About us
Refugia Marin sprouted its roots in 2021 with a vision: to revive an area of Corte Madera's Town Park by eradicating invasive plant species and cultivating a haven for local pollinators.
As a nonprofit, and a 100% volunteer-driven organization, our mission extends beyond conservation; we strive to educate the community about the myriad benefits of native plants while creating thriving wildlife habitats.
By forging strong partnerships with schools, community leaders, and like-minded organizations, we work together towards our shared goal of enhancing the natural beauty of our community and creating spaces for people to enjoy.
About our Founder
Founder & Executive Director
Dana Swisher
Dana has been a dedicated educator in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District for over 20 years and the visionary behind Refugia Marin.
Her passion for observing and sharing the wonders of the natural world led her to transform the Hawks' Garden into a thriving native habitat and hands-on learning space for K-5 classrooms.
With a commitment to environmental education, Dana partnered with the community to cultivate the garden, inspiring over 500 students and staff members to engage with this vital ecosystem.
Her innovative work earned her national recognition as a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.
Through Refugia Marin, Dana continues to promote the use of native plants, create wildlife habitats, and enrich student learning in the pursuit of environmental awareness.
