Double Your Environmental Impact Today
This May, we are excited to invite you to participate in an opportunity that has the power to significantly amplify our collective impact on the environment. Channel Islands Restoration (CIR) is launching our Matching May fundraiser, and we need your support more than ever.
What is Matching May?
Matching May is not just a fundraising campaign; it's a chance to double your impact. Thanks to the generosity of four supporters, every dollar you donate to Channel Islands Restoration this month will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. This means your contribution will go twice as far in protecting and preserving the unique ecosystems of the Central Coast and the Channel Islands.
Why Support CIR?
CIR is a lean organization. We don’t have large reserves or a national fundraising apparatus. When you give, the money goes directly to restoration work and education. Here’ is what that looks like right now:
- More Ranch Native Plant Nursery: We have built a new nursery to grow the native seeds collected by our field teams and volunteers — creating a supply of locally sourced plants for restoration projects across the Central Coast.
- Santa Cruz Island Restoration: Our teams are actively working in partnership with the National Park Service on Santa Cruz Island, removing invasives and replanting natives in habitat that supports species found nowhere else on Earth.
- San Marcos Foothills Stewardship: Since 2010, CIR has restored grassland, wetland, and creek habitat on the San Marcos Foothills Preserve. We were instrumental in adding 101 acres of the Foothills to the preserve, saving the property from a development. We established an educational docent program to provide opportunities for those who love nature to share environmental principles with visitors to the preserve, and we have established an ethnobotanical garden on the preserve in cooperation with local Chumash people.
- Youth Island Field Trips: We have resumed service-learning trips for young people to Channel Islands National Park, many of whom have never been on a boat or visited a national park. We aim to double the number of kids we serve over the next five years.
We have engaged more than 10,000 volunteers over our history, and provided Channel Islands experiences to more than 2,500 young people. The vast majority of our donors first found us through a volunteer trip. This community — the one you are part of — is what makes this work possible.
The Impact of Your Donation
Your donation, which will be doubled this May, directly supports our mission. Here's how:
- Habitat Restoration: Your contribution helps us restore and maintain healthy ecosystems across the Central Coast, providing a haven for wildlife and native plants.
- Scientific Research: Funds go towards critical research efforts, allowing us to apply the most effective conservation strategies.
- Education: You support our aim to educate and inspire future generations about the importance of environmental conservation, fostering a culture of stewardship.
Renew Your Membership and Enjoy Additional Perks
This is also the perfect time to renew your CIR membership. Not only will you continue to enjoy the benefits of being part of this impactful community, but during Matching May, we're offering additional perks as a token of our gratitude for your continued support.
Join Us
Together, we can achieve remarkable things. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or are just getting started on your conservation journey, your support during Matching May is a significant investment in the future of our planet.
Imagine the difference we can make with $50,000 worth of support for the environment. Remember, every contribution counts, no matter the size. Donate Now and see the direct impact of your generosity throughout the Central Coast and the Channel Islands.
Thank you for your unwavering support and for being a vital part of our community. Together, we're not just preserving nature; we're rebuilding and protecting it for generations to come.
With deepest gratitude,
Channel Islands Restoration
P.S. Don't forget, every donation made in May is matched, making this the perfect time to give. Join us in making a lasting impact!