Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens

As we get into April, we have a new schedule up for volunteers! We’re looking forward to seeing new and old faces in the park this month 🌧️💐☀️

🌼 Plant of the Week: California Brittlebush 🌼
With silvery gray leaves and sunshine yellow blooms, the California Brittlebush is perfect for our warm climate!
This 2–5 ft native flower thrives in full sun, needs very little water, and supports pollinators like butterflies, bees, and even birds

It may be low-maintenance, but it has a high impact on our pollinators!

Want to plant? This plant thrives in full sun with fast-draining rocky or sandy soil. The best time to plant is in late fall to early spring 🌞🌿 🐝 🌱

🦋 BID TO HELP THE BUTTERFLIES! 🦋
Check out this incredible handmade quilt up for auction! 🧵

Measuring 64”x55”, it features colorful tie-dye style butterflies and a vibrant geometric reverse.

Why bid?

We’re expanding! This year’s Festival of Butterflies (Oct 3, 2026) will take over TWO parks in SJC.

Your bids help us fund this community expansion!

• Starting Bid: $200
• Increments: $25
• Buy it Now: $500

Bid on our website!

We’ve partnered up with community artist Peggy Iriarte to bring you these mosaic parrots, each handmade, which will soon be available to purchase on our website for 65$ each!

She says, “I’m Peggy Iriarte, a community artist, and I had the joy of creating 33 dazzling mosaic parrots with 85 amazing members of Santa Ana, from ages 4 to 89. Each parrot shines with its own personality, a true reflection of the hands and hearts that brought it to life.

Over four months, we layered rhinestones, sequins, crushed shells, colorful glass, beads, crystals, and iridescent tiles—turning everyday materials into glittering works of art. Every dollar from your purchase goes straight back into creating more vibrant, community-inspired artwork that brings color and creativity to our city.”

Follow her and stay tuned for purchasing info on our website which will be launching at the start of March!

Soak up the sun with us at Los Rios Park and come volunteer! We will be hosting volunteers every week on Friday and Sunday, with no blackout dates. Email [email protected] to RSVP. We can’t wait to see you all there 🌱✨

We had such a great group of volunteers on Sunday! Thank you!

Join us next Sunday at Los Rios Park

Thank you to all the new and returning volunteers for helping out at Los Rios Park yesterday. A special shout out to the Trabuco High School National Honor Society.

It’s December! One more month to join us in the garden in 2025. We’d love to have you! (Don’t worry, we’d love to see you in 2026 too!).

Thank you to the St. Margaret’s senior boys who came out to soggy Los Rios Park to prune and tidy up. Thank you also for the wonderful gift of new tarps, pruners and gloves — the holidays came early!

We’re so thankful for our parks and our volunteers! Not just in this month of Thanksgiving, but all year round.

Join us!

Join us in the garden this month as we give thanks for the beautiful flora and fauna in Los Rios Park!

Los Rios Park Garden Angels

The team tackled more invasive plants this week to make room for new California natives this winter at the Los Rios Park Gardens! 💪🌱

Special garden guests — the cheerful yellow sulfur butterflies — were spotted enjoying the nectar of the winter-blooming cassia. 🦋💛

Want to get your hands in the soil and help native gardens thrive? Volunteer with us! 🌼
📧 [email protected]