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By Celeste Gasperik, Roxana Aguilar, and Jenna Cobb Community Nature Connection received the opportunity from National Association of Environmental Education's (NAAEE) Values-Based Environmental Education Evaluation (eeVAL) to participate in a Deep Evaluation Learning Journey (DELJ). Our team was grouped with and guided by emerging and expert evaluators using the a Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation values, practices, and framework. This blog post is a reflection on our journey experience and learnings. The Journey Begins (May - September, 2023) Learning about the eeVAL Learning about the values Meeting our team Understanding our roles Floating ideas Our team approached the DELJ opportunity knowing we wanted to be doing evaluation and doing it equitably, but we didn’t have a clear shared concept of what that might look like. What started out as a feeling of impatience around the perceived lack of structure and a shallow understanding of the values, slowly and painstakingly transformed into the intentional spaciousness necessary for ideas to seed and grow, grounded by the guiding values that held us accountable to each other and to working on evaluation with equity in mind. eeVAL Values: https://evaluation.naaee.org/values Building relationships and trust with our team to the point where we were able to forge a path and collaborate toward a shared goal proved challenging. Even so, navigating this challenge as a team allowed us to build a stronger bond and foundation for our work. As we pushed ourselves to put our trust in the process, the values of Shared Learning and Equity in Motion provided the guidance we sought that allowed us to begin to define and redefine our focus. Prioritizing Values & Setting Intentions (September, 2023 - January, 2024) Deepening curiosity Integrating CREE values with organizational values Intentional focus on authentic engagement Setting goals and timelines/ determining roles Bringing in the Community Nature Connection (CNC) team Our eeVAL team roles evolved throughout the journey as we each gained a deeper curiosity for each other’s values and began to build our team goals while contributing to the process with compassion and understanding. Early on we voiced the need to incorporate multiple voices into our program design and evaluation methods through intentional engagement and qualitative data analysis. Our team focused on redefining the quality of our engagement with each other through intentional dialogue, transparency around our evaluation skill levels, and explored evaluation methods that consisted of genuine care for community members and participant voices. We  grappled with a perceived lack of formal structure throughout the journey while being flexible and open to challenging ourselves in the process of searching for equitable frameworks. We realized there was a gap of equitable frameworks in traditional evaluation and our journey began to fill that gap as we incorporated feedback from the eeVAL team. The eeVAL leadership team was available to provide insight and feedback as we found synergy between the eeVAL values and CNC’s organizational values. This led to an intentional deep dive and refinement of our equitable qualitative methods.  Reframing the DELJ as a shared learning journey rather than a training program with a final product made room for curiosity, exploration, deep thought, and intentionality in our group. The team set an intention to incorporate  diverse voices through authentic engagement by including the eeVAL team, eeVAL leads, CNC staff, CNC participants, and alumni in the process. Our team aimed to gain a better understanding of participants' connection to nature and how they define nature for themselves. In the last half of our evaluation journey, we were on our way to accomplishing this through collaborative focus group facilitation training for our staff, implementation of focus groups, and qualitative data analysis.  eeVAL processes: https://evaluation.naaee.org/process Focus Groups & Teamwork (January-April, 2024) Working with the team Working with the program leads Focus Group training session Focus group guide creation Focus group implementation Once our project plans solidified, there was an instinct to rush the process. We only had four months before the official eeVAL Deep Journey Partnership ended, and we needed to train our staff in leading focus groups, recruit for and implement the focus groups, and analyze our data! However, remembering the value of Authentic Engagement, we decided to prioritize genuine relationships and adjust our evaluation timeline accordingly. We recruited a few youth evaluation advisors who gave input on our focus group questions. Also, we practiced going at the speed of trust with our staff and internal evaluation project team. During our first staff focus group training with our emerging evaluators, our staff brought up some tough questions about how to run culturally responsive and equitable focus groups. The evaluators were very responsive to their questions, sharing many resources and dedicating a large portion of our second training to continue addressing staff members’ questions. Our focus on Authentic Engagement led to the youth participants of our focus groups feeling comfortable and enjoying the experience. One participant shared, “I like all the dialogue that we had, the questions and everything, like it made it seem like we weren't just in here. It felt like we were actually doing something.” Staff also had positive experiences with many excited to apply this evaluation process to their own programs. Ongoing Journey & Shared Learning (May - November, 2024) Continuing the Work Internally Committee Work & Upskilling NAAEE Conference and Shared Learning While the eeVAL DELJ has reached its conclusion, our work on equitable evaluation continues. We founded an evaluation committee at our org and invited our team to continue in shared learning and work on equitable evaluation. We engaged in collaborative upskilling to learn how to complete coding and thematic analysis of our qualitative data. We then produced a visualization and summary of our findings which we intend to share back with participants for participants checks and approvals and then to share with our stakeholders and incorporate the findings into culturally relevant and responsive program design. In November, 2024 we received the opportunity to attend the NAAEE Conference: Building Bridges in Pittsburgh, PA. We were able to live into the value of Shared Learning by sharing our experience and journey engaging with the eeVAL values and practices. We return home to our work with renewed enthusiasm for engaging in culturally relevant and equitable evaluation. We look forward to sharing our findings soon on how our community connects to nature.

Welcome to our CNC Alumni Spotlight, where we celebrate the inspiring journeys of our past program participants. Today, we're thrilled to spotlight Darío Herrera, a former participant in the MRCA River Ambassadors program who has since embarked on a remarkable career path, combining his passion for community service with his love for the natural world. Connecting to the LA River Darío joined the MRCA River Ambassadors program in 2015-16, an experience that marked his first opportunity to form what would become a deep connection to the LA River. Despite growing up in the neighborhood, Darío faced the barrier of restricted access which inhibited his ability to connect to the River. The program created a space in which he could both enjoy  the River and participate in civic activities related to it. One of the highlights of Darío’s time with the River Ambassadors was being able to encourage and share a feeling of connectedness to the River with the community. Through the program, he and the other River Ambassadors planned events and coordinated community outings. This responsibility was both thrilling and eye-opening. “It was amazing to help people interact with Marsh Park and to see it as a space meant for community enjoyment,” Darío reflects. He experienced many firsts, including kayaking and camping, and gained valuable knowledge about nature. He appreciated being a part of a cohort of youth with varying levels of interest in the outdoors, learning and deepening their connections together. Darío’s Journey Following his time with the River Ambassadors, Darío secured a job with MRCA as an Interpretive Host at Franklin Canyon Park where he was able to share his passion for nature and provide information about local hikes, all while working independently. Darío's journey continued at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he further nurtured his affinity with the natural world. During college summers, he returned to LA for internships with community-based organizations, driven by a desire to serve and connect with others. His roles included working at a lending library in Boyle Heights called Libros Schmibros, a nonprofit preschool, and a tech startup focused on education access and equity. He also began to pursue an interest in oral histories, an area that intrigued him as a History major in college. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Darío volunteered at Mercadito, a local free produce distribution program, run by LA Más and that was where he met LA Más' Executive Director, Helen Leung. Their shared roots in Elysian Valley and her knowledge of his interests led her to encourage Darío to apply for an open position at another local non-profit Clockshop. Here Darío's background in history and community-focused work would come in handy for their new oral history project, Take Me to Your River. Community Voices In January 2023, Darío began his role as the Community Programs Manager at Clockshop. His main responsibility is leading the oral history project, " Take Me to Your River ," which spans three years and focuses on documenting the experiences of communities in Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Elysian Valley, and Atwater Village. This project aims to amplify the voices of community members experiencing the effects of gentrification and to preserve the cultural narratives that contribute to the richness of these neighborhoods. As Darío puts it “Displacement not only affects people physically but is also cultural. You lose the culture of community, not only because people take their physical beings away but also their stories.” Reflections & Advice Reflecting on his time with the River Ambassadors, Darío notes how it shaped his relationship with the outdoors and highlights the importance of access–how building a connection to smaller, more local green spaces can actually have the same benefit as traveling to more far-flung regional parks. His initial fears of outdoor experiences were overcome, fostering a lasting spirit of curiosity and adventure. Darío values the social skills and connections he developed through the River Ambassadors program. His advice to current CNC participants is to maintain relationships with mentors and peers, emphasizing that these connections can be crucial for future opportunities. “Your network is what’s going to help you land these jobs,” he advises. “Take advantage of your youth to soak up as much as you can.” Continuing Connections Darío shared that he appreciates the monthly emails and local alumni events through CNC’s Continuing Connections program and hopes for more opportunities that offer tangible takeaways and accessible activities. We’re incredibly grateful to Darío for sharing his journey with our community and we look forward to staying connected to witness the impact he continues to make in his community. His story drives our work in nurturing young leaders who are passionate about both nature and service through our programs. Keep an eye out for more spotlights on the alumni who make our community vibrant and resilient.

