Who We Are
The purpose of the California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF) is to collaborate with stakeholders to build a network of carbon-neutral urban land use models that will demonstrate to others that local solutions can solve the four most critical issues of our time: The Global Climate Emergency, the Ecological Crisis, the Soil Crisis, and Nature Deficit Disorder among youth. Our goals are to teach all citizens of the world the skills to create regenerative urban food systems, protect ecosystems services, build healthy soils, and sequester carbon.
Read more about who we are.
What We Do
Initiatives:
Lab for Nature-Based Urban Living
The Lab for Nature-Based Urban Living is a model for future land use. It is a new vision for urban land use and for the gardens at 76 Race St in midtown San Jose, where CNGF operates.
ELSEE – An Educational Model
Providing youth with skills to build a resilient economy – ELSEE has two key components: 1) an educational garden and living laboratory; and 2) a set of curriculum to reconnect youth with nature.
Programs:
Design – Build – Manage
CNGF offers ecological garden design, build, and management services. We specialize in garden landscape designs that reflect the natural beauty of California, conserve precious natural resources and link the urban landscape closer to nature.
Hester Farm
Hester is an Experimental Regenerative Organic Agriculture (ROA) farm that is run by community volunteers, college interns, and high school students. The farm is located at Hester School and is used for teaching, training, and research.
Youth Programs
We offer Pre-K Playgroup for ages 3-5, Homeschool Group for ages 5-11, and Summer Nature Camp for ages 5-12. Children learn about native plants and animals through play, stories, songs, cooking, art, science, and, of course, gardening!
Classes & Workshops
CNGF offers fun classes and workshops throughout the year. Be sure to check our website for new additions!
Farmers’ Market
CNGF will soon participate in the Rose Garden Farmers’ Market selling produce grown at Hester Farm, as well as a variety of specialty items.
Work With Us
Volunteers
We offer several fulfilling and exciting volunteer opportunities at one of several CNGF gardens. The core ways to become a part of our community include monthly volunteer training as well as a weekly volunteer social.
College Interns
We serve students from local colleges and universities, as well as national and international. The program provides students and graduates the opportunity to cultivate skills that are not taught in the traditional classroom.