Experiences Naturales - Youth and Families

ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY

Trip I. Community Bike Program EDUCATIONAL GOAL 1: Leave No Trace:

Youth learned the seven principles of environmental stewardship through interactive games, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature. Discussion on Alternative Transportation: Group discussions highlighted the environmental and health benefits of using bicycles as a mode of transportation, enhancing awareness of sustainable living practices.

Bike Maintenance Workshops: Participants attended Greenfield CSW's free Bike Garage Workshops, gaining skills in basic bike maintenance, which not only enhances their cycling experience but also supports sustainable habits.

Public Outreach: The Clean Task Park Force engaged in community outreach at public events, educating the public on proper recycling and waste disposal, and the impact of these practices on the local watershed.

Park Cleanups: Participants actively engaged in garbage collection and recycling during park cleanups. This hands-on experience taught them the importance of recycling and the detrimental effects of pollution on the environment.

Environmental Impact Awareness: The program provided education on human impacts on the environment and practical measures to mitigate negative effects, aligning with broader educational standards and fostering environmental stewardship. Trip III.

Art in the Park: The art programs offered as part of our “Art in the Park” series are summarized below: Explorer’s Academy: Students create nature-themed art after school through painting, drawing, acting, and making music. Students learn foundational skills in a variety of artistic mediums so they can explore what kind of artist they might become one day, as well as develop an appreciation for nature. Developing Artistic Identity: In an immersive, multi-day experience, our students learn formal concepts in art, train their eye for real-world observation, and explore still-life and landscape painting. Our social-emotional learning objectives include decreasing self-judgment, expanding frustration tolerance, and developing artistic identity. Throughout the courses, the artistic process is emphasized over the product.

Beat the Odds: Beat the Odds® (BTO) is an evidence-based and trauma-informed program that integrates the power of contemporary drum circles and group counseling to build core strengths such as focusing and listening, team building, leadership, expressing feelings, managing anger/stress, empathy, and gratitude All programs have a common theme, “Nature as our Teacher”. The programs offered use art to promote socio-emotional well-being and emphasize the valuable role nature can play in this endeavor. While all programs highlight the beauty and lessons of nature, the third program (Beat the Odds) uniquely turns inwards, prompting introspective questions centered around communication and understanding. Some of these questions include: how do we listen? How do we process information? How do we make sounds? How are sounds used to communicate and feel? How can we communicate through different sounds?

Guided Hikes: Cindy Martínez, leveraging her experience from the Pinnacles National Park Ranger Program, contributed a hiking guide used by Greenfield CSW staff. These hikes deepened students' understanding of the park's unique geology and wildlife, like Townsend’s big-eared bats and California Condors.

Biodiversity Bingo: A custom game by Greenfield CSW focusing on the park's diverse flora and fauna, enhancing participants' awareness and knowledge of local biodiversity. Plein Art: A post-hike watercolor painting session led by Sam Tidwell, intertwining art with outdoor experiences and nurturing artistic expression linked to nature.

Watersheds: Participants engaged in discussions about the Big Sur River Watershed, learning the critical role of watersheds in maintaining ecological balance and the importance of keeping them free of pollutants.

Redwoods, Fires, and Climate Change: Through tours and presentations, the trip emphasized the impact of climate change on natural ecosystems, using redwoods as a living example of resilience and vulnerability.

Native Americans Presentation: An insightful session with Big Sur Native Americans, providing an authentic perspective on the region's indigenous heritage and environmental stewardship.

Stargazing Sessions: Astronomy activities led by Greenfield CSW staff, using their telescope to spark interest in celestial bodies and the vastness of the universe.

Marine Life Diversity: Educational sessions during the whale watching emphasized the richness of marine biodiversity in Monterey Bay and the crucial role of responsible human behavior in preserving marine ecosystems.

Healthy Lifestyles: A meal preparation session at Moss Landing State Beach post-trip emphasized the importance of nutrition and healthy eating. Conservation Efforts: A beach clean-up activity integrated into the Leave No Trace lesson, encouraging active participation in environmental conservation and community cleanliness.

Enhanced Vocabulary and Knowledge: The zoo tour, adapted for different age groups, covered a wide range of topics from basic animal identification to complex ecological concepts like food chains and conservation challenges.

Sensory Learning: The immersive experience allowed participants to use all their senses, deepening their understanding and connection with the animals and their habitats.

