What is the California Native Horticultural Foundation (CNHF) all about and why now?
At CNHF, we aim to be the trusted hub where everyone can celebrate the beauty, resilience, and complexity of California’s native plants. We’re building a welcoming space for connection—where people feel a sense of belonging and are inspired to explore the joy and meaning of native horticulture. Rooted in community, cooperation, and collaboration, we envision a collective grounded in the remarkable diversity of California’s native flora.
California is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, thanks to its unique landscapes, climates, and microclimates. According to the California State Parks Foundation, over 6,500 native plant species thrive here—alongside 1,000 native vertebrates and 30,000 insect species that rely on these plants for habitat. Many of these species are endemic and interconnected through co-evolved, reciprocal relationships.
After 45 years of stewarding Tree of Life Nursery, CNHF President and Founder, Mike Evans, has cultivated an extraordinary body of native plant wisdom. What he brings isn’t just deep technical expertise—it’s a contagious enthusiasm, a lifelong passion he’s now ready to pass on to the next generation of native plant stewards. CNHF exists to share horticultural knowledge that deepens this healing connection between people, plants, and place—something made even more urgent by the accelerating effects of climate change. We are glad you have chosen to join us in this journey of discovery and believe your engagement will be vital to our mutual success.
Michelle Matthews
Executive Director
August 1, 2025