ORGANIZATION TIMELINE
Grassroots Ecology’s first roots were formed in 1997 when Bay Area Action (which would later become Acterra) created the Arastradero Stewardship Program. Over the next two decades, this small program grew to engage and educate thousands of people annually at outdoor sites across the Bay Area Peninsula and South Bay region—ultimately branching off to form Grassroots Ecology, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2016.
MILESTONES
2024 — Launch of new tidal marsh restoration project at Shoreline Park in Mountain View.
2024 — Completion of Re-Oaking Silicon Valley pilot project (learn more about our findings and accomplishments)
2023 — Grassroots Ecology switches to a co-leadership model. Alex Von Feldt and Junko Bryant become Co-Executive Directors.
2022 — Launch of our Ravenswood Open Space Preserve restoration project in East Palo Alto.
2022 — Completion of Hendrys Creek restoration project (learn more about our results and accomplishments)
2021 — Completion of our Westwind Barn Stormwater Infiltration Project (learn more about our results and accomplishments)
2021 — Volunteer programs re-open to the public in September after an 18-month freeze, and more than 4,000 people volunteer before the year is through. Habitat Restoration Internship becomes a paid 10-month internship.
2020 — Release of second edition of our book SF Bay Area Native Plants for the Garden.
2020 — Launch of new multi-year projects: Re-Oaking Silicon Valley Pilot Project to restore oak habitat at four Santa Clara County preserves; and our Southgate Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project to update bioretention areas in the Southgate neighborhood of Palo Alto.
2020 — Volunteer programs go on pause due to COVID. We pivot to providing remote naturalist education events and adapt/expand our Youth Stewards Program to 8 sites to meet the increased need to safely provide high schoolers with in-person opportunities.
2019 — Launch of new restoration projects at Westwind Barn in Los Altos, Manresa Trail near Redwood Grove in Los Altos, and Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
2018 — Grassroots Ecology is approved for incorporation as an independent 501(c)(3) public charity.
2018 — Launch of our Redwood Creek restoration project in downtown Redwood City.
2017 — Launch of our Creek Scientists program and a one-year restoration project at Edgewood Park and Nature Preserve in Redwood City.
2016 — The Stewardship Program of Acterra becomes Grassroots Ecology, an independent fiscally sponsored project, as we file for incorporation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2016 — Launch of new programs: Hendrys Creek restoration project in Los Gatos, California Naturalist Certification Program in partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension, and Greening Urban Watersheds Program to improve stormwater infrastructure in Palo Alto.
2016 — Native Plant Nursery upgrades for phytosanitation best management practices.
2015 — Our East Palo Alto baylands restoration efforts move to Cooley Landing following its reopening to the public. Began a six-year partnership with Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant to deliver the Water Pollution Prevention School Outreach Program.
2015 — Addition of new restoration sites at Russian Ridge and Hawthorns in partnership with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
2014 — Adoption of new restoration sites in Los Altos Hills Open Space Preserves: Byrne, O’Keefe, and Juan Prado Mesa.
2014 — Launch of our Youth Stewards program at Stulsaft Park and our Habitat Restoration Internship program for young adults.
2013 — Start of restoration projects at East Palo Alto baylands and Foothills Park in Palo Alto.
2013 — Expansion of our Community Science water quality monitoring program in San Francisquito, Matadero, Barron, and Adobe Creeks.
2013 — First convening of our Peninsula/South Bay Watershed Forum.
2012 — Launch of a four-year initiative to transform lawns into meadows and creative native gardens in Palo Alto schools. Integration of the Stevens and Permanente Creek Watershed Council and start of our Community Science water quality monitoring program.
2012 — Expansion of habitat restoration efforts into Mountain View (Permanente Creek restoration project on Google Campus) and Cupertino (Stevens Creek at McClellan Ranch Preserve).
2011 — Launch of the Youth Stewards Program at the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve.
2011 — Start of rain barrel installation and lawn replacement projects; Release of first edition of our book SF Bay Area Native Plants for the Garden.
2009 — Launch of our Redwood Grove restoration efforts in Los Altos.
2007 — Launch of our Stulsaft Park restoration efforts in Redwood City. Integration of the San Francisquito Watershed Project into the Stewardship Program.
2005 — Arastradero Stewardship Program expands to other sites and is rebranded as the Acterra Stewardship Program. This includes adoption of the Native Plant Nursery started by the San Francisquito Watershed Project to supply plants for the program’s burgeoning restoration projects.
2000 — Bay Area Action becomes Acterra and adopts the Arastradero Stewardship Program.
1997 — Launch of the Arastradero Stewardship Program at the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, a collaboration between Bay Area Action and the City of Palo Alto.