Hometown heroes – Why I donate to Nature Consortium
Rebecca Saldana and daughter, 2, at NatureC's Toddler Tree Planting event
Rebecca Saldana grew up near the West Duwamish Greenbelt and spent many childhood summers playing in the woods.
“One day the city came and cut everything back,” she said in a recent interview. “I don’t know what their plan was, but the sticker bushes and everything that was invasive took over, and we were no longer able to access that space.”
Decades later, Nature Consortium and their volunteers work hard to remove invasive plants from the greenbelt and install native trees and shrubs. “Having a group like Nature Consortium working on the greenbelt, which is connected to the play area that I had growing up, is very inspiring,” says Saldana. “They’re developing our future leaders to take care of the earth make it more beautiful through art and green spaces.”
“Now my daughter is two and half years old, and she hangs out with my dad in that same house in Delridge where I grew up. So having her be able to access and play in the woods, or en bosque as we say in Spanish, is something that’s really great.”
After learning about Nature Consortium’s programs at last year’s brunch fundraiser, Rebecca was inspired to become a monthly donor. “Being in that room and seeing young women of color taking such strong leadership roles in the stewardship of our parks was what really inspired me to give.”
“I donate to Nature Consortium because it’s a way for me to connect my own desire to be creative, my desire for justice, and for a better, cleaner place for myself and for future generations. And it connects me to my home.”
Our Benefit Brunch offers many ways to become inspired. This year the event will be better than ever, with live youth performances, local musicians, great food, complimentary childcare, and the premiere of a new NatureC film.
In addition to forest restoration, money raised at the brunch will also support Nature Consortium’s after-school art program for youth in low-income communities in Seattle. Youth from the program’s hip hop dance and singing classes will perform original works during the brunch. Also on the bill is jazz/blues band Billy and the Bouncers, one of many performers at last year’s Arts in Nature Festival.
We suggest a minimum $50 donation per person at the event to help us support our programs. All donations of $250 or more will be matched by our amazing Matching Fund sponsors. Join us as we celebrate and support our mission to connect people, arts, and nature!