Wildlife Appreciation and Conservation: The visit highlighted conservation efforts and inspired participants to take actionable steps in wildlife protection, aligning with the zoo's mission to connect people with wildlife and advance conservation action. Trip IX. Youth Trip to the Sierras (Yosemite National Park).

California Gold Rush History: Integrating historical context with environmental education, providing a comprehensive understanding of California's natural and cultural heritage.

Stargazing: Enhancing scientific literacy through astronomy, offering a tangible connection to celestial phenomena.

Career Pathway Mentoring: Encouraging participation in programs that foster skills and experiences relevant to natural resource management and environmental protection careers. Trip XII. Youth Trip to the Snow.

Water Cycle Exploration: Deep dive into the importance of snow in California's water system, linking recreation with environmental science. Physics of

Snowboarding: Application of physics concepts to snowboarding, making science tangible and engaging.

Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the human body's response and adaptation to physical activities like snowboarding, bridging sports with biology.

Pinnacles NP

Practiced Leave No Trace (LNT), learned about the California condor recovery, and explored geology and wildlife with rangers. Activities aligned with NGSS. Camping Trip (Big Sur) Learned about the Big Sur River Watershed and redwoods, including climate change impacts. Practiced LNT, camping basics, and wildlife safety. Native American heritage presentations and stargazing encouraged cultural and scientific learning. Camping Trip (Yosemite) Practiced LNT, explored geology, water cycles, and sequoia ecology. Engaged in conservation projects with Yosemite’s Volunteer Program. Stargazing sparked interest in astronomy. Engaging with rangers provided youth valuable insights into careers like wildlife biology and environmental science, and the programs/activities they personally delivered inspired participants to embrace stewardship and consider futures in conservation fields.

GREENFIELD UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT (GUSD):

The local school district has been fundamental in helping the Greenfield CSW promote grant activities. The local district has access to all students and parents through their social media channels and their outreach tools, such as ParentSquare. Many participating students and families tell us that they heard of our activities via the GUSD.

CENTRO BINACIONAL PARA EL DESARROLLO INDIGENA OAXAQUEÑO (CBDIO): The CBDIO exists to support migrant agricultural workers, particularly those coming from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Our partnership with CBDIO has allowed us to engage with Oaxacan families and involve them in grant activities. Outreach efforts include flyer distribution at the CBDIO office and events, social media outreach through CBDIO platforms, and periodic meetings with CBDIO staff. That’s why in 1993, leaders of the Oaxaqueño community founded CBDIO to support campesinos and their families in the Central Valley in California.

BAY AREA WILDERNESS TRAINING (BAWT): This organization offers training to educators and youth workers to help them develop the confidence and skills needed to take youth and families on outdoor adventures. Their training ranges in scope, from basic Frontcountry Leadership, Wilderness Leadership, to Wilderness First Aid. Four Greenfield CSW staff have participated in their training.

MONTEREY OFF ROAD CYCLING ASSOCIATION (MORCA): This organization offers basic training on how to lead mountain bike rides. They also offer volunteer bike mechanics and chaperones for our biking trips. MORCA has helped with several biking trips.

GEARS4GOOD: This organization’s mission is to provide bicycles for people who cannot afford them. Gears4Good is helping the City of Greenfield identify the most practical and cost-effective bicycles for our bike programs.

COMMUNITY BIKE COLLECTIVE (CBC): The Community Bike Collective's mission is to make biking more accessible through education and by minimizing barriers. Specifically, CBC engages youth through learning in action with hands-on activities: including bike skills, life skills, self-care, community-care, healthy living, and local history. The CBC helps the Greenfield CSW with our bike collective trips by providing chaperones and, when needed, equipment such as extra helmets, gloves, etc.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS BIG SUR DISTRICT: The City of Greenfield has forged a partnership with the California State Parks Big Sur District, thanks to Superintendent Marcos Ortega. This collaboration enabled a family camping trip in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park during the CA State Parks Week. Our group also enjoyed exclusive tours and talks led by local park staff. One of those talks was led by Mr. Ortega himself. Thanks to this ongoing partnership, the Greenfield CSW will be camping at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park again in 2024. SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE (STRL): STRL is dedicated to the protection and rejuvenation of California's redwoods. They facilitated our introduction to CA State Parks in Big Sur and have pledged ongoing support for future trips to redwood regions.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: The City of Greenfield is collaborating with this program to organize a camping trip for teens to Yosemite National Park. Besides camping, the group will assist in park restoration tasks, allowing participants to engage with nature, contribute to conservation efforts, and explore potential outdoor career avenues.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAVELING COMPANIONS (ETC): ETC hosts us and facilitates our annual rafting trip. They also provide invaluable leadership programs for our youth. Their leadership programs, also known as Youth LEAD, focus on outdoor skills, environmental education, socio-emotional growth, and leadership development. These initiatives are two to three weeks long and strive to empower young participants to effect positive change in their communities and exercise leadership. In the summer of 2023, Greenfield's youth participated in the program. Photos of our youth's involvement can be viewed here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/k3xdxxH9NMeeYXv67

