nature programs firsthand, explore our comprehensive outdoor education offerings, share your skills as a volunteer, or invest in environmental equity, there are multiple ways to help advance nature access for communities historically excluded from outdoor spaces.
Experience Environmental Justice in Action
Explore our upcoming free outdoor experiences that put environmental justice principles into practice. Join Community Nature Hikes, Bay Area Coastal Adventures, Senior Wellness programs, and seasonal activities designed to break down barriers and create equitable access to nature for all Bay Area communities.
Volunteer for Equity and Access in the Bay Area
Join our team of environmental justice advocates and help expand nature access for BIPOC communities, at-promise youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Whether you have outdoor leadership skills, language abilities, cultural competency, or simply a passion for equity, your support helps create transformative experiences that honor diverse community backgrounds.
Explore Our Environmental Equity Programs
Browse our complete range of environmental justice programs serving youth, families, seniors, and communities across the Bay Area. From intensive youth development initiatives to therapeutic wilderness experiences, explore how we're creating meaningful pathways to nature connection for historically underserved populations.
Invest in Environmental Justice and Equitable Access
Support programs that eliminate systemic barriers to nature access for underserved communities. Your contribution funds free outdoor education, transportation, equipment, meals, and culturally responsive programming that ensures all people can experience nature's therapeutic power regardless of race, income, or zip code.