"If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them get out of their chairs.”
Nicolette Sowder
Welcome to Growing True Leaves...
A registered nonprofit 501c3 organization serving children and families in santa cruz, the SF Bay Area, and Central Coast.
Growing True Leaves was founded by a group of young mothers in Santa Cruz County, led by Celine Cohen, who were connected by a shared love of place. We met through the surfing community in Moss Landing and grew our friendship as we grew our families. This project is an expression of our love for today’s children—and for the generations to come. We envision a future where families have meaningful choices in how they raise their children, and where everyone has access to a holistic lifestyle rooted in community, nature, and connection.
A growing body of research shows not only the benefits of outdoor play and learning, but the essential role it plays in healthy childhood development. As technology rapidly evolves, our children are the first to navigate a digital world without a roadmap. It is up to us to create a foundation of balanced habits—offering healthy boundaries and enriching alternatives that support their well-being in body, mind, and spirit.
A Philosophy Rooted in Research
Outdoor learning is not only vital for childhood development; it is essential for the well-being of our communities and our planet. Without reconnecting to the skills of growing food organically and caring for land through agroforestry principles, we risk further depletion of our agricultural resources. And if children grow up without a sense of comfort, connection, and responsibility for the natural world, we lose the future stewards our environment depends on.
A Philosophy Rooted in Stewardship
While Forest Schooling continues to grow in popularity, the demand far exceeds the supply. School gardens are increasingly common, but truly sustainable programs—led by dedicated, paid educators who can nurture them long-term—remain rare. We know that building an authentic program requires working in partnership with Indigenous communities and historically underserved groups.It is not enough to learn from ancestral knowledge; we must uplift the people who carry it, acknowledge past harms, and commit to moving forward with humility, respect, and accountability.
A Philosophy Rooted in Community
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We envision a future where all children, especially those in under-resourced communities, grow up with direct access to nature, natural history, education in the natural environment, and opportunities to nurture the land and themselves. Over the next decade, we envision a thriving community center offering a co-operative preschool, educational gardens, holistic health resources, as well as conservation programs led by children and their families.
Our Vision
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Growing True Leaves (GTL) is a community-rooted organization dedicated to connecting children and families with the natural environment by providing early childhood development programs and gardening classes focused on environmental learning experiences and land stewardship in Santa Cruz County.
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MISSION
Shiho Fukushima
"Celine is a natural born leader and her years of study and research along with her strong communication and listening skills make her an excellent educator. Her gentle demeanor helps create a comfortable atmosphere for children of all ages to learn, which is important since most classes are held outdoors. I enjoyed watching my 2 young daughters immerse themselves in nature and found that even guardians that tag along may learn a thing or two. I highly recommend Growing True Leaves."
Sarah & Lilymae Mullnix
"Nature School provides me with peace of mind, knowing my child is in a safe and nurturing environment. It expands my child’s knowledge of local plants and animals and most importantly has taught her to love and care for our natural world. Thank you Celine for creating this beautiful and important space."
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