By Jenna Cobb Members of CNC’s Continuing Connections alumni & friends program at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium for the grunion run. On Sunday, June 23, members of Continuing Connections (CNC’s program for alumni and friends) traveled to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro to witness the grunion run. What is a “grunion run,” you might ask? California grunion are small, silver fish only found along the coast of Southern California and northern Baja California. They have the unique behavior of emerging completely from the sea to lay their eggs on the wet sand of the beach. This phenomenon is called a grunion run. Grunion runs happen all over Southern California between March and August and generally occur on the 2nd-5th nights following the night of the new or full moon when the tide is highest. Depending on the conditions, there may be up to thousands of grunion present on a beach during a grunion run. In California, it is legal to catch grunion during open season (March, July, and August). The little silver fish can be grilled, fried, and even made into fish sauce ! For people 16 years and older, a CA fishing license is required to harvest grunion. Grunion must be taken by hand only, and 30 fish can be harvested per day. However, even if you’re not interested in catching grunion or it is closed season, just observing the grunion run is a spectacular experience! According to CA Department of Fish & Wildlife, “Some of the beaches in Southern California that are known to have runs are: the beach between Morro Bay and Cayucos, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Hermosa Beach, Cabrillo Beach, Long Beach, Belmont Shore, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Doheny Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Mission Beach and the Coronado Strand. The beaches near Ensenada in Baja California also have good runs.” One of the best ways to find out which beaches have had recent runs is to call state or county beach lifeguards who can often share if spawning has taken place. You can also find the annual Expected Grunion Run Times  and tips on how not to scare off the grunion  on the Department of Fish & Wildlife’s website.  Grunion looking to mate during a grunion run. After the Continuing Connections program’s experience at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s “Meet the Grunion” event, we highly recommend observing a grunion run there. Not only did the aquarium staff guide our observations of the run, but we also visited the aquarium, watched a short educational film about grunion, and hatched grunion eggs while learning the grunion dance! The aquarium puts on multiple “Meet the Grunion” events  per year. Participants shared that the experience made them feel very “awed,” “spirit bound,” and “peaceful.” Grunion run season ends in August, so we highly recommend you experience the magic of a grunion run next month or next season! Sources https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion/Amazing

Between May 8th and 9th, an estimated 14,400 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into Ballona Creek and was carried out into the ocean, according to health officials. T he Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ordered a beach and ocean water closure for two miles of coastline south of Venice Beach to Dockweiler Beach. When I worked at Heal the Bay, we considered this a major spill---anything over 10,000 gallons. Ballona Creek is part of the of Ballona Watershed that encompasses an area that included Beverly Hills and Koreatown on the north, the 110 freeway on the east, Inglewood on the south, and everything in between. The outlet for this watershed basin---think of the drain at the end of a bathtub or bottom of a kitchen sink---is at the beach where Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey split. These days the watershed has been built over by the storm drain system, which is a human-made series of pipes, gutter, catch basins, and drains that mirrors nature's watershed and allows communities to drain after a rainstorm so that they don't flood. Sidenote here---besides moving water, creeks, streams, and rivers--all components of the watershed---also move sediment. The overall LA basin, which was bisected by a multitude of rivers and creeks draining the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, was such a fertile home for the Tongva communities. All Los Angeles communities are connected to the ocean through the storm drain system because every community is connected to a watershed. As such, anything that gets into the storm drain system often goes straight to the beach or ocean untreated. With LA being so built out, there are a lot of pollutants, trash, and waste that get into the system and end up at the beach. THE STORM DRAIN SYSTEM and the WASTEWATER SYSTEM ARE DIFFERENT!!!!!However, on occasion, the two intermingle...sometimes intentionally--like when we capture and divert low-runoff producing rainstorms to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment, which is a good thing. However, like the Ballona Creek spill demonstrates, there are unintentional interactions between the two systems that can have impacts to public and ecological health. When there is a sewage spill that leads to a beach closure, folxs need to stay out of the water and off the beach sand due to potential pathogenic--disease causing bacteria and viruses--material that can be present in the water at elevated levels. Depending upon the size of the spill, the beach area impacted and the duration of the are closed will vary. During these times, the public beach is not accessible---obviously for good reasons from a public health perspective. However, this pollution impact does not only impact ocean waters and thereby limit beach access or recreational opportunities. These sewage spills also happen within our local rivers and creeks----see Ballona Creek spill, which can impact a community's ability to access nature in more inland areas. Unfortunately, there have been spills in Los Angeles County waterways that have impacted recreational access to the Los Angeles River, the San Gabriel River, and Malibu Creek. People swim, wade, and connect with Los Angeles' waterways with the same passion as being at the ocean. It is important that we support and invest in infrastructure that enables these resources not to be impacted by pollution from either sewage spills or runoff. Pollution that impacts access to nature is another barrier that needs to be eliminated.

