Instruction Connects to Nature and Environmental Stewardship Each program this first year – River Trip, Hiking w/ Wolves and the Wildlife Learning Center – connects the participants directly to nature by putting the participants in nature and providing them experiences to experience nature in experiences guided by experts in their fields. By experiencing group-based recreational activities on the LA River, the goal is that youth see the LA River as an accessible urban public space to improve their health and wellness.

By concurrently participating in a river-oriented curriculum led by peer experts, the youth learn leadership skills that empower them to advocate for environmental/health equity in their communities. Hiking and meeting in a natural forest environment, sitting on logs and meeting and interacting with wolves connects the participants to nature and provides them an opportunity to value this natural environment and instills a desire to protect and share it for the future. Spending time and learning about animals who have been displaced or injured due to human activity provides an opportunity for the participants to connect with the animals in an environment free of city noise and cages and to touch and experience the life forces within the animals that can connect the human spirit to feel the tug of being a steward of the animals who need the care of humans for survival.

Fostering Stewardship and Curriculum Aligned By experiencing nature in each of these progrs and seeing its duality of power and fragility, the participants learn the role that they have in the care and future of these resources. The River Trip programming meets multiple educational goals: (1) Instruction in science, engineering, and technology, and (2) the curriculum fosters stewardship of the environment as it is aligned to criteria in the Public Resources Code, Division 34, Part 4: Section 71301. Wolf Connection considers its programming to be complimentary to standard academic curriculum in the areas of natural sciences, anthropology, human history and evolution, behavioral studies, ecology and conservation, and moral and civic education. Environmental stewardship is a natural focus as students learn in the paradigm of the interdependence of humans and animals, how to care for them and their environment. Guided hikes and sit-down talks are the primary teaching methods employed. The Wildlife Learning Center has given more than 22,000 educational presentations since 1998. Animals provide students with a living example of topics from the Next Generation Science Standards for Life Sciences that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Per the WLC “Onsite visitors increase their baseline life science knowledge and gain an appreciation and concern for wildlife and wilderness areas.”

The SHiNE Program addressed key educational objectives (E1, E2, E3) and Additional Learning Opportunities (A4) through: Healthy Lifestyle & Nutritional Habits (E1, A4): Camping 101 (12/3/23): Fostered physical activity and survival skills. Yoga in Nature (1/28/24): Promoted physical/mental well-being. Springtime Garden Brunch & Art (6/15/24): Combined healthy eating with creative outdoor activities. Active Participation & Conservation (E1, A4): Teddy Bear Clinic (2/15/24): Focused on conservation and service-learning. Pottery Painting (Theme: Animals in Transition) (9/28/24): Highlighted creativity and conservation. Community Outreach & Environmental Justice (E1, E2, E3, A4): Snakes & Lizards (3/12/24): Raised awareness of natural resources. Fruit Tree Workshop (3/16/24): Taught conservation and careers. Earth Day Fair (4/21/24): Combined outreach, conservation, and environmental justice. Impact:Promoted wellness, civic engagement, stewardship, career exploration, and service-learning.

Outward Bound Adventures has been a partner with River LA since 2018 when we pioneered an environmental studies expedition with an outdoor camping experience along the LA River. Since 1962, OBA has provided nature-based education and outdoor adventures that promote positive self-development, environmental responsibility, and outdoor career exposure for urban youth. It is the oldest non-profit in the nation created and dedicated to providing outdoor education, conservation and environmental learning expeditions for primarily low income, urban and rural youth and their families who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience time spent in wild places and open spaces. This first year, Outward Bound Adventures provided a 3-day/2-night nature activity along the LA River for twelve youth from Compton, emphasizing multi-disciplinary environmental studies that also included teaching basic camping skills, like learning how to set-up and tear-down a campsite, tents and a camp kitchen; and how to manage personal hygiene in an outdoor environment without showers, sinks or mirrors. The trip culminated where the river meets the sea, with an experience navigating an electric boat in Long Beach Harbor. The youth participants experienced the LA River in a completely different way than they ever had before – camping, kayaking, and engaging in science experiments. River LA learned that the recruiting process is very important in finding students that have parent/guardian support in making sure the participants follow through with their commitment to attend the program.