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History: The museum is a regular stop after visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium. All future Aquarium visits will now take place on the last Saturday of each month, aligning with Science Saturday events at the Pacific Grove Museum. These events feature interactive activities focused on local and regional ecology.

United States National Forest Service: The Greenfield CSW is now an official partner of the US Forest Service. Greenfield, CA, is less than 30 minutes from Los Padres National Forest, which spans nearly 2 million acres, including Big Sur. The Forest Service will support day visits to the Arroyo Seco Picnic Area, recently reopened after storm damage.

Avatar Arts: The Greenfield CSW partners with Avatar Arts, led by Sam Tidwell, to integrate art into education. Mr. Tidwell uses art to teach nature and outdoor appreciation. During a recent Pinnacles trip, he guided families and youth in a watercolor painting session.

Key lessons we've learned this year is the vital importance of staff training and development. We strongly recommend that all involved organizations implement a professional development plan that encompasses Outdoor Recreation Leadership (ORL), while also leveraging local and regional opportunities. Competent staff not only enhance the quality of trips and activities but also ensure their safety and enjoyment for all participants. Additionally, by appropriately delegating tasks and responsibilities, staff burnout can be significantly reduced. Transportation has posed challenges, being both difficult to secure and increasingly costly. We are yet to find an effective solution for this issue and would appreciate any shared resources or suggestions from local and regional organizations. Flexibility in planning is crucial. While having a well-developed plan is essential, it's equally important to remain open to adaptation and improvisation. We've discovered that the specifics of our trips often change, usually for the better. Through promoting and organizing these trips, we've encountered individuals, organizations, and institutions eager to collaborate, enriching our experiences. This includes artists facilitating outdoor art sessions, rangers assisting with campsite reservations and tours, and organizations offering special accommodations. These experiences have taught us that numerous valuable resources become apparent only through active engagement in organizing trips.

Preparing for weather changes and adapting to climate-related events and disasters is essential. Weather can be unpredictable, and while some inconveniences can be managed, climate events and disasters, such as the slides in Monterey County that blocked access to Arroyo Seco Campground, can cause significant delays. These events, unpredictable as they may be, should be anticipated, especially for multi-year grant projects. -In communities historically lacking access to outdoor activities like camping, rafting, or snowboarding, recruitment can be challenging. The effort and time invested in recruitment should not be underestimated. Start early and employ creative strategies for community engagement. This might involve exploring new spaces, events, or forming new partnerships.

Trip preparation is time-intensive

Activities like overnight camping, especially in extreme weather conditions, require thorough preparation. It's insufficient to provide participants with a packing list; a pre-trip gear inspection is crucial to ensure everyone's safety and comfort. Allocate adequate time for these preparations. -Accounting for inflation in your budget is essential. With the annual increase in prices, expect the costs in the fourth year of your grant to be significantly higher than in the first year. -Finally, developing partnerships can be an energizing experience. Interacting with a diverse group of people passionate about equitable outdoor access has been an unexpected yet wonderful aspect of our work.

Transportation for large groups remains one of the most challenging and costly aspects of the program. Thus far, we have managed to find solutions, but it’s not easy, and costs continue to rise. With every outing, we learn more, build new connections, and continue to establish valuable partnerships. This highlights the importance of giving underserved communities the opportunity to create programs and develop the infrastructure needed to run them at a high level. While I understand the need for California State Parks to ensure that grantees have the capacity and expertise to deliver on a grant proposal, it’s also crucial to recognize that sometimes an upfront investment is necessary. Trust that organizations will grow their capacity and expertise given resources, time and support. When implementing new trips or programs, changes are inevitable. I recommend incorporating flexibility into the grant cycle (every year) to adapt activities to the realities on the ground.