Dear Theodore Payne Community:

Your financial support of Theodore Payne Foundation during these unprecedented and uncertain days has been amazing. In response to our last appeal, more than 200 individuals made tax deductible donations, providing crucial funds that are ensuring that our operations continue in these challenging times.

Our staff and board have been working very hard to adapt to a new reality for our organization. This includes new methods for communicating, for selling plants, seeds and apparel, and for safely experiencing community. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished, and want to share some important updates:

• Our nursery continues to produce a fantastic variety of California native plants and many of you have purchased them using our new Contact-free plant ordering and pickup system. Our online seed sales have been steady too! We hope this has helped you make your garden even more beautiful during the stay-at-home orders.

• TPF received a CARES Act loan from the federal government, which provides temporary financial support. This allowed us to retain staff and bring on strategically important temporary positions that will protect the health and safety of our community while improving our operations.

• We are anxiously awaiting the day when we can reopen our gates. We will do so when we can ensure a safe environment for our staff and community. As an added benefit, you can expect some things to be more convenient when we reopen.

• We have created new methods for maintaining connections with our community, including our online Garden Tour and our weekly Poppy Hour show. We encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for free garden inspiration and native plant conversations.

•  We are now offering classes online! Check our Eventbrite page for the schedule.

We are heartened by the outpouring of support during the past two months. We are happy to let you know that the organization is on solid footing for the time being. While the future remains uncertain, we are cautiously optimistic.

If you are able to provide support, please consider making a tax deductible gift today. This moment in history is one which affords an opportunity for deep thought about what we value in our community. Help us make the post-coronavirus world one where human and natural environments thrive in harmony, and make Southern California a global beacon for this movement.

We hope that you are staying safe, healthy and inspired by the nature that surrounds you. On behalf of the staff and Board, we thank you for your continued support of TPF and for being a part of our wonderful native plant community.

Sincerely,

Evan Meyer, Executive Director                              DJ Peterson, Board President