Monterey County’s rich cultural traditions. “For several decades, we have visited Pacific Grove several times a year and always try to spend some time in the Museum of Natural History. We just returned last week from a family visit with our grandson and all he can say is ‘wow.’ Over the years, we’ve seen you upgrade the garden and change the big display spaces. To us, this is a whole different museum with over 400 birds, really great models of the Chinese fishing village, a world-class hands-on kids exploration area, and as always, a great staff. Thank you.” -Jesse Walden POINT LOBOS FOUNDATION Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 846 volunteers Budget: $1,565,912 (866) 338-7227 pointlobos.org BIG IDEA: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve welcomes nearly 900,000 visitors each year, about double the population of Monterey County. Point Lobos Foundation is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to relieve pressure on the reserve’s beloved trails and infrastructure while protecting wildlife and habitats. This year’s Big Idea, the Long-Term Conservation & Stewardship Program, will fund conservation efforts at Point Lobos and nearby Ishxenta State Park and Carmel River State Beach. “We imagine a coast that is protected and accessible; where all children and families throughout Monterey County can visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Ishxenta State Park and Carmel River State Beach with trails connecting the three parks into a single, remarkable experience, and with infrastructure that quietly serves our visitors without leaving a mark on the land it supports. Please join us in protecting California’s most treasured coastal landscapes for future generations.” -Betty Maurutto, Point Lobos Foundation board chair REGENERACIÓN – PAJARO VALLEY CLIMATE ACTION Year Founded: 2016 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 6.6 paid, 20 volunteers Budget: $1,040,840 (831) 288-7755 regenerationpajarovalley.org BIG IDEA: Regeneración – Pajaro Valley Climate Action believes the people most affected by climate 120 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM MONTEREY WATERKEEPER Year Founded: 2020 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 80 volunteers Budget: $267,495 (831) 204-1381 montereywaterkeeper.org BIG IDEA: Monterey Waterkeeper advocates for clean water countywide, with a special emphasis on helping marginalized and underserved communities access safe, affordable drinking water. This Big Idea holds polluters accountable via data-driven advocacy and Clean Water Act litigation. But the group also makes time to connect people with the resource they love. Monterey Waterkeeper leads weekly trips to Gabilan Creek, Elkhorn Slough, Salinas River and more, transforming families into community scientists with hands-on water testing and river restoration projects. “I first learned about Monterey Waterkeeper in 2025 when I volunteered at one of the kayaking cleanups on the Salinas River. That experience completely changed my relationship with the Salinas River because it was the first time I had been in the river’s water, observing up-close the incredible resilience of the riparian ecosystem. Since that day, I’ve closely followed the work of Monterey Waterkeeper and have participated in several events, such as river cleanups, habitat restoration activities, water quality monitoring and Salinas River Day celebrations. I love the mission to protect and restore fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters to the region.” -Mafe Gonzalez SPOTLIGHT ESSELEN TRIBE OF MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 2018 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 20 volunteers Budget: $2,015,207 (831) 301-3078 esselentribe.org BIG IDEA: Many sacred lands, waterways and wildlife of Monterey County are now under the supervision and protection of the Esselen Tribe and its projects promoting environmental sustainability, preservation and restoration of local habitat, plus wildfire prevention. In addition to conservation projects, the Esselen Tribe passes along Indigenous knowledge through cultural education programs and language revitalization efforts, while partnering with local agencies to increase access to ancestral lands. “As an Esselen tribal citizen, I was born and raised in Salinas, and my connection to the Tribe is deeply personal. My father, grandmother, uncles, and cousins lived on and cared for our ancestral lands, sharing them with family and community, shaping my appreciation for our heritage. Reclaiming our ancestral lands is especially meaningful, each Land Back acquisition brings cherished memories and creates new opportunities to reconnect with our history, culture and identity, giving me hope for future generations. I have learned so much since volunteering, and am eager to learn more. The Tribe invests in its people through fire training, cultural stewardship and education. It fills me with pride to see all we have accomplished.” -Kim Cose SPOTLIGHT
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