CNC extends our support and love to the LGBTQ community and stands in solidarity with you. The horrific attack on the LGBTQ community at Club Q in Colorado Springs the night before Transgender day of Remembrance is heartbreaking and angering.The combinatory effects of gun culture, cis-heteropatriarchy, racism and late stage capitalism perpetuate a cycle of violence towards oppressed groups as a means of maintaining racial, economic, speciesist, gender, ableist, religious, and sexual hierarchy of power. LGBTQ people deserve to live and thrive in peace, safety, joy and dignity, as well as indigenous, blacks, women, immigrants, differently abled, and every other demographic and species. As Audre Lorde notes in their book Sister Outsider, “the capitalist structure is a many-headed monster. [To this end,] This continued blindness between [groups] can only serve the oppressive system within which we live. And true, unless one lives and loves in the trenches [of oppressed groups] it is difficult to remember that the war against dehumanization is ceaseless.” Audre Lorde states in their piece There is no Hierarchy of Oppression “I have learned that oppression and the intolerance of difference come in all shapes and sexes and colors and sexualities; and that among those of us who share the goals of liberation and a workable future for our children, there can be no hierarchies of oppression. I cannot afford the luxury of fighting one form of oppression only. I cannot afford to believe that freedom from intolerance is the right of only one particular group. And I cannot afford to choose between the fronts upon which I must battle these forces of discrimination, wherever they appear to destroy me. And when they appear to destroy me, it will not be long before they appear to destroy you.” In this country, the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and fear mongering perpetrated by political parties, right-wing media, and prominent political officials are upheld through historic and existing systems of white supremacy and cis-heteropatriarchy. This year alone there are more than 300 bills in state legislatures targeting LGBTQIA+ people for simply existing. Unfortunately the LGBTQ community is not alone in being targeted by these two systems. This pattern of rhetoric and fear mongering continues to be used and implemented to fuel anti-blackness, anti-indigeneity, anti-immigrant, anti-union, anti-women’s health, anti-asian, anti-species, and every other attack against minority demographics. At CNC, our role in the greater movement is to build pathways for equitable access to the outdoors, support the development of youth leadership, and work with all communities to ensure accessibility to nature. CNC seeks to align our role and ways of being with local movement builders and understand how we can be better allies to those organizations whose own work parallels our efforts around the fight for equity and a just transition in Los Angeles. Moving forward, an organizational goal of ours is to embrace our role in the solidarity movement for a just and equitable future. The liberation of our bodies, homes, and environment is directly tied to racial, gender, and socio-economic justice. As CNC starts along this arc, we will provide connections and resources to sister organization’s work on social, environmental, and economic issues. As such, please check-out these resource links and groups, and consider supporting them. Black Trans Advocacy Coalition | Black Trans Rights Are Human Rights Translatin@ Coalition TransLatin@ Coalition (translatinacoalition.org) Queerquechua– https://instagram.com/queerquechua?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Qween Jean– https://instagram.com/qween_jean?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= The Transgender District | San Francisco (transgenderdistrictsf.com) Los Angeles LGBT Center (lalgbtcenter.org) The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860 Support for the Club Q Families and Survivors - gofund.me/ecc85ae3

在家工作时，我们透过一系列由三部分组成的多语言指南扩展服务。我们希望让更多人了解游览海岸、凸显我们在洛杉矶地区部分最喜欢的沿海景点，并与大家分享资源。我们旨在向社区成员简单介绍新主题，就如我们刚认识这些主题时一样。请注意，我们无法详细覆盖每个主题，这个也不是海岸相关主题和刊物的完整清单。这些指南用于教育和休闲目的。CNC 邀请您将来计划行程时使用这些指南。 我们很高兴能出版这些指南。目前正在翻译这些指南到西班牙文和中文并快将出版！ 如对这些指南有任何疑问或反馈，请随时发电邮至marissa@communitynatureconnection.org联系Marissa Llanes。我们喜欢学习和重新学习，所以如果您有希望我们在之后的期号和修订中考虑的主题，请不要客气，通知我们。 我们期待在可以再次安全地重启亲身活动时于项目中见到您。 这些指南由 加州海岸委员会（California Coastal Commission）Whale Tail Grant赞助和支持。我们感谢他们一直致力支持开放海岸，并持续支持我们的项目。疫情期间，谢谢您保持耐心和灵活性，在这段风雨飘摇的日子与我们同在。 感谢我们的伙伴South East Asian Community Alliance与我们分享社区成员的语言需求。 清单上的互动指南按期号列出。请把游标放在照片上或点击照片以访问指南。您也可以下载文档。 Transit To Trails: 洛杉矶沿海通行指南, 第1卷•01期•2021年冬 Transit To Trails: 洛杉矶沿海通行指南, 第1卷•02期•2021年冬 Transit To Trails: 洛杉矶沿海通行指南, 第1卷•03期•2021年冬 我们鼓励您保持安全，并在县级法规中搜索有关在家定购，停业以及确保您和亲人安全的方法的最新信息。 RecreateResponsibly.org

Mientras seguimos trabajando desde casa, colaboramos para expandir nuestros esfuerzos a través de una serie de guías multilingües de tres partes. Queremos que más gente sepa acerca del acceso a la costa, destacar algunas de nuestras ubicaciones costeras favoritas del área de Los Ángeles y compartir recursos con todos ustedes. Nuestra meta es presentar de forma resumida ciertos temas que posiblemente sean desconocidos para los miembros de nuestra comunidad, tal como en un momento lo fueron para nosotros. Tenga en cuenta que no fue posible para nosotros proveer información detallada sobre todos los temas y que, asimismo, esta no es una lista definitiva de los temas que afectan a la costa. Estas guías se crearon con fines educativos y recreativos. CNC le anima a utilizar estas guías cuando esté planificando sus propias visitas en el futuro. Nos emociona ser capaces de publicar estas guías y en este momento las estamos traduciendo al español y al chino ¡y estarán disponibles muy pronto! Si tiene alguna duda o comentario sobre estas guías, póngase en contacto con Marissa Llanes escribiendo a marissa@communitynatureconnection.org. Nos encanta aprender y desaprender , por lo tanto, si hay algún tema que quisiera que consideremos incluir en una edición o revisión futura, no sea tímido y envíenos sus comentarios. Esperamos que nos acompañe en uno de nuestros programas una vez que sea seguro reanudar los eventos en persona. Estas guías fueron financiadas y recibieron el apoyo de la Subvención Whale Tail de la Comisión Costera de California . Estamos agradecidos por su invariable compromiso con el acceso a la costa y el apoyo continuo a nuestros programas. Queremos agradecerle por su paciencia y flexibilidad durante la pandemia mientras atravesamos estos retos. Las guías se listan a continuación en orden de número de edición y son interactivas. Para acceder a la guía, pase el cursor o haga clic sobre la imagen. Asimismo, puede descargar el documento si desea hacerlo. ---- Queremos agradecerle a nuestro socios por compartir las necesidades lingüísticas de los miembros de su comunidad con nosotros. Coches A Caminos: Acceso Costero a Los Ángeles, Invierno 2021 • Número 1 • Volumen 1 Coches A Caminos: Acceso Costero a Los Ángeles, Invierno 2021 • Número 2 • Volumen 1 Coches A Caminos: Acceso Costero a Los Ángeles, Invierno 2021 • Número 3 • Volumen 1 Lo alentamos a mantenerse seguro y buscar las regulaciones a nivel del condado para obtener la información más reciente sobre quedarse en casa, cerrar negocios y formas de garantizar la seguridad de usted y sus seres queridos. RecreateResponsibly.org

While we work from home, we have expanded our endeavors through a three part series of multilingual guides in English, Spanish, and Chinese. We want to spread awareness about coastal access, highlight some of our favorite coastal sites in the Los Angeles area, and share resources with you all. Our intention is to provide a brief introduction to topics that may be new to our community members as they were once new to us. Please note that we could not expand on every topic nor is this a definitive list of topics and issues along the coast. These guides were made for educational and recreational purposes. CNC invites you to use these guides as you plan your own visits in the future. If you have any questions or feedback pertaining to these guides, please feel free to reach out to Marissa Llanes at marissa@communitynatureconnection.org. We love learning and unlearning , so if you have a topic you’d like for us to consider including in a future issue or revision, don’t be a stranger- drop us a line. We hope to see you at one of our programs when it is safe to resume in-person events again. These guides were funded and supported by the California Coastal Commission Whale Tail Grant. We are grateful for their everlong commitment to coastal access and ongoing support of our programs. Thank you for being patient and flexible with us during the pandemic as we navigate these turbulent waters. *This blog post along with the English guides were updated and shared for download on April 23, 2021.* The guides are listed below in order of issue number and are interactive. To access the guide hover or click on the image. You can also download the document if you wish. Transit to Trails L.A. Coastal Access Guide, Winter 2021 - Issue 01 - Volume 01 Download PDF: Transit to Trails L.A. Coastal Access Guide, Winter 2021 - Issue 01 - Volume 02 Download PDF: Transit to Trails L.A. Coastal Access Guide, Winter 2021 - Issue 01 - Volume 03 Download PDF: We encourage you to be safe and to search your county regulations for the latest information pertaining to stay-at-home orders, closures, and ways to keep you and your loved ones safe. Graphic created by the team at RecreateResponsibly.org

