Together for Nature: Help Us Reach $75,000 by Year-End

Together for Nature: A Campaign to Transform 500 Lives

Saved By Nature was born from lived experience. Founder Richard Tejeda grew up in South San José, surrounded by drugs and gang culture. Nature wasn’t part of his childhood—it felt distant, unfamiliar, and out of reach. But everything changed at age 25, when his mother gave him a fishing license and a parking pass to Santa Clara County Parks. That simple gift led him to Hellyer Park and Coyote Creek—places of escape, reflection, and renewal.

Fishing became a passion. Nature became a lifeline.

In the presence of running water and rustling leaves, Richard found peace, clarity, and a future. He returned to school, earned degrees in Park Management and Environmental Studies, and built a career in environmental education—serving Title One schools, special needs communities, and conservation programs across the Bay Area. In 2019, he founded Saved By Nature to ensure others—especially those from under-resourced communities—could experience the healing power of the outdoors.

What began as a personal journey has grown into a community-driven movement rooted in environmental justice, cultural relevance, and inclusion.

Since our founding, we’ve helped thousands experience nature for the first time:

• ✅ 4,985 people joined our guided nature programs
• ✅ 5,667 at-promise youth gained confidence outdoors
• ✅ 1,132 seniors improved their health through nature walks
• ✅ 3,658 connected with nature virtually during COVID

Now, we need your help to reach 500 more.

This fall, we’re launching Together for Nature, a bold campaign to raise $75,000 by December 31st. Every dollar fuels outdoor experiences for youth, families, and seniors who’ve never had access to nature’s healing power. And thanks to a generous $21,000 matching grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, every donation made by October 31st will be doubled.

That means:

• $25 → $50 Snacks for one inclusive outdoor event.
• $37.50 → $75 Two youth receive hiking boots.
• $50 → $100 Fishing gear for two youth participants.
• $75 → $150 Transportation support for families and youth.
• $100 → $200 Covers full program costs for family.
• $250 → $500 Strengthens our internal capacity.

Your gift doesn’t just fund a trip—it opens a door. It says: You belong here.

“Nature saved my life. I was bound to become a statistic, but I refused to let that happen. I had to reinvent myself, and nature became my escape from the negativity that surrounded me. Now, I’m committed to changing lives—using the same passion that once transformed mine.”
—Richard David Tejeda

Donate today. Double your impact. Help us reach 500 lives.
Together, we can ensure that nature is not a privilege—but a right.

This campaign is brought to you by the Saved By Nature Team, in partnership with our Board of Directors and Fundraising & Finance Committee—community leaders committed to environmental justice, social justice, inclusion, and healing through nature.

Board of Directors

• Alex Reyes, President
• Dayo Sobitan, Vice President
• Elvina McCauley, Secretary
• Michael Mascarella, Treasurer
• Sarah Miller, Board Member
• Robert Avila, Board Member
• Ekam Dhot, Board Member
• Lyle van Tonder, Board Member
• Ajith “AJ” Chandran, Board Member
• Michelle “Mimi” Spreadbury, Board Member

Fundraising & Finance Committee

• Michael Mascarella, Chair
• Robert Avila
• Ekam Dhot
• Lyle van Tonder
• Ajith “AJ” Chandran
• Michelle “Mimi” Spreadbury
• Sangeetha Kondakindi
• Agrima Taneja
• Richard Tejeda