Welcome to Explore Local NatureTM!Adventure Awaits Outside Your Door
Our Mission: Explore Local Nature exists to close the nature information gap—prioritizing underserved communities—so that people and the natural world thrive together.Visit our beta website app.
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Donate today!LATEST NEWS:
June 2026: ELN officially became a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.
You can view the current incarnation of our live beta website app, which aggregates events and organizations throughout San Mateo County.
We are in process of developing the system architecture for the next generation site under our new nonprofit.
What We DoExplore Local Nature is a civic technology initiative designed to revolutionize nature access. We are building a comprehensive, AI-powered infrastructure that aggregates local events, parks, stewardship organizations, and vital nature news into one equitable resource. Our goal is to bridge the "nature information gap" and provide preventative health benefits to all communities through outdoor connection.
Explore Local Nature is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.Copyright © 2026 Explore Local Nature. All Rights Reserved. Made with ❤️ for all the nature enthusiasts 🌎.
About
For over 25 years, I've dedicated my life to connecting people with the natural world, starting right here in the Bay Area. I've seen firsthand how a single hike or volunteer event can change someone's perspective. But I also recognized a universal frustration—people everywhere wanting to get outside but not knowing where to start, lost in a sea of confusing websites.That's why I created Explore Local Nature: to make discovering the incredible nature in any community as easy and joyful as the experience itself. We're launching our journey in San Mateo County, building a model that can help connect communities to nature, wherever they may be.-Mike Kahn, Founder & Executive Director
Mike Kahn, Founder & Executive Director
* 25+ years in nature education, stewardship, and conservation
* Expertise in marketing communications and nonprofit partnership development.
* Advocating for "Nature Rx" and equitable outdoor access as a core social service.
* Degrees in Sociology and Interactive Media Design, bridging community social needs with innovative digital solutions.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Steve Blank
Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Author, Stanford University Adjunct Professor, & Former CA Coastal CommissionerCurtis Chan, MD, MPH
Pediatrician and public health physician.Michael Kawalek
Former Chief Philanthropy Officer & Deputy Director of Operations, Sempervirens Fund.Kamille Lang (she/her or they/them)
Director of Outreach and Education, Climate Resilient Communities (CRC)Kyle Macdonald
Founder & Former CEO, Bay Area Wilderness Training; Business Performance Advisor, Insperity.Lenny Mendonca
Former Chief Economic & Business Advisor to the Governor of California; Senior Partner Emeritus, McKinsey & Co.Dave Pine
Former San Mateo County Supervisor; Founding Chair, Peninsula Clean Energy & OneShoreline.Brian Shenson
Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Rise Growth Partners; Tech-Wealth Operations Executive.FORMER ADVISORBen Wiltsie, SmallBiz Innovation
Invaluable early-stage prototyping and business strategy.
Explore Local Nature is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.Copyright © 2026 Explore Local Nature. All Rights Reserved. Made with ❤️ for all the nature enthusiasts 🌎.
Subscribe
Sign up to receive our updates and be among the first to experience Explore Local Nature. Use the form below or click here to subscribe.
Explore Local Nature is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.Copyright © 2026 Explore Local Nature. All Rights Reserved. Made with ❤️ for all the nature enthusiasts 🌎.
Contact
We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at [email protected] or complete the form below.
Explore Local Nature is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.Copyright © 2026 Explore Local Nature. All Rights Reserved. Made with ❤️ for all the nature enthusiasts 🌎.
Ways To Give
At Explore Local Nature, we are on a mission to close the nature information gap—prioritizing underserved communities—so that people and the natural world thrive together.“I jumped on the beta site, found a guided hike at a local State Park I didn’t know about, and went. It’s clear Explore Local Nature is solving local data fragmentation and connecting more people to our parks. This is why I joined the Founding Circle.” — Steve Blank, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur & Former CA Coastal CommissionerToday, outdoor data across San Mateo County is scattered across over 100 disconnected agencies and organizations. Your support funds the system architecture, engineering, and community data integration needed to launch our open-access platform and connect everyone to our public lands.1. 💳 Credit Card or Debit (Online)
The fastest way to support our launch. Make a secure one-time or recurring tax-deductible gift directly on our site.Donate Online Now2. ✉️ Donate by Check
To donate by mail, please make your check payable to our fiscal sponsor, Social Good Fund, and include our project name in the memo line:Payable To: Social Good Fund
Memo Line: Explore Local Nature
Mailing Address:
c/o Mike Kahn
1439 Crespi Drive
Pacifica, CA 940443. 🏛️ Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
Recommend a grant through your DAF (Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, etc.) to maximize tax deductions.Charity Name: Social Good Fund
Federal Tax ID (EIN): 46-1323531
Designation / Memo: Explore Local Nature
After Submission: Email [email protected] with your name, date, method, and amount of payment.4. 📈 Appreciated Stock & Securities
Donating appreciated equities or mutual funds from a taxable account allows you to claim a tax deduction for the full fair market value while avoiding federal and state capital gains taxes.How to execute: To receive DTC transfer instructions and brokerage details, please email us at [email protected].5. 🤝 Workplace & Employer Matching (Benevity, etc.)
Double your impact at zero additional cost! Many corporations (e.g., Genentech, Google, Salesforce) match employee donations dollar-for-dollar (limits vary).How to find us in your workplace portal (Benevity, CyberGrants, YourCause):
1. Search for our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor: Social Good Fund (Tax ID / EIN: 46-1323531).
2. Under Social Good Fund's profile, go to the Projects / Designation tab and select: Explore Local Nature.
3. Submit your gift and matching request.
4. Email [email protected] with your name, employer, and donation amount so we can log your matching funds in our pipeline.6. 🏦 Wire & ACH Bank Transfers
For direct bank-to-bank transfers or larger grant commitments:How to execute: To protect account security, we provide account and routing numbers upon request. Please contact us at [email protected] to initiate a transfer.7. 📜 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs / IRA Transfers)
If you are age 70½ or older, you can make an "above-the-line" tax-free transfer directly from your IRA to satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) without increasing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).Direct Transfer Instructions:
Request an IRA distribution directly through your IRA custodian made payable to Social Good Fund (EIN: 46-1323531) and designated for Explore Local Nature. Contact [email protected] if your custodian requires written verification or specific payout instructions.Giving Tiers & RecognitionEvery contribution propels our mission forward:Watershed Level ($10,000+)
Canopy Level ($1,000 – $9,999)
Skyline Level ($500 – $999)
Wildflower Level (Up to $499)🌟 Gifts of $1,000+ qualify for Founding Circle recognition through June 16, 2027.Monthly Giving: Any recurring monthly donor—regardless of amount—is recognized as an ELN Steward.Tax & Legal Information
Explore Local Nature is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID / EIN: 46-1323531). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.Disclaimer: The giving options outlined above are provided for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Because individual financial situations and tax laws vary, we encourage you to consult with your independent CPA, financial advisor, or tax professional before executing your gift.Questions or assistance with your gift?
Contact Mike Kahn, Executive Director, at [email protected].
Explore Local Nature is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.Copyright © 2026 Explore Local Nature. All Rights Reserved. Made with ❤️ for all the nature enthusiasts 🌎.
News
LATEST NEWS:
June 2026: ELN officially becomes a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531.
April 2026: ELN officially entered its transition to 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. We are currently in a "silent phase" of our Founding Circle campaign to secure anchor funding for our pilot launch.
Spring Wildflower Guide: Get our free interactive guide to the best local blooms: Spring Wildflowers: 7 Great Hikes in San Mateo County
(add creek guide here)