I was inspired to start this non-profit from family road trips to national parks that my sister organized. Every time we went somewhere, I was blown away by what I learned, but I also understood that many kids who were less fortunate than I did not have the same opportunities to connect with nature. I want to help inspire the next generation of stewards by helping them restore nature in their own community. Currently I am studying music at California Institute of the Arts and will be graduating in May with a BFA Performer/Composer degree. After graduating, I plan on releasing music as a hobby and focusing on growing the non-profit organization. I hope to return to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Botany in the future.

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Favorite flower:  Monkey Flower or Foothill Penstemon

Abel Ramírez Magaña has always had a passion for serving the community he was born and raised in. In fact, he is the Executive Director of another local non-profit: Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association. Magaña has also held several management positions including manager for the Los Angeles Business Assistance Program; VP of SBA & Commercial Lending for Banco Buenaventura; and Director of New Media/Managing Editor Hispanic Business Magazine. Magaña also co-founded a Latino-focused media company Latin Office LLC. He holds a BA in Journalism from San Diego State University.

I am a thoroughly self-taught horticulturist, botanist, and writer, whose passion is our California native plants and the life that depends on them. I first learned of our state's natural treasures when I visited the redwoods near the Big Sur coast as a child. I believe natural areas should be open and accessible to all, especially those who actually spend time in them and care for them, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. I see native plants as connecting us to our history and heritage along with creating a sense of community and place. I currently attend Oxnard College and volunteer there, along with volunteering at the local Ventura Botanical Gardens.

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Favorite flower:  Mariposa lily

I am passionate about traveling, nature, and art. After graduating from UCLA in 2021, I lived a year in South Korea on a Fulbright grant. During my time in Gumi, Korea, I took on taekwondo and earned my black belt. 

I have always loved nature, especially hiking, visiting national parks, and camping. My love for native plants grows more and more everyday. Learning all of the names of the plants is fun! I especially love learning why they have their names (like monkey flower looks like a monkey face!)

I'm also a surface art designer and in my free time, I like to work on my travel blog.

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Favorite flower: Hummingbird Sage

Kevin Braza is a born and raised resident of Oxnard.  He has lived many lives from supporting first-generation college students at UC Santa Barbara, to spearheading trust & safety initiatives for non-profit distance learning education startup schoolhouse.world, to pharmaceutical manufacturing & operations at AMGEN, to his current role as faculty in mathematics and computer science at Villanova Preparatory School.