ESPAÑOL ABAJO Leave No Trace As outdoor enthusiasts, we want to be able to connect to nature when we head outside, and doing so requires respecting natural habitats while visiting. To reduce negative impacts, we would like to suggest Leave No Trace Principles as well as promote ideas that improve our diverse experiences outdoors. Have you heard of “Leave No Trace” or “LNT”? LNT refers to a set of guidelines to follow that allow humans to engage with nature in a safe way. In no way are we shaming folx who haven’t heard about these principles, we’re all learners here and our goal is to raise awareness. By leaving minimal-to-no-trace of our presence on a trail or in a park, we allow the wilderness in that place to continue their balanced existence so others can enjoy it too. We support LNT principles as a way to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources, not as a system to oppress or exclude others. The 7 Principles by LNT.org Plan ahead and prepare : Know where you’re going, what the weather will be like, what to pack, what to wear, what trails are accessible, how long it will take, elevation levels, necessary amounts of food and water...etc Walk and camp on durable ground : Stay on designated trails and camping areas. Walking off designated paths harms the land and camping outside of designated areas increases dangerous encounters with wildlife. When you must leave the trails, try to leave the least amount of impact as possible. Dispose of waste properly : Whatever you bring with you into nature, take out with you too (“pack out what you pack in”). Leaving items and trash behind causes pollution that harms animals and the natural life cycle in the wilderness. We suggest traveling with a “GO anywhere toilet kit” AKA a Wag Bag when possible. If you don’t have a waste bag but must release bodily fluids and waste, you can dig a hole away from trails, water sources, and campsites, bury your waste and take your tissue with you (you can also place this in a trash bag for travel). Don’t forget your hand sanitizer! Please keep in mind that each wilderness site has its own set of guidelines for what is permitted. Leave what you found : Avoid creating new structures of any kind (with sticks or rocks), avoid breaking off tree pieces, or carving on trees. Leave flowers, leaves, and other natural objects alone. Nature Journal what you see instead! 5. Minimize campfire impacts : Stoves are the least impactful way to cook. If you must have a fire, use existing fire rings, keep it low, and put it out completely with water using these same techniques from Smokey Bear . Important note: only buy firewood where you plan to burn it 6. Respect wildlife : Move slowly and quietly. Always observe animals from a distance. Do not scare animals or force them to flee. 7. Be considerate of other people : Greet others and be courteous of space and noise levels. If you take a dog, keep it on a leash (away from others) and clean up after it. Be anti-racist. Acknowledge Indigenous connections and history to the land you are on. If you can translate for others, use your power of language to make parks accessible to everyone! Questions for Parks’ Officials How are Leave No Trace principles communicated to park visitors?? How many trash cans exist on trails and inside parks? How often are trash cans taken out or replaced? Important Considerations: LNT and the policing that takes place around it: The Miseducation of Leave No Trace - Policing of Black and Brown Bodies in the Outdoors by Danielle Williams. Suggesting a new LNT framework that is a more collaborative, participatory, productive, democratic, and radical form of political action: Beyond Leave No Trace by Gregory Simon and Peter Alagona. Ética Al Aire Libre Para Sitios Naturales Como personas que disfrutan del aire libre, es importante que respetemos los hábitats naturales durante nuestra visita. Para reducir los impactos negativos en el medio ambiente, sugerimos los Siete Principios y promover ideas que ayuden a apoyar nuestras diversos experiencias al aire libre. ¿Han oído hablar de los " Siete Principios "?, que se refiere a los principios que permiten a todos comprometerse con la naturaleza de una manera segura y respetuosa. No estamos avergonzando a las personas que no han oído hablar de estos principios, todos estamos aprendiendo juntos y nuestro objetivo es crear conciencia. Dejando un rastro mínimo de nuestra presencia durante una caminata o en un parque, permitimos que la naturaleza continúe su existencia equilibrada para que otros puedan disfrutarla también. Siete Principios por LNT.org
Ética Al Aire Libre Para Sitios Naturales “Prepárese antes de salir de casa” : Sepa a dónde va, cómo será el clima, qué empacar, qué usar, qué caminatas son accesibles, cuánto tiempo tomará, niveles de elevación, cantidades necesarias de comida y agua. “Camine por los senderos marcados y acampe por la noche de manera adecuada/Viaje y acampe sobre superficies durables” : Caminar fuera de los senderos designados o marcados daña la tierra y acampar fuera de las áreas designadas aumenta los encuentros peligrosos con la vida silvestre. “Deseche los residuos de forma adecuada/Tire su basura en un la basura o llévela de vuelta y recoja los excrementos” : Lo que traigas contigo a la naturaleza, llévalo contigo cuando te vayas. “Déjelo tal como lo encontró/Deje lo que encuentre” : Evite crear nuevas estructuras de cualquier tipo (con palos o rocas), evite romper piezas de árboles o tallar en árboles. Deje las flores, las hojas y otros objetos naturales solos. ¡ Diario de lo que ves en su lugar ! 5. “Minimice los impactos de las fogatas/Tenga mucho cuidado con el fuego y observe siempre las medidas preventivas contra incendios” : Las estufas son la forma menos impactante de cocinar. Si debe tener un incendio, utilice fogatas existentes construidas en el parque, manténgalo bajo y póngalo completamente con agua. 6. “Permita que los animales salvajes se mantengan salvajes/Respete la vida silvestre”: Nota importante: solo compre leña en el lugar donde la quemará. La mayoría de los lugares locales del campamiento venden leña que puede quemar. 7. “Sea considerado con otros visitantes/Comparta los senderos y cuide a su mascota”: Saluda a los demás y sé cortés con el espacio y los niveles de ruido. Si tomas un perro, mantenlo con correa (lejos de los demás) y límpielo después de él. Sé antirracista. Preguntas para los trabajadores en los parques: ¿Cómo se comunican los siete principios a los visitantes del parque? ¿Cuántos botes de basura existen sobre las caminatas y dentro de los parques y con qué frecuencia se reemplazan? Consideraciones Importantes: La vigilancia de la policía alrededor de los siete principios (en inglés): The Miseducation of Leave No Trace - Policing of Black and Brown Bodies in the Outdoors por Danielle Williams. Sugerir un nuevo marco en torno a los siete principios que sea una forma de acción política más colaborativa, participativa, productiva, democrática y radical (en inglés): Beyond Leave No Trace por Gregory Simon y Peter Alagona Until Next Time,

ESPANOL ABAJO Accessing Nature in Los Angeles Academic research supports what we have long known: that nature and green spaces benefit human health and wellbeing. We recognize that the ways in which we experience and enjoy nature are as diverse as our communities in Los Angeles. We envision a world in which all people have equitable access to nature, and will continue to advocate for representation and environmental justice. In the meantime, we encourage you to access all of the green spaces that Los Angeles has to offer, via bus, train, bike, car or by foot. Read more below about the benefits of accessing nature, how legislation is changing in favor of protecting our green spaces, and ways to get out in Los Angeles! Health benefits of nature: READ: Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health READ: Nature deficit disorder WATCH: Why doctors are increasingly prescribing nature Travel USE Moovit or LA Metro Transit to get outside and find nature spaces near you that are also accessible using public transportation. HIKE the LA Trails : Our friends at LA Nature for All have created a guide for how to get to 12 of LA’s most accessible and beautiful parks, using public transportation. RIDE to Santa Monica Beach via the LA Metro Expo Line STROLL through a MRCA park PLOT your route to Griffith Park : Old Zoo & Shane’s Inspiration (approx 30 