$11,922 raised by 57 donors
60% complete
$20,000 Goal
Founded in 1991, the California Native Grasslands Association (CNGA) represents people concerned with the continued loss and degradation of California's grasslands. California native grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems in the United States occupying less than 1% of their historic extent. California's grasslands provide our state with significant environmental benefits that promote human health and well-being. Grasslands filter water improving water quality and prevent flooding. Grasslands improve air quality and sequester a substantial amount of carbon. Grasslands provide habitat for the pollinators we depend on to pollinate our crops. Grasslands provide residents and visitors with recreational opportunities and are chief attractions for viewing spring wildflowers, fishing, and wildlife watching. A large percentage of California's rare and endangered species reside in or depend on grassland habitat.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
CNGA develops comprehensive and innovative education, training, and field experience programs for its members and the general public. Members include conservationists, restoration practitioners, naturalists, botanists, resource managers, horticulturalists, agency representatives, farmers, ranchers, homeowners, seed producers, scientists, consultants, students, and native plant enthusiasts. We encourage the next generation of grassland managers by offering student research scholarships.
Through our publications, workshops, field trips, and conferences, CNGA provides an essential network for people interested in California's native grasses and grasslands. We believe this peer-to-peer contact and technical transfer of information is the most effective way to develop and promote the 'art' of native grass restoration and conservation.
GRASSLANDS QUARTERLY JOURNAL
CNGA's quarterly journal, 'Grasslands', was started at the inception of the organization in 1991 with a feature article titled 'Working with Native Perennial Grasses,' by David Amme. The journal continues as a publication today and remains a strong source of information on grasslands with peer-reviewed articles on research and practice.
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
CNGA offers workshops throughout the year, with diverse titles such as, "Nuts & Bolts of Restoration and Revegetation," "Apps & Snaps: Smart Phone, Camera, & Online Technology for Grassland Plant Mapping, Tracking, & Identification," "Grassland Monitoring: Methods & Techniques," "Appreciating and Identifying Native and Naturalized Grasses," "Landscaping with Nature," "Planned Grazing: Build Soil, Grassland Health & Profit," and more! Our team of trainers enjoys sharing their knowledge, expertise, and the latest research with all native plant enthusiasts.
GRASSLAND RESEARCH AWARDS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP (GRASS)
We award competitive research funds to promote undergraduate and graduate student research focused on understanding, preserving, and restoring California’s native grassland ecosystems in accordance with the CNGA Mission and Goals.
CNGA's GRASS Program:
Learn more at: https://cnga.org/GRASSgrants/
The mission of the California Native Grasslands Association is to promote, preserve, and restore the diversity of California's native grasses and grassland ecosystems through education, advocacy, research, and stewardship.
GRASSLAND RESEARCH AWARDS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP (GRASS)
Inspiring and training the next generation of land managers is one of the most important aspects of our work. Since 2019, when the program began, CNGA has funded fifty student researchers preforming California grassland-related studies. We would like raise $10,000 to provide funding for up to 20 student grants this year.
GRASSLANDS QUARTERLY JOURNAL
The yearly expense for our quarterly journal, Grasslands, runs between $8,000 to $10,000. We continue to improve quarterly Grasslands journal through increased content development.
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
The projected expense for workshops is $20,000. We would like to increase the number of our yearly training workshop offerings. We have several workshops in planning for this year as well as a CNGA Grassland Science Symposium in February 2025.
CONSERVATION ADVOCACY
Conservation Advocacy projected 2025-26 expense: $9,000. Increase our advocacy efforts to promote conservation of remaining viable native grassland communities throughout California. We are increasingly called on to assist residents and other organizations with conservation efforts.
RESEARCH, SCIENCE, AND EDUCATION
Projected expenses are $8,000. We are working to establish a much-needed grassland restoration network. We also seek funding to supplement our K-12 Curriculum Program and finish the educational Coastal Prairie website.
The Board of Directors of the California Native Grasslands Association (CNGA) declares our commitment to building a shared understanding for every member of our Association and surrounding community about the relevance and importance of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) work.
Our DEIJ Vision, Grounded in our Mission and Values
Protecting and restoring California Native Grasslands requires diversity in both perspective and practice. As a result of a traumatic colonial past, groups of people have not been properly recognized for their contributions and achievements in advancing conservation, especially indigenous tribal groups that were violently displaced from their ancestral lands. Indigenous tribal bands were critical in developing many conservation practices we research and use for management in contemporary times, originally derived from traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). CNGA understands that to promote and restore the natural and cultural restoration of California native grasslands we must have an intentional commitment to inclusive practices and narratives within the conservation movement.
CNGA endeavors to understand how our differences and diversity shape our experiences in the world. We openly welcome the participation of all individuals, regardless of race, age, gender identity, cultural background, religion, country or ethnic origin, language, disability, sexual orientation, economic class, academic discipline, institution, or any other distinction unrelated to the enjoyment of California grasslands. We further recognize and value the contributions of all people, including those from underrepresented groups, while also amplifying voices that may be marginalized.
We stand with our community partners and all those who seek to create a more just and equitable world where all living beings are valued, respected, and treated with dignity.
In both our programmatic priorities and our internal organizational development, the CNGA strives to honor inclusive recruitment of staff and board members that foster a diverse and inclusive culture. In these actions, we hope to build healthy relationships and healthy communities while fostering reciprocity through meaningful interactions with mutual respect and kindness with everyone in the community and beyond.
OUR PATH FORWARD
Acting upon these principles is of critical importance and must be a priority for the CNGA and for all the members within our Association and community. We recognize that this path requires an ongoing commitment in learning and reflexivity, and one that will not be completed overnight. As an organization, we are neither perfect nor infallible. We ask each member to be compassionate with one another, and to recognize that we are all on a collective journey of understanding and action. We pledge to maintain open channels of communication within the CNGA community on this important issue. To that end, we are committed to values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice that are healthy, accessible to everyone, and encourages a place where people, nature and native grasslands thrive!
Ongoing Efforts to Improve DEI (and further solidify the “J”) at the CNGA
● Developing a mentorship/apprenticeship program
● Selecting 1 or 2 of all total Student GRASS Awards based on financial need
● Provide paid internship opportunities (for example the GIS position)
● Increased grassland ecology and advocacy outreach in underserved communities
● Developing and enhancing TEK outreach resources for wider audiences
● Partnerships with and amplification of Indigenous Tribal Experts involved in long-term de-colonization and land resource management opportunities (e.g., local land trusts, local re-matriation programs)
● Increasing “Grassland Voices” from a broader perspective to strengthen the grassland advocacy community including, but not limited to, providing grants for art outreach and by promoting some of these opportunities across a wider community.
Organization name
California Native Grasslands Association
other names
CNGA
1991
Tax id (EIN)
68-0239825
Mission Category
Environment
Operating Budget
$50,001 - $100,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program
Demographics Served
General population
Local Counties Served
Yolo
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
P.O. Box 485CA, US