SEMPERVIRENS FUND
Invite reviews
In 2000, I was a member of the California State Assembly, and authored the largest park and environmental protection bond in the nation's history. Two years later, in 2002, I authored another park bond, and that was voted into law by the voters of California. Together, these bond measures provided $4.7 billion for parks and environmental protection. Sempervirens Fund has worked for several years with both California State Parks and other entities (such as the Penninsula Open Space Trust) to acquire and manage some of California's most previous redwood habitat. Sempervirens Fund understands how to work strategically to maximize donor's funds together with public funding. By doing so, Sempervirens Fund is able to preserve both precious redwoods and the unique habitat in which they grow and thrive. It is worthy of note that Sempervirens Fund's mission and actions have, for over 100 yeasr, protected a species of tree that is recognized throughout the world as one of the half dozen or so symbols of California. The redwood, the Big Sur coast, the Sierra Nevada range, the Golden Gate Bridge, the "Hollywood" sign...each are known by folks throughout the world as "California." Sempervirens Fund is doing legacy work for all of us. Fred Keeley Treasurer County of Santa Cruz Board Member, Sempervirens Fund
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my everyday life for more than thirty years. I live in Santa Cruz, and each day enjoy, as millions of visitors to the Central Coast do, the fine legacy work of Sempervirens Fund.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Add more folks to the Board, which already has many, many talented folks, so that we could expand our efforts more quickly.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I enjoy the strategic thinking, thoughtful action, and positive energy the Board, staff, and donors contribute to the overall protection and enhancement of the California redwoods and their delicate habitat.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
uniformly thoughtful, caring, dedicated, and fully engaged in positive environmental protection.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
realize the dream of establishing the "Great Park" to preserve the most important habitat for redwoods. This will provide assurance that redwoods, some of which easily predated the arrival of Europeans on the North American continent, will be here.
Ways to make it better...
I had the $10 million!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Fully communicating with folks in California and beyond the real threat that exists to the historic redwoods and their very special habitat.
One thing I'd also say is that...
to understand the value of a redwood can truly only happen when you stand next to one with someone (and their child) who has not stood and been awed by one before. It causes a person to become much more respectful of nature.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have worked with Sempervirens Fund as a board member for many years. It preserves wildlands in the Santa Cruz Mountains and usually provides public access to the acquired properties. I enjoy being able to use the newly opened trails with friends. Because Sempervirens efforts are focused locally, staff, volunteers and contributors can readily see and experience the consequence of its activities.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
that I am able to contribute to its efforts at preservation while doing what I enjoy - exploring our local forests and mountains.
Ways to make it better...
if I had started participating earlier in my life.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
The Sempervirens Fund is the oldest land trust in California and the second oldest in the United States. Founded in 1900, Sempervirens Fund was instrumental in creating the first state park in California (Big Basin Redwoods) and was the first organization to preserve old-growth redwoods. Sempervirens continues to protect critical and threatened lands in the Santa Cruz mountains, adjacent to millions of residents of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hiking and camping in the glorious california redwoods.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make even more people aware of the great work being done.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The combination of a venerable 100 year heritage coupled with the ability to respond to the issues of today.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Intelligent, dedicated and knowledgable.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Buy even more land so that the various parks and public lands in the Santa Cruz Mountains could be combined - resulting in larger and more viable ecosystems.
Ways to make it better...
If there were even more lands protected.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The financial pressures being faced by the California State Parks.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The land preserved by the Sempervirens Fund has been an invaluable asset to the quality of life enjoyed by San Francisco bay area residents and anyone who has ever visited the Bay Area.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Sempervirens Fund has preserved over 50,000 acres of redwood forest and is now acting on an extraordinary vision of turning the Santa Cruz Mountains of coastal northern California into a "Great Park" as large as National Parks in Utah. Our region is heavily populated - the Great Park will not only preserve trees and rare habitats. but will preserve the sanity of the San Francisco Peninsula residents for all time. The "Great Park" will forever preserve a beautiful natural area from development.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
walks in the woods which Sempervirens Fund has preserved.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Sempervirens Fund is committed to protecting and preserving redwood forests and other natural features of California's Santa Cruz Mountains. Over the years, it has been instrumental in creating four state parks and protecting tens of thousands of acres of redwood forests. Last month Sempervirens purchased two large parcels from a major timber company. One parcel will be key to Castle Rock and Big Basin State Parks and presrved hundred year old trees that were approved for timber harvest in June. The other parcel preserved habitat for the critically endangered marbled murrelets. A celebratory lunch was held at the first site and was attended by 300 members and by the leadership of the California State Parks system. The weather was beautiful, the location magnificent, and everything went forward flawlessly despite a heavy downpour the previous day. The strength of this organization is its highly profesional staff and its 7000 committed members. The challenge for the future is to work collaboratively with other conservation entities and agencies without losing its geographical focus.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
acquiring and protecting redwood forests.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the great feeling of saving these forests for future generations to enjoy and to be inspired.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
deeply committed to the mission and very helpful to others.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
buy more redwood lands.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have had the pleasure of serving on the Sempervirens Fund Board of Directors for a number of years. I am continually impressed and gratified by the organization's ability to complete major transactions efficiently and in alignment with its mission. The lean and professional staff is well supported by a dedicated Board of Directors and incredible generous and engaged members. Bottomline, they get it done and make s significant, positive difference.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their effectiveness in closong major land acquisitions, both independently and in collaboration with others.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews