Nature Restoration

Nature Restoration

Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of a healthy community. Nature Restoration is about repairing and strengthening the living systems that support clean air, healthy soil, abundant wildlife, resilient food systems, and human well-being. From planting native habitat and restoring waterways to rebuilding healthy soils and reducing pollution, every action we take to support nature helps create a more climate-resilient Monterey County.

Monterey County features diverse landscapes, with coastal habitat, oak woodlands, wetlands, pollinator corridors, urban greening, watershed restoration, and ocean.

At Sustainable Monterey County, we encourage individuals, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and local governments to participate in restoring the ecological health of our region through practical, community-based solutions.

Natural systems are under increasing stress from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, overdevelopment, drought, wildfire, and climate change. Biodiverse ecosystems are far more resilient and adaptable in the face of these pressures.

Restoring nature helps to:

  • Improve air and water quality 
  • Support pollinators, birds, and native wildlife 
  • Sequester carbon and reduce climate impacts 
  • Reduce erosion and flooding 
  • Recharge groundwater supplies 
  • Improve soil fertility and water retention 
  • Create cooling shade and reduce urban heat 
  • Strengthen food security and community resilience 
  • Enhance mental and physical well-being through connection with nature 

Nature restoration benefits both ecosystems and people.

Plant Native Species

Native plants have evolved alongside local wildlife and climate conditions. They generally require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance while providing critical habitat for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Ways to help:

  • Replace lawns with native or drought-tolerant landscaping 
  • Plant pollinator gardens 
  • Incorporate native trees and shrubs 
  • Avoid invasive ornamental species 
  • Support habitat corridors between green spaces 

Monterey Bay Native Plant Resources

Biodiversity creates resilience. Healthy ecosystems rely on a wide variety of plants, insects, fungi, birds, mammals, and microorganisms working together.

Communities can support biodiversity by:

  • Preserving open space and wildlife habitat 
  • Protecting wetlands, riparian areas, and coastal ecosystems 
  • Creating pollinator habitat 
  • Reducing pesticide and herbicide use 
  • Leaving portions of landscapes “wild” 
  • Supporting bird-friendly and pollinator-friendly practices 
  • Protecting keystone species and native food webs 

Learn More

Healthy soil is alive. Billions of microorganisms beneath our feet help cycle nutrients, store carbon, filter water, and support plant growth.

Nature restoration includes:

  • Composting organic materials 
  • Reducing tilling and soil disturbance 
  • Using mulch to retain moisture 
  • Planting cover crops 
  • Supporting fungal and microbial life 
  • Avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides 
  • Preventing erosion and runoff 

Healthy soil stores carbon and improves drought resilience.

Soil & Composting Resources

Water is one of California’s most precious resources. Restoring natural water cycles helps landscapes survive drought while reducing flooding and runoff pollution.

Strategies include:

  • Rainwater harvesting 
  • Rain gardens and bioswales 
  • Greywater reuse systems 
  • Permeable surfaces 
  • Mulching and soil-building 
  • Restoring wetlands and riparian habitat 
  • Planting drought-tolerant native species

Water Stewardship Resources

Re-wilding involves allowing ecosystems to recover their natural processes and biodiversity with minimal human interference.

Examples include:

  • Restoring native grasslands and oak woodlands 
  • Daylighting creeks and restoring waterways 
  • Reconnecting fragmented habitat corridors 
  • Expanding urban tree canopy 
  • Removing invasive species 
  • Protecting coastal dunes and wetlands 
  • Creating wildlife-friendly urban spaces 

Even small backyard habitats can become part of a larger ecological network.

Habitat Restoration Resources

Nature restoration also means reducing the sources of harm that degrade ecosystems.

Communities can help by:

  • Reducing plastic waste and litter 
  • Properly disposing of hazardous waste 
  • Limiting synthetic chemicals 
  • Preventing stormwater pollution 
  • Supporting clean transportation and renewable energy 
  • Participating in community cleanups 
  • Reducing light and noise pollution that disrupt wildlife 

Cleaner communities support healthier ecosystems.

You may also wish to expand this webpage with sections on:

Urban Forestry

Tree planting, shade equity, cooling neighborhoods, and carbon sequestration.

Pollinator Protection

Supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and other pollinators.

Climate Resilience

Using ecological restoration to prepare communities for drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat.

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge

Recognizing and learning from Indigenous stewardship practices that sustained ecosystems for generations.

Community Science

Encouraging residents to participate in bird counts, habitat monitoring, water testing, and biodiversity mapping.

Ecological Landscaping

Moving beyond decorative landscaping toward regenerative, habitat-supporting landscapes.

Regenerative Agriculture

Farming methods that rebuild soil, conserve water, and increase biodiversity.

Wildlife Coexistence

Creating landscapes and policies that allow humans and wildlife to safely coexist.

Green Infrastructure

Using natural systems like wetlands, urban forests, bioswales, and living shorelines to manage environmental challenges.

Get Involved Locally

Nature restoration happens one garden, creek, park, schoolyard,

and neighborhood at a time.

Ways to participate:

  • Volunteer for habitat restoration projects 
  • Join local park stewardship groups 
  • Plant native species at home or school 
  • Start composting 
  • Attend workshops and community events 
  • Participate in clean-up days 
  • Support policies that protect ecosystems and biodiversity 
  • Share knowledge and inspire others 

Together, we can help restore the health, beauty, and resilience of Monterey County’s ecosystems for future generations!