My Nonprofit Reviews
fred-keeley
Review for Sempervirens Fund, San Jose, CA, USA
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
More Feedback
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.
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.
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
