Los Nogales Nursery at the Audubon Center at Debs Park

A Growing Legacy, Now in Bloom for the Public

Tucked into the hills of Northeast Los Angeles, Los Nogales Nursery has quietly flourished for over a decade—growing native plants, supporting habitat restoration, and nurturing community involvement. Now, something new is blooming: for the first time ever, the nursery is opening its gates to the public for native plant sales, thanks to a new partnership with the Theodore Payne Foundation! 

This exciting collaboration between the Audubon Center at Debs Park and the Theodore Payne Foundation builds on a long history of ecological stewardship and community engagement. Originally established in 2008 in partnership with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, the Los Nogales nursery began as a training site where Corps Members learned how to sow and grow California native plants for on-site restoration. Corps members also helped to maintain build and maintain trails! Although the Corps program eventually paused, Audubon staff continued to cultivate plants, helping to rewild Debs Park with bird-friendly, locally adapted species. 

In 2014, a renovation led by Justin Yee and supported by the National Park Service breathed new life into Los Nogales Nursery. The goal? To transform the nursery into a true community resource, one that would raise awareness about conservation issues while producing habitat and food sources for birds and wildlife while inviting community members to learn as they completed the work together.  

Today, with over 6,000 square feet of growing space, Los Nogales is home to more than 30 species of California native plants grown from local seeds. Volunteers have helped nurture over 5,000 plants yearly, many of which have found homes in public green spaces and private gardens across Northeast LA. These plants are not only beautiful and drought-tolerant, they’re essential for local biodiversity, offering food and shelter for birds, insects, and other wildlife. 

Beyond growing plants, Los Nogales is cultivating conservation leaders. Programs like the California Native Plant Nursery Workshop give community members hands-on training in propagation, identification, and sustainable nursery practices. These initiatives empower individuals to take an active role in habitat restoration and climate-resilient landscaping. 

With this new partnership, the nursery is expanding its reach. The Theodore Payne Foundation brings decades of native plant expertise and a shared vision for a greener Los Angeles. Together, we’re offering public plant sales, educational workshops, and new ways for people to bring their native habitat home. 

A Partnership Between Audubon Center at Debs Park & Theodore Payne Foundation

As collaborators, we will host workshops, gardening and propagation classes, bird and native plant ID events, and volunteer days. We hope Los Nogales becomes a neighborhood hub for habitat restoration, connection, and care.

Hours

Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
9AM to 3PM

Getting to Los Nogales Nursery

Location

4700 Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
📍Open on Google Maps
Check our Parking and Directions page for more information. 

• Los Nogales Nursery is tucked behind the fence at the bottom of the hill on Griffin Avenue across the street from the soccer fields. 

• Street parking is available near the nursery and a loading zone will allow you to transfer your plants to your car. 

• The Nursery can also be accessed via a two-minute walk down from the Audubon Center at Debs Parks using the internal paths. 

• Use the pin above to map to the exact location. 

• The Audubon Center does not allow dogs in their center. Please leave your furry friends at home.