The Wolf Connection provided 75 youth participants over three trips with an opportunity to be in the Los Angeles National Forest and connect with their authentic selves as they experience relationships with rescued wolves and the natural environment. These deeply intuitive animals inspire young people to be fully present in their bodies, release ideas and behaviors that no longer serve, and understand their unique role in a human “pack” or community. Our participants learn to forgive and give themselves and others the love and respect they deserve and to become stewards of the earth. It is easier to understand the "how" to do this when having a meaningful experience with animals in nature. This adventure is filled with a hike in the Angeles National Forest with the wolves and a good deal of work in self-reflection, awareness, and regulation. River LA learned that we would like to provide this opportunity to more youth in the future and that this partnership is incredibly valuable. The Wolf Connection staff told us they want our participants to come back and to be counsellors in their program.

Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center (WLLC) provides over 100 displaced, rescued and zoo-born wild animals with a home and provides public education in the life sciences, conservation, and the environment. Together we were able to provide 135 4th graders from Compton with the rare opportunity to hold, touch and feed animals in their habitat, animals like sloths, porcupines, armadillos and giraffes. The WLLC staff biologists and ecologists taught the participants about the animals and how to care for the environment to foster stewardship of animals and nature. Students walked around the nature park, which is an old olive grove, appreciating nature. They were guided on an instructional tour and had free time to roam and reflect on their own. River LA learned that this was an ideal experience for elementary-aged youth as the WLLC staff and chaperones described how engaged they were, by the questions they asked and how they enjoyed being in the natural environment. Overall, we also learned to request signed photo releases for parents/guardians for all trips in the future. We also will actively capture media of the participants and their experiences for grant reporting and program marketing.

Since the program's launch in September 2022, the San Bernardino Healthy in Nature Equity (SHiNE) Program has built strong partnerships with Outdoor Outreach (OO) and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD). The Institute for Community Partnerships (ICP) and OO collaborated on four overnight camping trips between December 2023 and November 2024, supported by an MOU. OO has served as a valuable mentor, offering guidance to enhance our outdoor programming. In addition to working with SBCUSD’s Family Engagement Office, SHiNE partnered with Loma Linda University’s Child Life Department for a Teddy Bear Clinic, TreePeople for a Fruit Tree Workshop, Wild Man Dan for a wildlife workshop, and LLU’s Earth & Biological Sciences Department and Master Gardeners for the SHiNE Earth Day Fair. These collaborations have bolstered recruitment, provided program support, and advanced SHiNE’s mission to create a welcoming space for youth and families to connect and build community.

Find good partner(s) in the community home base to work with in finding the best participants.

Study and understand the grant administration manual.

See your project officer as a valuable resource and work closely with them - be open about both challenges and successes of the grant administration.

Be realistic about insurance requirements and understand the costs.

Secure media release forms from your participants in advance.

Successful Methods Bilingual Event Flyers: Flyers with event details and sign-up links in both English and Spanish have streamlined registration and increased accessibility. Text Communication: Using SimpleTexting for event reminders and resource sharing has improved communication with families, allowing for quick responses in both in English and Spanish. Website: A centralized Linktree for event sign-ups, photos, and resources has improved accessibility for participants and staff. Event Itineraries: Detailed itineraries, reviewed with event leads before each trip ensure smooth collaboration. Challenges & Solutions Weather: We’re learning to anticipate weather patterns to reduce scheduling disruptions. Event Sign-Up Inconsistencies: To address drop-offs after sign-up, we’re also calling participants in addition to sending out confirmation texts. Lack of Winter Gear: We’re starting a gear closet to loan out necessary clothing and ensure all participants are properly equipped for trips.