"With more than 5,500 native plant species, California has more endemic species than any other U.S. state," (UCSC News).
California has among the richest biodiversity in the world, yet we are rapidly losing it — harming us by furthering drought, wildfires, & soil degradation — majorly because we are destroying our precious native plant populations.
But we can still save them.
Our Mission
Growing California's Native Plants
Native Cali-Flora works to repopulate native plants in California and restore ecosystems harmed by invasive plant species. Given California’s wide range of biomes, we work to educate Californians on the various ways to strengthen local ecosystems using plants native to these different areas. Native Cali-Flora engages in community activism, including planting native plants, community and urban garden work, and awareness campaigns about the need to protect California’s precious ecosystems.
What We Do
Growing Native Species
We support volunteer work to grow and maintain native plants in California in order to save the various native plant species.
Raising Awareness
We educate the people in our community about the impacts of native plants on climate change and solutions to the issue through blogs and social media.
Building A Community
We promote individual action and collaborative efforts, reaching 10 countries from all over the world, to work toward saving native plants.
From the Founders
Darren Chiu & Elise Chiu
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, “It is estimated that approximately 66 percent of California’s endemic [native] plant species will experience decreases of up to 80 percent in the size of their ranges within the next 100 years.” Currently, there are about 6,500 native plant species in California at stake.
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This is one of the most significant challenges that California faces, as not only do these native plants contribute to our environment’s biodiversity, but many animal species depend on them for food and shelter. Passionate about tackling anthropogenic climate change, which has heavily affected California’s wide range of biomes, and the declining plant and animal populations in our communities, we founded Native Cali-Flora in hopes of making a difference.
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Today, looking at nature makes it clear that there is no longer the diverse garden of native plants that there once was. Volunteering for tree-planting in middle school for the first time opened our eyes by revealing the drastic effects of invasive species on the native plants around us. Ever since, we have been dedicated to diminishing its threat and to educating others on how to as well, and hope that Native Cali-Flora accomplishes this goal.
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Through our educational blogs, social media awareness, advocacy resources, legislative activism, and volunteer opportunities, we hope to emphasize the importance of California’s precious native plants and also provide ways that you can help preserve them too.
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Want to learn more?
How Does It Work?
Native Cali-Flora is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to increase the native plant species in California and, overall, revive biodiversity. Most importantly, we focus on advocacy work, educating people about native plants' relevance, as well as recent news on native plants and/or climate change.
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We use informative blogs and legislative advocacy to educate and provide opportunities to act on the issue by planting native plant species hands-on.
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Explore our website to learn more!