mins): Have a picnic on the grass, or walk one of the many trails in this area. From Spring/Cesar E Chavez, catch the 96 bus towards Burbank Station for 25 stops, disembarking at “Griffith Park/Park Ranger Office”. Walk west up the hill toward the Merry Go Round, and follow the path uphill to the Old Zoo. Griffith Park Vermont Entrance (approx 35 mins): There are numerous options here, such as trails to Mt Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory or Amir’s Garden. From Union Station, catch the Red Metro B Line towards North Hollywood, and disembark at Vermont/Sunset Station. Just outside the station, catch the Los Feliz/Observatory DASH bus (the DASH is only 50 cents per ride). You can ride the DASH all the way to the Observatory, or get off outside the Greek Theatre and walk from there. Plan FOLLOW along on the trail with Alltrails TAKE a trip to the LA River FIND local LA parks Prepare READ Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and Around Los Angeles: This amazing resource has easy to understand information like “101 LA Species to Know”, and suggests 24 “field trips” to natural areas, gardens and parks. Many of the parks are easily-accessible and kid-friendly, and the guide suggests what to be on the lookout for in each space. DOWNLOAD Seek by iNaturalist : Unsure of what you’re seeing in nature? Upload a photo of a particular plant, animal, funghi, spider, insect or mollusk, and find out what you’re dealing with! You’re also helping scientists understand more about our ecosystem by adding data to their database. Good job! TELL a friend: If you’re going alone, or to a new area, let a friend or loved one know where you’re going, and when you’re expected to “check in” with them. You could also share your location via an app. WATCH our videos on IGTV to learn more about how to prepare for a hike. Inform & Protect Recent legislation protecting green spaces READ about the Great American Outdoors Act READ about Protecting California’s Public Lands WATCH the Advancing Park Equity in LA Panel LEARN about Leave No Trace Principles to keep our parks safe and clean TEACH your family about Leave No Trace Principles with these fun activities and prompts, for use at home or in the outdoors. There is Bigfoot’s Playbook available for purchase, but it’s not necessary to complete the activities. For nearly 30 years, through policy development, advocacy, and innovative programming, CNC has addressed barriers to accessing the outdoors for communities of color who have been impacted by systems of oppression. Amid COVID19 restrictions, we continue to commit our work to connecting communities to nature. Follow along on our social media or sign-up for our newsletter at communitynatureconnection.org Acceso a La Naturaleza en Los Ángeles La investigación académica apoya lo que hemos conocido desde hace mucho tiempo; que la naturaleza y los espacios verdes benefician la salud y el bienestar humanos. Reconocemos que las maneras en que experimentamos y disfrutamos de la naturaleza son tan diversas como nuestras comunidades en Los Ángeles. Nosotras trabajamos hacia un mundo en el que todas las personas tengan un acceso equitativo a la naturaleza. Mientras tanto, le animamos a acceder a todos los espacios verdes que Los Ángeles tiene para ofrecer, a través de autobús, tren, bicicleta, coche o a pie. Lea más abajo sobre los beneficios de acceder a la naturaleza, cómo la legislación está cambiando a favor de la protección de nuestros espacios verdes, y formas de salir en Los Ángeles! Beneficios para la salud de la naturaleza (en inglés pero puedes usar este enlace para traducir información escrita): Leer: Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health Leer: Nature deficit disorder Ver: Why doctors are increasingly prescribing nature Viajar Utilice Moovit o LA Metro Transit para salir y encontrar espacios naturales cerca de usted que también son accesibles utilizando el transporte público. Nuestros amigos en "LA Nature for All" han creado una guía para cómo llegar a 12 de los parques más accesibles y hermosos de Los Ángeles, utilizando el transporte público. ( en inglés ): HIKE the LA Trials Viaje a Santa Mónica (en inglés) desde la línea LA Metro Expo. Viaje a Griffith Park (en inglés) El antiguo zoológico y la inspiración de Shane (aproximadamente 30 minutos): haga un picnic en el césped o camine por uno de los muchos senderos de esta área. Desde Spring / Cesar E Chavez, tome el autobús 96 hacia la estación de Burbank durante 25 paradas y desembarque en la "Oficina Griffith Park / Park Ranger". Camina hacia el oeste por la colina hacia Merry Go Round y sigue el camino cuesta arriba hacia el viejo zoológico. Entrada a Griffith Park Vermont (aproximadamente 35 minutos): hay numerosas opciones aquí, como senderos hacia Mt Hollywood, el Observatorio Griffith o el Jardín de Amir. Desde Union Station, tome la línea roja del Metro B hacia North Hollywood y desembarque en Vermont / Sunset Station. Justo afuera de la estación, tome el autobús DASH de Los Feliz / Observatory (el DASH cuesta solo 50 centavos por viaje). Puede montar el DASH hasta el Observatorio, o bajarse del Teatro Griego y caminar desde allí. El Plan SIGUE por el camino con Alltrails (Dondequiera que esté, encuentre rápidamente la caminata, bicicleta, paseo, o pista perfecta corrida por longitud, clasificación, y nivel difícil.) TOMA un viaje al río de Los Ángeles (en inglés) ENCUENTRA parques locales de Los Ángeles (en inglés) Preparar Leer: (en inglés) WILD LA: Explora la increíble naturaleza en Los Ángeles y sus alrededores: Este increíble libro tiene información fácil de entender sobre áreas naturales, como jardines y parques. Muchos de los parques son de fácil acceso y para los niños también, y el libro también menciona la vida silvestre que puedes encontrar en estos espacios verdes. Descargar Seek por iNaturalist : ¿No estás seguro de lo que estás viendo en la naturaleza? ¡Sube una foto de una planta en particular, un animal, un funghi, una araña, un insecto o un molusco y averigua con qué te enfrentas! También está ayudando a los científicos a comprender mejor nuestro ecosistema añadiendo datos a su base de datos. ¡Buen trabajo! DILE a un amigo: Si vas solo, o a una nueva área, deja que un amigo o ser querido sepa a dónde vas y cuándo se espera que te "registres" con ellos. También puede compartir su ubicación a través de una aplicación. Vea nuestros videos sobre IGTV para obtener más información sobre cómo prepararse para una caminata. Informar y Proteger Legislación reciente que protege los espacios verdes (en inglés) LEA sobre “the Great American Outdoors Act (en inglés ) LEA sobre “Protecting California’s Public Lands” CONOZCA los 6 principios para mantener nuestros parques seguros y limpios Durante casi 30 años, a través del desarrollo de políticas, la promoción y la programación innovadora, CNC ha abordado las barreras para acceder al aire libre para las comunidades de color que han sido afectadas por los sistemas de opresión. En medio de las restricciones de COVID19, continuamos comprometiendo nuestro trabajo para conectar las comunidades con la naturaleza. Siga nuestras redes sociales o suscríbase a nuestro boletín en communitynatureconnection.org

We recognize that our mission towards outdoor equity is far from being realized when Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are not concerned about merely accessing a public park or recreating in the outdoors, but rather if the environment is safe at all. When a member of the Black community cannot peacefully birdwatch in a public park, jog around their neighborhood, or feel comfortable in a national park we are reminded that we have a lot of work to do with partner agencies staffing parks to ensure the safety and humanity of BIPOC is protected when outdoors. We are reminded of the importance in partnering with the communities we serve in the fight for outdoor equity. Reconocemos que nuestra misión hacia la justicia social para el aire libre está lejos de realizarse cuando las Personas Negras, Indígenas y Personas de Color no están preocupados por el simple acceso a un parque público o la recreación al aire libre sino más bien si el medio ambiente es seguro. Cuando un miembro de la comunidad negra no puede observar pacíficamente aves en un parque público, correr alrededor de su vecindario, o sentirse cómodo en un parque nacional, se nos recuerda que tenemos mucho trabajo que hacer en asociación con las comunidades a las que servimos para garantizar que su seguridad y la humanidad esté protegida cuando está al aire libre. It is important to stay informed about how BIPOC communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and be able to connect the dots between race and the environment. It has become increasingly essential for outdoor and environmental organizations to understand the intersection of race and the environment and to highlight BIPOC issues and their representation outdoors. As a response to the long standing racial tensions in the United States, it is our responsibility to be more intentional; to celebrate, uplift, and amplify BIPOC experiences, history, knowledge, and presence in our natural environment.  