Volunteers stand together in front of a colorful floral mural in Oxnard, celebrating the transformation of an empty parkway into the first thriving MiniNature Reserve.

Our History

How a small backyard nursery grew into a community movement restoring native plants and biodiversity across Ventura County.

Two people examine rows of native plant seedlings in a small backyard nursery, the early foundation for MiniNature Reserve’s vision to restore biodiversity in cities.
Beginnings

A Backyard Nursery

In 2020 a small backyard nursery of native plants became the foundation for MiniNature Reserve. These first seedlings represented the vision of bringing biodiversity back into urban spaces.

First Steps

The First Planting

With the help of volunteers, the first MiniNature Reserve took root in Oxnard. An empty parkway was transformed into a pocket of thriving nature.

Three side-by-side photos show the transformation of a bare roadside strip into a small native plant garden — from dry soil, to volunteers planting, to blooming greenery with California poppies.
Growth

Branching Out

Our work has expanded to include a 1,500 square foot community nursery, guerrilla gardens, Indigenous cooking classes, and multilingual environmental education, all free to the community and in partnership with Community Roots Garden.

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sq ft restored

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native plants.

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volunteers.

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volunteer hours.

Be a part of a movement to restore nature in our cities