Support our Efforts in the Santa Monica Mountains
At Santa Monica Mountains Fund, we are dedicated to safeguarding the natural beauty, biodiversity, and ecosystems of the Santa Monica Mountains through various programs and initiatives designed to engage the community in conservation.
Plant Nursery: Ecology & Education
Our mission is to support conservation in the Santa Monica Mountains while welcoming the public to learn and grow with us.
Native Seed Program
We collect and clean native seeds, ensuring conservation-quality seed samples of over 600 species of the plants native to the Santa Monica Mountains.
Herbarium
We grow over 100,000 plants a year, curating a world-class herbarium for current and future scientific research.
Coming Soon
Interns and Education
We recruit and train as many interns, entry-level workers and volunteers as possible. They learn about California native plant botany, horticultural practices, and habitat restoration techniques.
Oxnard Young Ecologists
We work with High School students from Oxnard and introduce them to careers in habitat restoration with native plants, botany, and other related topics.
Plant Nursery: In the community
Nursery Workshops
We offer free and low-cost native plant education to all of Southern California through workshops, classes and conferences.
Monarchs & Milkweed
We provide free plants and seed to local underserved groups, including local tribes, community gardens, land trusts, and others.
YouTube Channel
We have created a number of educational videos for all to view and learn! Check out our online video educational resource.
Wildlife
Our mission is to support conservation in the Santa Monica Mountains while welcoming the public to learn and grow with us.
Break The Poison Chain
Break the Poison Chain is a joint campaign with National Park Service to provide information on how to avoid using rat poison when dealing with pest problems on your property. As part of the NPS Nature Neighbor campaign, this campaign highlights another way in which people can live in proximity to wildlife.
Nature Neighbor
Living so close to wild places and wildlife can present challenges. The Nature Neighbors Project aims to educate communities in understanding how to live close to wildlife, value natural habitats, and approach the challenges of co-existing with nature.
SAMO funD's Quiet Role: Supporting the Wildlife Crossing
SAMO Fund has contributed more than $1 million to growing plants for the wildlife research and funding wildlife research leading to the construction of the world’s largest Wildlife crossing
Preserving biodiversity
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a haven for thousands of species of wildlife – animals and plants. As one of the few protected Mediterranean places in the world, this area is an extraordinary example of biodiversity.
Habitat Restoration
Restoring the land is at the heart of what we do. In a region shaped by wildfire, drought, and development, recovery isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing commitment. We partner with the National Park Service and California State Parks to bring damaged ecosystems back to life and give native plants and wildlife a fighting chance.
Since 2018, we’ve planted over 180,000 native trees and plants across burned and degraded landscapes in the Santa Monica Mountains. That includes steep canyon slopes, creek beds choked by invasive weeds, and hillsides scorched by wildfires like Woolsey, Franklin, and Palisades. Every plant we put in the ground is grown locally from seed, often by our own team at the SAMO Fund nurseries and seed farm.
At the center of this effort is our native seed farm, a first-of-its-kind operation in the region. We grow tens of thousands of native plants from seed every year, focusing on species that are hard to find, slow to grow, or critical to fire recovery. This seed stock supports our own restoration sites and helps supply projects led by our park partners and conservation allies. The farm also serves as a training ground, where young adults in our SAMO Youth program and volunteers from the community gain hands-on experience in ecological restoration.
Our crews clear invasives, stabilize soil, and replant with species that belong here. We approach each site with fire ecology in mind, choosing plants that are adapted to this climate and that support native birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. It’s not fast work, but it’s the kind that lasts. And we don’t do it alone. Volunteers, interns, youth crews, and restoration specialists all play a part in this effort. Whether it’s a community planting day or a full-scale watershed restoration project, we believe in showing up, year after year, until the land can stand on its own again.
Workforce Development: Cultivating Young Adults as Future Environmental Leaders
Our SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS FUND Youth program is an award-winning, immersive, paid internship initiative that provides hands-on work experience in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Each year, we welcome 18 college students and recent graduates for seasonal summer positions, with opportunities for eligible participants to extend their employment.
For the Classroom
Youth Field Trips
Our field trip programs, jointly managed by SAMO Fund, the National Park Service, and California State Parks, provide students with a free day of adventure and learning in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Guided by both National Park and State Park Rangers, these experiences inspire the next generation of park stewards and help young people discover the public lands in their own backyard.
Each year, the programs welcome around 25,000 students from Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, 96% of whom attend Title I schools that may not have the resources to offer outdoor education.
For many, it’s their first ever visit to the great outdoors
Interested in a Pollinator Garden at your school?
Apply for the Blossoming Futures ProgramPre-made Lesson Plans
Exploring Monarch Butterflies
Download a pre-made curriculum exploring Monarch Butterflies tailored into separate, age-appropriate lesson plans ready for you to use with your class.
Each grade level includes both English and Spanish language
SAMO Fund Coloring Book Companion
Download the companion curriculum meant to work alongside the SAMO Fund Coloring Book.
Be sure to order the coloring book on our Store page FREE of charge, just pay for shipping.
DISCLAIMER
The curriculum materials provided by the Santa Monica Mountains Fund are intended for educational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained within these materials, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund makes no guarantees, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information.
USE OF MATERIALS
By using these materials, you agree to use them solely for non-commercial, educational purposes. You may reproduce and distribute the materials for educational purposes, provided that appropriate credit is given to the Santa Monica Mountains Fund.
NO ENDORSEMENT
Reference to any specific commercial product, process, service, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the Santa Monica Mountains Fund. The views and opinions expressed in the curriculum materials do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund.
LIABILITY
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the materials nor for any loss, injury, or damage caused, either directly or indirectly, by the use or reliance on these materials. Users are encouraged to verify any information used from the materials.
EXTERNAL LINKS
The curriculum may contain links to external websites. The Santa Monica Mountains Fund is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such sites and encourages users to review the privacy policies of these websites.
MODIFICATIONS
ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
Support Our Mission.
We are delighted to provide these curriculum materials free of charge. However, as a fundraising organization, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund relies on donations to support our mission of preserving and protecting the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. If you find value in these materials, please consider making a donation to help us continue our important work. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Park Projects
Our mission is to support conservation in the Santa Monica Mountains while welcoming the public to learn and grow with us.
Maintaining Our Trails
We work year-round to keep over 500 miles of trails — including the iconic 67-mile Backbone Trail — safe, accessible, and beautiful. From repairing erosion to clearing overgrowth, our efforts ensure that everyone can enjoy the Santa Monica Mountains for generations to come.
Paramount Project
The Paramount Project preserves and restores the historic landscapes and cultural heritage of the Santa Monica Mountains’ iconic Paramount Ranch. From maintaining its scenic trails to protecting wildlife habitats, this work ensures that visitors can continue to explore and enjoy one of the park’s most beloved destinations for recreation, history, and Hollywood legacy.
Trail Bridges
Trail bridges connect people to some of the most scenic and remote areas of the Santa Monica Mountains. By repairing and replacing aging structures, we ensure safe crossings over streams and canyons while protecting sensitive habitats below. These bridges keep trails open year-round and enhance access for hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike.
Cultural Preservation
We work to protect the rich cultural heritage of the Santa Monica Mountains, from Native American archaeological sites to historic ranches and film locations. Through restoration, education, and stewardship, we ensure these stories and landmarks are preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.