The Ventana Wilderness Alliance’s Youth in Wilderness Program is celebrating the end of a successful 2010-2011 field season and looking forward to an ever-expanding group of partners and increased wilderness opportunities for youth throughout the central coast.
This year we expanded our existing relationships with Salinas Community School, CSU Monterey Bay, and UC Santa Cruz. These included environmental education trips into the Carmel River and Tassajara Creek watersheds, as well as trail restoration trips on the Skinner Ridge, Pine Ridge, and Ventana Trails. We also fostered new partnerships with Rancho Cielo Alternative High School, Big Sur Land Trust, King City Elementary Science Camp and California Polytechnic State University. These new partnerships included fire suppression work on the Marble Peak Trail, restoration of the Cruikshank trail and environmental education on the (Big Sur Land Trust’s) Mitteldorf Preserve. In addition, we led high school students from across the state on interpretive hikes and multi-day backpacking trips, underscoring the importance of getting all Californians excited about their public lands.
The breadth of ages, cultural and geographic backgrounds within these outings demonstrates that the Youth in Wilderness program is an effective means for connecting with and serving young people throughout the Monterey Bay area and beyond.
In 2011-2012, we will continue to grow the program based on these successes. In addition to expanding our list of partners, we have been developing exceptional volunteer leaders through a partnership with the CSUMB Outdoor Adventure Club. Adventure Club leaders Sara Kelly and Mike McDonald have lent invaluable expertise to the program, bringing experience and positive mentorship for trip participants.
In an effort to keep wilderness accessible, Youth in Wilderness outings are provided at low to no cost. To help ensure that we are able to continue inspiring the youth of California, please consider a donation to the Youth in Wilderness Program. Your donation will allow us to keep providing fun and memorable outdoor experiences to youth, many of whom would otherwise not have the opportunity.
2010-2011 Field Year
|
Number of Outings |
Elementary Students |
High School Students |
College/University Students |
Partners |
Educational Hours |
Restoration Hours |
|
12 |
236 |
90 |
49 |
11 |
1452 |
2156 |
For more information, please contact Morgan Harris at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (831) 423-3191
