Farewell 2025!



As our year comes to an end let us savor these times with friends, family, and colleagues. This is a season for gratitude, generosity, and reflection. Here at HSP we are forever grateful for our support from the community. So many hands and hearts make this work possible, from the volunteers, to the donors, to our wonderful student employees and service learners. In the 30+ years that HSP has been in existence, we have had the privilege of meeting and working with thousands of volunteers and students. Some came for a day and some stayed for years, all made a difference. Cheers to a successful year and to all of our extended HSP family, stewards of habitat as well as community.

November seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. Things have been chugging along at HSP, we are up to all of our usual activities transplanting, park cleanups, field trips. Our first rain cancellation of the year came much earlier than expected due to the fall storms but on the whole we have been able to keep as productive as ever. Once again HSP is helping Fort Ord National Monument staff to grow and foster rare Contra Costa Goldfields. These special plants will be planted into beds for seed amplification as well as planted out at vernal pools located on the monument.

Upcoming Community Events

Everyone is welcome to our family-friendly FREE community events.

We provide gloves, tools, and supplies.

Sun protection, reusable water bottle, and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Keep checking our "Community Events Calendar" for updates or join us at DONS which runs year long!

Saturday, December 6th - Natividad Creek Park cleanup and wreathmaking

10:00AM-1:00PM

Location: Natividad Creek Park, Salinas

Join us as we clean up Natividad Creek and make festive holiday wreaths from native plants. Visit our website to register for this event! 

Saturday, December 6th - Planting at Marina Dunes Preserve

10:00AM-1:00PM

Location: Marina Dunes Preserve, Marina

Join us at MPRPD's Marina Dunes Preserve we plant native dune plants in critical dune habitat. Tools and snacks provided. Visit our website to register for this event! 

EVERY TUESDAY

| Email Christina McKnew at cmcknew@csumb.edu

10:30AM-12:30 PM

DONS (Docents of Native Species), native plant volunteer group

Location: Greenhouses near the CSUMB Watershed Institute-

4100 B St, Seaside, CA 93955

Click the Community Events button to learn more and sign up for an event!

Service Learners are Gifts to HSP

By Laura Lee Lienk, HSP Director

HSP feels great gratitude for our unique location on the CSUMB campus which gives us ready access to Service Learning students. Every semester for the last 30+ years, HSP has hosted Service Learning students from across campus. Every CSUMB student is required to take a service learning course in their major prior to graduation, and HSP Service Learners come from majors as diverse as business, computer technology, and, of course, environmental sciences.

On Tuesday, Nov 16, I chatted with Alex, Nick and Mia as they served at the HSP greenhouses by transplanting tiny seedlings, and planting native seeds. When I asked how their service with HSP fit into their future careers they talked about “real world experiences”, “first steps in the field of environmental science”, and “hands-on experiences with nature”. When asked about the People and Nature focus of HSP

and their service they talked about “appreciating connecting with people from the community”, how “HSP is inclusive and about taking care of the Earth”, and how they felt “more prepared to answer questions about plants and restoration”. I believe that they felt gratitude for having the opportunity to serve with HSP. And of course we, too, feel gifted by their thoughtful presence.

Spotlight on Our HSP Restoration & Education Staff

By Samuel Anaya-Alvarez, Education Program Coordinator

At CSUMB’s Habitat Stewardship Project (HSP), our staff bring passion, curiosity, and community spirit to every habitat restoration and environmental education day field trip. Each member’s journey is unique, but they all share one goal - inspiring the next generation to love and protect our environment.

Cori, (Student Restoration & Education Assistant) working with HSP is deeply personal. “I grew up with field trips in elementary school back when HSP was called Return of the Natives,” they recall. “Now I get to see what the next generation of kids are learning.” As an Environmental Science major, Cori values how this work connects classroom knowledge to real impact. “If community members aren’t taught about the environment from groups like HSP, they might never get that education anywhere else.” Their favorite part? “Planting native plants - it’s a tangible way I’m restoring the ecosystem in the Monterey area.”

Evelyn (Restoration & Lead Education Assistant), a CSUMB alum with a degree in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Education and Outreach, finds purpose in continuing to serve the community that shaped them. “I enjoy working with HSP because I get to give back and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards,” they share. HSP’s mission aligns perfectly with Evelyn’s passion for environmental education and outreach. “There’s no such thing as a boring day when nature is your office!”



Casey, (Student Restouration & Education Assistant) who studies Marine Science with a minor in Environmental Studies, the joy lies in connection - with people and with nature. “I love being able to interact with the kids from our community and teach them about the world around them,” they say. “HSP gives me insight into environmental education and conservation - and provides a community for myself, my coworkers, and everyone we meet.”



Together, our HSP team represents and embodies what it means to learn, teach, and care - cultivating not just native plants, but environmental stewards for generations to come.

From the film, "A Baffin Vacation_ Love on Ice" Photo by Erik Boomer

A Great HSP/Banff Holiday Gift Idea!

By Laura Lee Lienk, HSP Director

This year give tickets to HSP's upcoming Banff Mountain Film Festival to friends and loved ones. Taking place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey, this film festival is great fun for the whole family--and also a great way to support Habitat Stewardship Project.  

Click this link to purchase tickets!

Please note: This is the only official ticket site for the HSP Banff Film Festival.

Learn about Restoration in Monterey County