Our excursions to Camp Okihi and the California Living Museum offered families and students an immersive experience in the principles of land conservation and environmental stewardship. During our visit to Camp Okihi, students gained firsthand insights into land conservation efforts. They witnessed the transformative impact of the WWF's dedication to rejuvenating previously neglected areas.

The founding members not only showcased their hard work but also emphasized the ongoing commitment needed to preserve the land at Camp Okihi. At CALM Zoo, students encountered a diverse array of animal species, many of which were previously only studied in textbooks or seen in videos. This visit allowed them to observe these creatures up close and witness the dedicated stewardship required for their care. These experiences not only deepened their understanding but also cultivated a profound appreciation for the environment and nurtured a sense of environmental stewardship. The exposure to such impactful experiences during this crucial developmental stage in their lives is invaluable. It goes beyond classroom learning, leaving an indelible mark on their awareness, fostering a genuine connection to nature, and instilling a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment.

Youth and families further leanred the importance of green spaces and sustainable practices through the garden at the ALMA’s Girls Today Women Tomorrow Empowerment Center. Expansion of education on green spaces and the importance of maintaining, cultivating, and nurturing green/nature areas. Additional education onthe nutritional value of vegetation and its cultivation.[@[Checked YouTube link]]

Thanks to our successful collaboration with the Kern Superintendent of Schools, we established meaningful partnerships with both the White Wolf Wellness Foundation and the California Living Museum. Accomplishments: In April, our collaboration with the White Wolf Wellness Foundation enabled 15 families and 37 kids to experience the educational wonders of Camp Okihi.

Situated near the Kern River, WWF manages 14 acres dedicated to outdoor education, covering essential topics such as composting, water sequestration, land conservation, and gardening. In October, our joint effort with the California Living Museum provided an enriching experience for 15 families and 32 kids as they explored a zoo showcasing endangered species native to Kern County.

Deane Dana Friendship Natural Area: Connecting with rangers to learn about different species local to San Pedro and California. Education on the space itself and the importance of maintaining and cultivating green spaces. - Costello Senior Center: Expanding connection with senior groups in the area as well as increased exposure to education of green spaces and cultivating / nurturing green spaces (especially in a community known to be surrounded by freeways). - Lincoln Heights Branch Library: Connection to Lincoln Heights community and growth of gardening workshops which include general green space education. - Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission: Connection to Proyecto Pastoral community and growth of gardening workshops which include general green space education.

A critical takeaway from these endeavors is the importance of maintaining consistent and clear communication with all stakeholders, including partners, parents, students, and transportation.

In addressing unexpected challenges, we encountered difficulty in maintaining consistent participation across our eight family nature day workshops. Our primary engagement came from larger community events held throughout the year, featuring diverse resource and food vendors. To enhance participation levels for the upcoming year, we are strategizing a more collaborative approach.

We intend to closely align with our community home base, Williams Elementary School's after-school program, aiming to increase participation numbers. Simultaneously, we plan to enhance our curriculum, ensuring that it offers unique activities beyond the scope of the school environment, providing children with valuable experiences not readily accessible during regular school hours. This will be achieved by cultivating new partnerships with educational and nature-based nonprofits in our community, while also sustaining the ones established this year.

Youth and the community have been able to understand the benefits of playing with soil. Understanding the role mycobacterium vaccae (bacteria in healthy soil) plays in helping produce serotonin encourages participation and consistency. By combining our outreach efforts and sample gardening activities has helped us build interest in gardening workshops, given us time to connect with youth and community and has helped build a foundation of trust. Now, community members have the opportunity to garden to take a small plant home. Other outreach efforts we’ve attended where we have done some type of gardening workshop have been received with much excitement, and the usual feedback is 1. the enjoyment of the activity and 2. the gratitude for education on caring for their plants.