Es importante estar informado sobre cómo las comunidades Negra, Indígena y Personas de Color son desproporcionadamente impactadas por la degradación ambiental y ser capaces de conectar los puntos entre la raza y el medio ambiente. Se ha vuelto cada vez más esencial para las organizaciones al aire libre y ambientales entender la intersección de la raza y el medio ambiente y destacar los problemas las Personas Negras, Indígenas y Personas de Color y su representación al aire libre. Como respuesta a las tensiones raciales de larga data en los Estados Unidos, es nuestra responsabilidad ser más intencionales; celebrar, elevar y ampliar las experiencias, la historia, el conocimiento y la presencia comunidades Negra, Indígena y Personas de Color en nuestro ambiente natural. (Graphic from https://www.intersectionalenvironmentalist.com/ ) ““We should recognize that systemic racism exists on both the streets of our cities and inside our national parks. We have to see full representation at every level in the environmental sector, and we need power structures to shift so that black and brown people are shaping policies and our national conversations. We need predominantly white environmental organizations and academic institutions to be more concerned with how the climate crisis disproportionately impacts black and brown people and give more resources to these communities.”” -Carolyn Finney (Read further: The Perils of Being Black in Public: We are All Christian Cooper and George Floyd ) “ “Debemos reconocer que el racismo sistémico existe tanto en las calles de nuestras ciudades como dentro de nuestros parques nacionales. Tenemos que ver una representación completa en todos los niveles en el sector ambiental, y necesitamos que las estructuras de poder cambien para que las personas negras y morenos estén dando forma a las políticas y nuestras conversaciones nacionales.”” (Graphic from https://www.intersectionalenvironmentalist.com/ ) Leah Thomas ( @greengirlleah ), Diandra Esparza (@diandramarizet) and Sabs Katz ( @sustainablesabs ) have created a platform for Intersectional Environmentalism . This page highlights history and provides useful information and tools to understand how different communities have been impacted by environmental racism: Black Community Latinx Community US Indigenous Community General Resources & Petitions Leah Thomas ( @greengirlleah ), Diandra Esparza (@diandramarizet) and Sabs Katz ( @sustainablesabs ) han creado una plataforma para Intersectional Environmentalism . Esta página destaca la historia y proporciona información para entender cómo diferentes comunidades se han visto afectadas por el racismo ambiental:  Comunidad Negra Comunidad Latinx  Comunidad Indígena de los Estados Unidos Recursos Generales & Peticiones Listen Green Dreamer Podcast EP 198 with Angelou Ezeilo ( @angelouezeilo ), Founder and CEO of Greening Youth Foundation ( @greeningyouth ), an organization that connects underrepresented youth and young adults to the outdoors and careers in conservation. Short Wave Podcast EP #BlackBirdersWeek Seeks To Make The Great Outdoors Open To All with co-founder Chelsea Connor who talks about how Black birders are changing the narrative around who gets to enjoy nature and the challenges Black birders face. She Explores Podcast EP 153 Embracing Intersectional Environmentalism with Leah Thomas and Kristy Drutman ( @browngirl_green )  The Yikes Podcast by Mikaela Loach ( @mikaelaloach ) and Jo Becker ( @treesnpeace ), tackles climate change, racism, human rights and how they intersect. Read Hands on the land, heart in community: Returning cultural fires by Deniss Martinez Racism is Killing the Planet by Hop Hopkins ( @hop1972 ) The Difference Between 'Food Swamp' and 'Food Desert' and Other Things You Should Know About Food Access by Kara Young ( @karaayoung ) Making it Easier to Breathe by Asiha A jani The Forgotten History Of 'Violent Displacement' That Helped Create The National Parks by Julian Brave NoiseCat ( @jnoisecat ) Read Up on the Links Between Racism and the Environment By Somini Sengupta Green2.0 Watch Tending the Wild by KCET: Traditional knowledge for custodianship of the land. Cancer Alley: Learn about how pollution disproportionately impacts Black communities, due to placement of plants and factories in and near Black neighborhoods. Why This Town Is Dying From Cancer | AJ+ Van Jones TedTalk about Environmental Justice After racist park encounter, Chris Cooper takes us birding in Central Park #BlackWomenWhoBird - Virtual Bird Watching at the Monterey Bay Aquarium DiversifyOutdoors “We can start by accepting that there is an insidious catalogue of systemic barriers that categorically excludes black people and most urban people of color and hinders access to outdoor recreation. This system/cycle creates an “inbred” outdoor pedigree - a family history, identity and network of friends and access points to the outdoors - that funnels white folks into outdoor recreation and ultimately into 85 percent of the environmental/ conservation jobs - coveted jobs that are desperately needed and virtually unknown in many urban communities of color. This cycle must be broken and not by the impotent and feckless approach of inviting “others'' to the table. The entire table needs to be demolished and rebuilt via a collaborative effort by those who have historically been absent and those who have traditionally sat at the table. What else can we do to break the cycle?” -Charles Thomas (Read further “Our Past is check out our Our Present and Our “Statements” Will Make it Our Future” ) For more information about organizations actively working to diversify the outdoors as well as more books to read, check out our Outdoor Equity blog below: Para obtener más información sobre las organizaciones que trabajan activamente para diversificar el aire libre, así como más libros para leer, echa un vistazo a nuestro blog de inclusividad al aire libre abajo:  https://www.communitynatureconnection.org/post/outdoor-equity Onward,

ESPAÑOL ABAJO Video: 7,000 Kinds of Amphibians (Pre-K - 2nd Grade) This doesn’t explicitly cover adaptations, but can open the door to a conversation about how different species have evolved or adapted to their environment. You'll definitely feel the amphibian love after watching (and singing along with) this cute music video. Invent an Insect (3rd - 5th Grade) Have students study some insects of their own choosing, encouraging them to make inferences about what function some of their adaptations might serve. Then use the provided worksheet to have students invent their own insect. What adaptations does it have to survive? Animal & Plant Adaptations | Science Lesson For Kids (3rd - 5th Grade) Generation Genius has made their interactive NGSS-aligned lessons free until 08/31 (you’ll still need to create an account). These lessons include teacher materials, quizzes, videos, glossaries and discussion or writing prompts. Some of the lessons also include DIY activities for students to complete at home.  Skype a Ranger from Joshua Tree NP (3rd Grade - HS) Invite a Ranger into your virtual classroom to teach students about animal and plant adaptations in Joshua Tree National Park. Sessions need to be reserved in advance. PORTS (All ages) California State Parks have numerous sessions that address animal and plant adaptations. The live Zoom sessions can be joined (they release their topics about a week ahead) or you can see the previous sessions . Here are some examples of past sessions about adaptations on their youtube channel: - Tidepool Animal Adaptations at Crystal Cove State Beach (K-2) - Desert Animal Adaptations in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (K-2) - All Ages Mac Kerricher State Park- MPA Monday Designer Ears: Biology & Perception Science Activity (K - 5th Grade) This activity has students consider how ears help us perceive information, and how the shape of ears can lead to a different sensory experience. Younger students will need help with the instructions of the task, but 3rd - 5th graders should be able to do the activity independently.  