Richman Outdoor Grant
Year 1 Annual Report |
Jump to annual report details (2023-2025)| Amount | $204,555 |
| Grantee | City of Fullerton |
| Award Year | 2022 |
| Funding Source | General Fund, Outdoor Equity Program |
| Project Type | Program Operation |
| Project Status | In Progress |
Description
Conduct the Richman Outdoor Program for residents near the Richman Community Center in the City of Fullerton. This program will include approximately 12 activity days in the community for approximately 800 participants and 22 trips to natural areas for approximately 3,600 participants during two years of programming.
Activities in the community will include understanding water quality and its importance, understanding non-renewable resources and sustainability, understanding habitat conservation and restoration, understanding ecosystems and ecosystem services, learning the basics about camping, and preparing for campouts at Lake Arrowhead.
Trips to natural areas outside of the community will include outdoor exploration at Lake Arrowhead, Marine Biology Lab at LA Outdoor School, snorkeling with wildlife at Catalina Island, pollinator, composting, conservation at Living Coast in Chula Vista, AstroCamp Science Camp in Idylwild, service-learning at Seal Beach Wildlife Refuge, tours of local wetlands at Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach, waste and organic waste education at Environmental Learning Center in Huntington Beach, environmental science learning at CA Science Center in Los Angeles, tours of ecosystems at LA Arboretum, and renewable energy education at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point.
Community Home Base Location
320 West Elm Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832
| County | Orange |
| Assembly District | AD 67 Sharon Quirk-Silva (D) |
| Senate District |
SD 34 Thomas Umberg (D) |
| Congressional District | CD 46 Lou Correa (D) |
Program Goals
Service Learning/Career Pathway/Leadership Opportunities
30 residents will receive a paid internship.
Partnerships
Solidarity will provide outreach to under-resourced Latinx community members that fit within the age requirements of the City’s program.
Center for Healthy Neighborhoods provided outreach for the community meetings and assisted in joining forces with the Fullerton School District to help connect with youth and families.
Fullerton School District to promote awareness of the program and community meetings.
Mentoring
The City of Fullerton will create 10 opportunities for youth to engage with their community as leaders in environmental justice long after the performance of this grant.
Annual Report Details
Programs may span from one year to multi-year, not to exceed four years. The specific length of the program is contained in the description above.
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Served | 0 | 201 | 201 |
| Days for Activities in the Community | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Nature Area Trips | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Inspirational Quotes or Testimonials
2024
Egleth Nuncci, the community liaison for the Richman Neighborhood Center, shared that these excursions have become a summer highlight for many families, particularly students. For some, summer often means staying indoors watching TV, but these community activities and trips to natural areas have motivated them to get outside, explore their surroundings, and apply their newfound knowledge to positively impact their community. During the Living Coast Lab excursion, which focused on pollinators and composting, one student celebrated her birthday and joyfully declared it the best birthday ever, underscoring the lasting, meaningful impact these experiences have on participants. Many families mentioned that they had never visited locations like the Fullerton Arboretum or Carbon Canyon, both near Richman Park, until now. For many, these excursions were their first opportunity to explore these local treasures. They expressed excitement about returning with their families to enjoy these spaces, and the experiences have encouraged them to make use of the wonderful resources available in their own backyard.
List of Educational Goals Achieved
2023
Program still in the planning stages and updates will be submitted in 2024.
2024
Our activities in the community and natural area trips have provided engaging, hands-on education to foster environmental stewardship and promote awareness of sustainability. At Bolsa Chica Wetlands, docent-led nature walks and Q&A sessions deepened understanding of wetland conservation. At the California Science Center, STEM-based exhibits connected stewardship to real-world applications. At the Living Coast Lab, participants explored pollinators, composting, and conservation, inspiring sustainable habits. The City of Fullerton Water Quality session highlighted sanitation methods, while a CSUF student led lessons on non-renewable resources and conservation. Activities at Fullerton Arboretum, LA Arboretum, and Carbon Canyon engaged youth through nature walks, exhibits, and discussions, exploring ecosystems and sustainability concepts. These experiences promoted thinking, deeper connections to nature, and successfully advanced program goals of environmental awareness and action.
List of Formed Partnerships
2023
Program still in the planning stages and updates will be submitted in 2024.
2024
The Richman Neighborhood Center, part of CSU Fullerton’s Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, is a vital resource for Richman Park. It offers foster care support, case management, counseling, parenting education, youth programs, health services, and more. Richman Park was chosen due to its challenges. CalEnviroScreen data reveals 86% BIPOC residents, 361 households without transportation, an average income of $24,237, and limited park space compared to wealthier areas. Programs like the Outdoor Equity Program address disparities, fostering youth connections with nature. We are honored to work with Egleth Nuncci, a resident and advocate whose dedication has strengthened Richman Park. She has praised the program’s excursions for giving youth transformative experiences. Additionally, we’ve partnered with Fullerton’s Water Quality team, led by Delaney Felix and Amanda Munoz, to educate the community on the importance of water quality in daily life.
Lessons
2023
Program still in the planning stages and updates will be submitted in 2024.
2024
One challenge of the Richman Outdoor Grant Program was limited participation during early excursions. To address this, we presented the program's vision to the Fullerton Union School District PTA, Richman Neighborhood Center, and Richman Elementary PTA, increasing awareness of our goal to promote environmental education by providing materials, transportation, and access to natural spaces. A key success has been building relationships with Richman Neighborhood Center families, supported by Egleth Nuncci, the community liaison. Her connections with parents and students have been crucial in advancing our mission of fostering environmental education, responsibility, and stewardship. Tailoring activities to participants’ interests and schedules has created an inclusive and accessible environment for families. Moving forward, we’ve strengthened partnerships, refined outreach, and gathered feedback to enhance participation and ensure a lasting impact on the community.
