Seniors Hike for Health
Let's get behind the Seniors Hike for Health program for 2025!
Dear Senior Hikers, 8/30/2024
I hope this message finds you well! I want to take a moment to share the inspiring journey of the Seniors Hike for Health program, which began in memory of my grandmother, who passed away on my birthday in 2017. Our very first Senior Hike for Health event took place on July 15th, 2019, at Ulistac Natural Area, followed by a wonderful outing to Guadalupe River Park in August. My main goal was simply to help seniors stay active and healthy, promoting joy and longevity in life. Looking back now, I am truly amazed at how much we have grown over these past five years. The sense of community we've built together is something truly special! Thank you for being part of this journey.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our main focus is not on generating profit but on raising funds to cover essential expenses. These funds help us manage staff administrative tasks, lead hikes, and provide lunch for participants. Unfortunately, over the past five years, we have not been successful in this area and have faced expenses instead. While grant opportunities are limited, we are committed to pursuing them for additional support.
We're excited to share an opportunity to support our beloved program and ensure its future sustainability! We're inviting event participants to become senior members for just $180 a year. If that amount feels a bit much all at once, don’t worry! We also offer a convenient recurring payment option of $15 a month. This will go a long way to help us meet our goals, but we have a big challenge ahead of us by January 2025 to keep our events thriving. We encourage you to make a pledge by December 31st. Our target is to welcome 88 members! Remember, a pledge is a promise to contribute a certain amount—it’s not a payment just yet. Feel free to consider pledging more than the membership amount if you’re able. Your support can truly make a difference!
This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to encourage seniors to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors. Together, we can help promote physical well-being, social connections, and a love for nature among our senior community. Supporting this program means supporting a healthier and happier lifestyle for all. Let's make it a success!
Richard D. Tejeda
Founder of Saved By Nature
Our naturalist-led hikes offer a fantastic opportunity for seniors aged 55 and up to enjoy the great outdoors while promoting healthy living, fun, and friendship. Our Seniors Hike for Health program is completely free and takes place on the third Tuesday of every month from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. The hikes are between 2-3 miles long and vary in difficulty from easy to moderate. To make the experience even better, we provide all participants with a complimentary sandwich, chips, and water.
Our hiking adventures take us to a variety of locations, including open space preserves, city parks, county parks, California State Parks, and beaches from San Francisco to Monterey Bay. During these hikes, we learn about the different habitats, plants, and animals, as well as the fascinating natural and cultural history of these areas.
The mental and physical benefits of our hikes are numerous, including improved cardiovascular health and circulation, reduced arthritis and joint pain, an increase in bone density, stronger muscles, decreased feelings of depression and isolation, improved cognitive function, mobility, and independence, better scores on memory tests, and improved reaction time.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities for 2024?
Please contact sponsor@savedbynature.org.
Saved By Nature is honored to announce a $5,000 sponsorship from Kaiser to support senior hikes held within Santa Clara County in 2024!
Seniors Hike for Health 2024 Events
January 16th - Ano Nuevo State Park
February 20th - Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve - Deer Hollow Farm
March 19th - Joseph D Grant County Park
Wednesday, April 17th, yes Wednesday Wildflowers! - Máyyan 'Ooyákma Open Space Preserve
May 21st - Sanborn County Park
June 18th - Big Basin Redwoods State Park
July 18th - Wunderlich County Park
August 20th - Shoreline Park at Moutain View - Tour of Historic Rengstorff House (Note: 11:00AM-2:00PM)
September 17th - Mt Madonna County Park - Hike
October 15th – Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - River Walk
(postponed)
November 19th - Natural Bridges State Beach - Monarch Butterflies
(postponed)
December 17th - Uvas County Park - Waterfalls
(postponed)
A celebration of Margarita Castaneda, Richard Tejeda's beautiful grandmother who passed on his birthday January 23rd 2017. Seniors Hike for Health was created in 2018, our first outing was in Spring of 2019.