Eat Like a Bird (K - 5th Grade) A practical experiment activity that has students question how and why birds have beaks in different shapes. Younger students will need help understanding the instructions, and older students may need extra questions such as,  Using examples, what is an adaptation? Research a native bird. Explain why their beak is shaped the way it is. How do you think birds developed differently shaped beaks? Why do frogs say "ribbit"? (1st - 2nd Grade) Students question and create in this interactive lesson about the sounds that animals make. It includes videos, questions, interactive activities and crafts, as well as a transcript of the videos. Imagine Adaptation: Physical Characteristics of Birds (2nd - Middle School) Students who are independently reading can self-guide this lesson that encourages them to consider physical characteristics of native birds, and how they have evolved. The activity and learning can be done with multiple students if you have siblings that would like to work together, too. Aquarium Live: The Aquarium's Online Academy (Pre-K - High School) The Aquarium of the Pacific has daily live lessons aimed at different age brackets: Pre-K , K-2nd , 3rd-5th , 6th-8th , & 9th-12th . Students can tune in to learn about the animals, habitats, and their adaptations. The lessons are recorded and can be accessed after the session. Comer Como un Pájaro (Kinder - 5 ⁰ grado) Una práctica actividad de experimento que hace que los estudiantes se pregunten cómo y por qué las aves tienen picos en diferentes formas. Los estudiantes más jóvenes necesitarán ayuda para entender las instrucciones, y los estudiantes mayores pueden necesitar preguntas Utilizando ejemplos, ¿qué es una adaptación? Investigar un pájaro nativo. Explique por qué su pico tiene la forma en que está. ¿Cómo crees que las aves desarrollaron picos de forma diferente? Adaptaciones al Ambiente (3 ⁰ grado - Secundaria)  Muestre a sus estudiantes este video para que empiecen a conocer la diferencia en las adaptaciones de los animales en el agua y en la tierra. Curiosas Adaptaciones de Animales (5 ⁰ grado - Secundaria)  Muestre a sus estudiantes este video para continuar ampliando su conocimiento sobre adaptaciones de animales únicas con explicaciones más detalladas sobre por qué los animales tienen partes específicas del cuerpo. Hotel Para Bichos (3 ⁰ grado - Secundaria) Desde casa, puedes crear un "Hotel Para Bichos", elaborado por el Natural History Museum, hecho de materiales de reciclaje que invitarán a diferentes bichos. Preguntas que puedes hacer sobre las adaptaciones de los insectos que ves:  ¿De qué color es el insecto que ves?  ¿El insecto tiene camuflaje con el color de las plantas o la suciedad?  ¿Qué crees que comen? ¿Cuántas patas tiene? ¿tiene alas? Recoge Y Observa Bichos en Casa (5 ⁰ grado - Secundaria)  Desde casa, puedes aprende a crear un colector de insectos a hecho de materiales que puedes encontrar en casa, elaborado por el Natural History Museum. Preguntas que puedes hacer sobre las adaptaciones de los insectos que ves:  ¿De qué color es el insecto que ves?  ¿El insecto tiene camuflaje con el color de las plantas o la suciedad?  ¿Qué crees que comen? ¿Cuántas patas tiene? ¿tiene alas? #SAFERATHOME XOXO,

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in an outdoor setting Making the outdoors more accessible for everyone takes deliberate and intentional action. Many barriers exist that disproportionately impact historically marginalized communities from the benefits of experiencing nature. These barriers include physical barriers such as distance to a park or beach along with lack of transportation; ADA accessibility and; a lack of proper equipment to safely bike, climb, or camp. Barriers to accessing the outdoors also include more obscure ones like a lack of representation in park staff or visitorship and consequently a general feeling of not belonging, as well as a lack of familiarity with trails or access points. These barriers not only prevent low-income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities and people with disabilities from experiencing the outdoors, they also prevent access to interpretive programs and workforce in the outdoors, continuing the cycle of a lack of representation.  Take a look at the work that’s being done in and around our communities to increase access to the benefits of nature for ALL and learn how you can get involved! The Avarna Group envisions a more resilient and connected world where all humans sustain healthy relationships with ourselves, one another, and our planet. We manifest this vision by creating pathways, providing resources, and innovating strategies that support the outdoor and environmental sector in their evolution toward justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (collectively, JEDI). Specifically, we provide this sector and its leaders with learning experiences, assessments, implementation planning, mentorship and coaching, intentional convenings, and resources. Learn more about our approach and values here . Jose Gonzalez presents Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Keywords & More BEETLES Project - Examining Equitable and Inclusive Work Environments in Environmental Education: Perspectives from the Field and Implications for Organizations - “By presenting these findings, we hope to increase the degree to which organization leaders and white-identifying staff can begin to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of educators of color and can reconcile the ways in which they have been thinking about and operationalizing equity and inclusion in their organizations.” BEETLES Project - Intentional Hiring and Recruitment through the Lens of Equity and Inclusion: Insights and Lessons Learned from Crissy Field Center, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy  - “This finding resonates with researchers who continue to challenge organizations to be reflective in their hiring practices and to always consider how their practices may be deterring potential applicants, marginalizing current staff of color, and reinforcing the status quo (Roberts & Chitewere, 2011; Beasley, 2016; Taylor, 2018).” This Is What Adventure Looks Like - Outside magazine interviews activists and athletes about their experiences as people of color leading a movement to make the outdoors more accessible to all people. Fun fact: Community Nature Connection is included in this article! Connecting Latino Communities with Nature in the Age of COVID-19 This webinar was presented by Corazón Latino , in partnership with the North American Association for Environmental Education . It’s a useful resource for learning about how programming needs to be adapted to be inclusive and welcoming. REI Presents: The Venture Out Project - This video highlights the work of Venture Out Project who aim to bring together LGBTQIA+ folks in the wilderness. They also offer Ally Resources and Ally Programs to educate and inform organizations. Creating and Supporting Culturally Relevant Organizational Change - Check out this webinar presented by Rena Payan of Youth Outside. Learn about the series and take away tips and tools to move your organization toward a commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural relevancy. StoryBus Podcast: Episode 1 - Being Black Outdoors. The StoryBus podcast shares stories of inclusion and workplace equity that are shared to inspire inclusivity in the outdoors and in the workplaces of the active-outdoor industries.  Outside Voices Podcast is a podcast featuring personal stories from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ folks and others who redefine “outdoorsy”. We’re co-creating stories with outdoor enthusiasts, educators, storytellers, activists, social media influencers, artists and more. Outside Voices Podcast is driven by one simple idea: that the outdoors belongs to all of us. We all have a relationship to nature, whether through hiking, gardening, surfing, sacred ceremony or picnicking at the local park. We aim to celebrate and amplify those who don’t always see themselves reflected in the “Great Outdoors” narrative She Explores Podcast: Episode 16 - Towards A More Inclusive Outdoors & What We Can Do. In the second part of a series on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, hosts talk with experts to provide practical steps for how organizations AND individuals can cultivate a more inclusive outdoor space. There are other episodes produced by this podcast that revolve around JEDI. Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Read their most recent, “The Good Fight for our Humanity, Mother Earth and our Uni-verse” blog here . Latino Outdoors works to inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented. They recently shared a collaborative guide highlighting the inequity of “whiteness in the outdoors”- you can find it on their instagram page here .  Brown Girls Climb is a small Women of Color owned and operated company with the mission to promote and increase visibility of diversity in climbing by establishing a community of climbers of color, encouraging leadership opportunities for self-identified women climbers of color, and by creating inclusive opportunities to climb and explore for underrepresented communities. PGM ONE envisions a world that centers, values, uplifts, and empowers those who are most impacted by environmental harm and climate change—and in particular black, indigenous, and people of color/of the global majority—to lead the way toward environmental justice and collective liberation. Get Out Stay Out/Vamos Afuera is a grassroots, Central Coast nonprofit, that invites Indigenous Migrant youth to run, play, and discover themselves in the natural environment.  