Non Profit Partners

Thanks to the work of congressman Leon Panetta, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary became a federally protected marine area in 1992. The Monterey Bay is literally and figuratively central to life in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. We work and play on it, in it, and along side it. It inspires us and reminds us of the miracle of life on earth.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is one of our nation’s largest national marine sanctuaries, and is larger than Yellowstone National Park. The sanctuary contains extensive kelp forests and one of North America’s largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments. Known as the “Serengeti of the Sea,” this remarkably productive marine environment was established for the purpose of resource protection, research, education and public use.

CoastWoods is an ardent supporter of The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (the non-profit arm of the MBNMS) and we think the best way to support the Sanctuary is to USE IT! The CoastWoods office is located one block from the coast and we have bikes and boards for your use.

The Santa Cruz Education Foundation is a community organization promoting excellence in Santa Cruz City Schools by developing and enhancing programs so that all students can achieve their full potential.

Although other area organizations raise funds for specific groups of students, the Santa Cruz Education Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated to serving all students in Santa Cruz City Schools.  The organization works to ensure that every one of the 7,000 students at our 10 campuses, in kindergarten through high school, has an outstanding educational experience.

The Foundation raises private funds to support a wide range of programs in Santa Cruz public schools so that students are exposed to a diverse and rich public education. The amount of money distributed by the Foundation is not dependent upon enrollment or government funding. Rather, it depends upon the contributions of local citizens and businesses.

The Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and maintains great trails for everyone, and connects communities to nature through responsible outdoor recreation.

Since its founding in 1997 (formerly known as “Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz”), they’ve grown from a special interest advocacy group into a professional trail stewardship organization with deep trails expertise, a full roster of field and office staff, extensive community and volunteer engagement, and strong relationships with local land managers.

The Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship believes that trails are a gateway to the adventure, fun, exercise and sense of wonder offered by the great outdoors. Their work expands and enhances sustainable trail networks so everyone has a place in enjoying and protecting the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship envisions Santa Cruz County becoming the model for sustainable trail systems, community stewardship and land manager partnerships, by design, construction and maintenance, through community collaboration, partnerships and world-class events.