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continued from page 5 soil, it never felt the same to him as it did back home in Mexico. “De la tierra vivimos, porque de la tierra vinimos todos,” he said. “We live off the land because we all come from the land. Here, I only worked on caring for a product. I always appreciated the land for giving us the life it did, but I didn’t have time to listen to it like I did in Mexico. I didn’t belong to the land like I did before.”

I can relate to some of what he’s saying. There were places we visited as a family where I didn’t feel welcome, especially outdoors. I used to have friends say things like, “I don’t go hiking or camping, because that’s what white people do.” Fear of feeling unwelcome is real for a lot of families, and I think it does become a barrier to access.

How do these experiences shape your work here?

My parents never felt the embrace of nature here like I did, and my programs are rooted in meeting that need. I want to help people overcome the discomfort they might feel being in nature and create healing-centered spaces for building relationships with each other. We do this through restorative practices that foster our sense of

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with host Juan Ramirez safety and belonging. Most of these programs serve communities directly around the slough, rural communities at the edges of the counties, where fewer resources tend to be available. People in these communities sometimes don’t feel seen, heard, or valued; I want to make sure everyone knows they are welcome here.

Before coming to the slough, I taught film and video production at high schools throughout Monterey County. I also coordinated a youth program at Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, where I was fortunate to be trained in these restorative practices. My goal was always to hold spaces in which young people could share their stories, collaborate, and develop their voices, their art, and their leadership. I ended up facilitating a group called Culture Keepers where students implemented those same practices with their teachers in order to deepen their relationships—and mend them when needed.

I try to think about my work with people in the community here the same way I think about a thriving ecosystem. We are alive together. How can I create the kind of feeling or perspective where participants can thrive? Where they can nurture themselves, nurture each other, and feel like they can be stewards of the land for generations to come? n

SLOUGH VIEW ESF’s Financial Outlook

Anne Secker, Treasurer, ESF Board of Directors

Even though Elkhorn Slough Foundation’s Fiscal Year 2022 included challenges from rising inflation and lingering uncertainties related to COVID, our conservation work continued unimpeded. Thanks to the ongoing investment of our community and our funding partners, ESF is well-positioned to grow into the future.

Conservation work requires planning, patience, and the diligent management of financial resources. We always strive to employ best practices in our financial management so that we can continue to protect and restore our watershed for years to come. Serving on the ESF Board is a joy in part because our community enables this organization to have such a transformative impact. In turn, the organization treats the trust our community invests in us with the highest respect and gratitude. Shared here is the annual summary of ESF’s financial position for Fiscal Year 2022. I am pleased to report that your gifts to slough conservation continue to be stewarded responsibly.

We recognize that there are several fine organizations doing important conservation work throughout the Monterey Bay region, and we are grateful that you chose to support Elkhorn Slough Foundation in 2022. Thank you!