My Nonprofit Reviews

I was amazed to learn when I moved here 25 years ago that wild salmon still swim in streams in the San Geronimo Valley, literally 45 minutes from San Francisco. My children grew up seeing these gigantic, cherry-red fish swim up the creeks and jump waterfalls. SPAWN is working to ensure that these fish survive for the future, and brings together volunteers who literally weave streamside habitats from willow trees, redwood forest plants and thousands of native grass seeds. It's a surprisingly hard fight to keep the streams that are left from being developed. People who care about endangered animals globally sometimes have a hard time seeing the value of those in their backyards. SPAWN is committed to protecting the salmon forever, and they have the know-how and persistence to get it done.

Turtle Island Restoration Network is an organization of about a dozen staff members and over a thousand volunteers that takes on significant issues that are driving endangered ocean animals towards extinction. The organization's focus on saving sea turtles, marine mammals, sharks and wild salmon is passionate and their programs are effective. Focusing on these species provides an entryway for people to work to stop climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing and coastal development that feels manageable. Turtle Island Restoration Network's staff and volunteers are some of the most passionate and committed people I have ever met. They are often stretching to do everything they hope to accomplish, more support would help them do even more!