Donate
Join Us in Making a Difference
Through your involvement and generosity, The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake has been a place of discovery and learning for 36 years!
More than 40,000 children, families and campers took part in the dynamic and innovative programs offered at the Nature Center this year. The Food for Thought lecture series, Creepy Creatures event, Trout in the Classroom, Living Bat exhibit, “Going Batty” program, School Field Trip program and themed Scavenger Hunts are a few of the programs offered and made possible through the generosity of our donors and members.
“I loved the scavenger hunt! I learned that the largest pinecone is the Coulter pinecone. I am very grateful for being a part of this field trip.” –Gia, 3rd grader
“My favorite part of our field trip was the Nature Center! I learned black bears can be different colors.” –Bradley, 3rd grader
Your support is vital and will allow us to continue to provide hands-on learning to all who visit. It will also help to support the campaign to update and renovate the Nature Center, its interactive exhibits, and Native Garden.
Please consider donating above or becoming a member by scrolling down.
Thank you for your support of the Nature Center and its commitment to making the gift of discovery accessible to all!
Sincerely,
Edward Grand
President
Julie Anne McDonald
Executive Director
Cash or check donations can be dropped off in-person at the Nature Center or mailed to our address at:
Neal Taylor Nature Center
2265 Highway 154,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Donations can be made in person during our open hours, Thursday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 10am-2pm. Or, they can be dropped off in the donation box in the breezeway to the left of the Nature Center main entrance.
Yearly Memberships
Belong at the Nature Center
Your membership to the Neal Taylor Nature Center helps in supporting the various exhibits, programs, events and activities offered.
Some of our membership benefits include:
• Discounts at the Nature Center Gift Shop
• Annual passes to Santa Barbara Parks
• Lake Cruise passes
• Invitations to special nature center events
& more!
For more information, see our Membership Levels & Benefits.
Learn More
Donate Goods & Services
We Accept All Kinds of Donations
If you are interested in donating goods or services, please reach out to us at info@clnaturecenter.org or call us at 805-593-0691.
We commonly accept taxidermy animals, photo prints, art pieces, books, historical artifacts, geological specimens, jewelry and more.
We use these items in our exhibits, to sell in our gift shop, offer in raffles, or sell in our yearly online auction.
We also accept gifted services such as transportation of goods, photography, legal services and more.
All Donations Are Tax Deductable
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake runs completely on donations, grants and memberships. Therefore we always welcome private gifts and donations. Gifts to the Nature Center may be made in a variety of ways including cash, stocks, and personal bequests. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS.
Monetary gifts may be unrestricted and used where the need is greatest, or may be designated for a specific project or need. Donations help us to continue teaching thousands of children yearly, to maintain the Nature Center building and grounds, to operate special programs, to update our exhibits, and more.
Gifts may be made in memory of friends or relatives, to honor the living, or in commemoration of special events.
Planned gifts may offer benefit options to you and your family as well as to the Nature Center. You may wish to consult an attorney, accountant, or financial planner to assist with details of establishing such a gift. All gifts and donations become the property of the Neal Taylor Nature Center and it retains the right to determine use, access, and disposition.
All offers of potential additions to the collections, goods, services, and cash are greatly appreciated and help to enhance the resources of the Nature Center.
Online Auction
Support Us, Win Awesome Items!
Bidding in the annual online auction is a great way to support the Nature Center while also getting a chance to take home exclusive items!
Some examples of items from previous auctions included vacation packages, wine tours, local attractions, outdoor gear, fine art pieces and more.
Want to donate items for us to sell in our online auction?
Contact Julie@clnaturecenter.org or call us at (805) 693-0691
All donations are tax deductible and you can have your
name and/or business displayed on our auction webpage.
For more information, visit our online auction page.
Learn More
Tributes & Memorials
Leave Your Mark at the Nature Center
Tribute a tree, bench, or fountain in our Native Garden.
Reach out to us at info@clnaturecenter.org or 805-593-0691 to arrange.
Memorialize a loved one and leave a lasting impression at the Nature Center with a special plaque and optional QR code that links to more information.
Throughout the Native Garden fountains, benches, and trees are available to bear the names of those that families and friends would like to hold in memory or tribute.
We appreciate the generosity of our memorial and tribute donors and those that they honor.
Such gifts sustain the Nature Center’s operations so that we may continue to be a place of discovery and learning for visitors of all ages!
Learn More
Leave Your Mark at the Nature Center
Tribute a tree, bench, or fountain in our Native Garden.
Reach out to us at info@clnaturecenter.org or 805-593-0691 to arrange.
Honor the memory of a loved one and leave a lasting impression at the Nature Center with a special plaque and optional QR code that links to more information.
Learn More
Volunteer
Give the Gift of Your Time
Volunteers and Camp Hosts are the heart, passion, and backbone of the Nature Center. We are always looking for people with different skills and abilities to help us out!
Get Involved
California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californicaa)