LGBTQ Outdoor Summit takes place in the Fall. Their mission is to cultivate connections, build community and inspire leaders from across the outdoor industry and beyond to create more accessible and affirming ways for the LGBTQ community to get OUTside.  Engage, Connect , Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth as Environmental Leaders - Angelou Ezeilo The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors - James Edward Mills Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants - Kimmerer, Robin Wall The Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection - Dorceta Taylor Colors of Nature - Alison Hawthorne Deming and Lauret E. Savoy Black and Brown Faces of America’s Wild Places - Dudley Edmondson Latinx Environmentalisms: Place, Justice, and the Decolonial - Edited by Sarah D. Wald, David J. Vázquez, Priscilla Solis Ybarra, and Sarah Jaquette Ray Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors - Carolyn Finney Mexican Americans & the Environment - Devon G Pena Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community - Larry Yang Environmentalism & Economic Justice - Laura Pulido Chicano Culture, Ecology, Politics: Subversive Kin - Edited by Devon G. Peña Joyful Militancy: Building Thriving Resistance in Toxic Times - Carla Bergman and Nick Montgomery La otra historia de los estados unidos / A People's History of the United States: Desde 1492 Hasta Hoy / 1492 to Present (Spanish Edition) - Howard Zinn A People's History of the United States: Abridged Teaching Edition (New Press People's History) - Howard Zinn So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma  Oluo Latino Urbanism: The Politics of Planning, Policy and Redevelopment - Diaz, David R. Legacy on the Land - Audrey Peterman Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry - Camille T. Dungy Black on Earth: African American Ecoliterary Traditions - Kimberly Ruffin White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism - Robin DiAngelo Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race - Beverly Daniel Tatum African American Environmental Thought: Foundations (American Political Thought) - Kimberly K. Smith The Colors of Nature: Culture, Identity, and the Natural World - Alison Hawthorne Deming  Rooted in the Earth: Reclaiming the African American Environmental Heritage - Dianne D. Glave #SAFERATHOME XOXO,

ESPAÑOL ABAJO HOW DO ANIMALS HELP THEIR OFFSPRING SURVIVE? How Animals Care for Their Young (Pre-K - 2nd Grade) PBS has designed plenty of interactive resources for virtual learning, with videos, support materials and curriculum links. You will need to create a free account, but you’ll be able to access lots of materials. Another great one to learn about animals and their offspring is: Animal Families | Everyday Learning . Animals Help Their Babies Survive (K - 2nd Grade) Generation Genius has made their interactive NGSS-aligned lessons free until 08/31 (but you’ll still need to create an account). These lessons include teacher materials, quizzes, videos, glossaries and discussion or writing prompts. Some of the lessons also include DIY activities for students to complete at home. LA Zoo - Virtual Field Trips (K - 5th Grade) The LA Zoo has put together a great virtual field trip to learn about their animals, as well as how to build scientific skills like making observations, and asking questions. It includes some very cute zoo babies, too! Also available in Spanish. También disponible en español Meet LA Zoo’s Babies (Pre-K - 2nd Grade) A short video to introduce how different zoo animals parent their offspring, with help from the babies that have been born at the Los Angeles Zoo recently. There is a beautiful book of Coloring Pages to keep little ones busy and creative, too Why do baby animals look so cute? (Pre-K - 1st Grade) Educational videos that investigate questions from students. They encourage students to make observations and ask questions (no matter how seemingly frivolous). Storyline Online (Pre-K - 1st Grade) This sweet story about a raccoon Mom and baby helps little ones deal with anxiety, while also helping them consider how parents or guardians help keep their offspring safe and loved. Observation & Play Activity (Pre-K - 2nd Grade) You can adapt this play-inspired activity from Tinkergarten based on your home space. Firstly, have your little ones observe a bird and their offspring using the following webcams: Barred Owls , Decorah Eagles or California Condors . Then, encourage them to build their own nest and play with stuffed toys or animals that they have created. Encourage them to think about how they would keep their babies fed, warm, and safe from predators. Students can either create using natural materials or household bits and pieces (pillows, recyclables, boxes, old blankets or sheets.  For a similar hands-on learning activity, use the Eggs & Nests DIY from Mohonk Preserve’s Nature Nuggets Series , who have created a lot of great nature-based activities that include numeracy and literacy links. Observation Activity (3rd Grade - Middle School) Have students observe a bird and their offspring using the following webcams: Barred Owls , Decorah Eagles or California Condors . If possible, have students check in with their chosen bird over the course of a week in 10 minute increments to make multiple observations. You can use the “I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of” format for encouraging observations, or leave it up to students. Encourage students to consider the wider question: “What does the parent do to help its offspring survive?” Design your own bird egg (3rd Grade - Middle School) Examine beautiful and diverse bird eggs here . Investigate why bird’s eggs are different colors, patterns and shapes. Have students pick a habitat, and design their own bird egg while considering and answering the following questions: Which predators do you need to protect your egg from? How does the design help protect the egg? How will the parent have to look after the egg? What are the disadvantages of your design? Are there any other ways that you could protect the egg (Nest design, location etc)? Compare Animals’ Offspring-Rearing Techniques (3rd Grade - Middle School) Using Nat Geographic Kids’ Animal Bios (3rd-5th) or iNaturalist (MS), have students compare 3 different animals, and their techniques for raising their offspring. You could have students present the info as a chart, graph, poster or infographic. An example in Los Angeles could be the Mountain Lion, Southern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Mule Deer. Some questions to consider could be: How long do the offspring stay with their parents? How does the parent help the offspring survive? How does this help their chances of survival? San Diego Zoo Global Academy (Middle & High School) San Diego Zoo has released access to their Animal Species and Conservation online learning modules. They are only open to students aged 13 and up, as well as teachers.  Actividad de Observación y Juego (Pre-escolar - 2 ⁰ grado) Puedes adaptar esta actividad inspirada en el juego de "Tinkergarten " en función de tu espacio en casa. En primer lugar, haga que sus pequeños observen un pájaro y su descendencia usando las siguientes cámaras web: Búho Barrado  Aguila Cabeza Blanca Cóndor Californiano  Luego, anímalos a construir su propio nido y jugar con juguetes de peluche o animales que hayan creado. Anímalos a pensar en cómo mantendrían a sus bebés alimentados, calientes y a salvo de los depredadores. Los estudiantes pueden crear utilizando materiales naturales o trozos y piezas domésticas (almohadas, reciclables, cajas, mantas viejas o sábanas. Para una actividad de aprendizaje práctica similar, utilice el " Huevos y Nido Bricolaje " de " Mohonk Conserva Naturaleza Nuggets Serie ", que han creado una gran cantidad de grandes actividades basadas en la naturaleza que incluyen enlaces de aritmética y literatura. El Zoológico de Los Angeles - Viajes de Estudios Virtuales (Kinder - 5 ⁰ grado) El Zoológico de Los Angeles ha reunido una gran excursión virtual para aprender sobre sus animales. Puede ayudar a desarrollar habilidades científicas como hacer observaciones y hacer preguntas. Está en español e inglés. Actividad de Observación (3 ⁰ grado - Secundaria)  Haga que los estudiantes observen un pájaro y sus crías usando las siguientes cámaras web: Búho Barrado  Aguila Cabeza Blanca Cóndor Californiano  Si es posible, haga que los estudiantes se registre con el pájaro elegido durante el transcurso de una semana en incrementos de 10 minutos para hacer múltiples observaciones. Puede utilizar el formato " Me doy cuenta, me pregunto, me recuerda " para animar las observaciones, o dejarlo en manos de los estudiantes. Anime a los estudiantes a considerar la pregunta más amplia: “ ¿Qué hace el padre para ayudar a sus hijos a sobrevivir? ” Diseña tu Propio Huevo de Pájaro (3 ⁰ grado - Secundaria)  Examine hermosos y diversos huevos de aves aquí . Investigar por qué los huevos de pájaros   son diferentes colores, patrones y formas. Haga que los estudiantes escogen un hábitat y diseñen su propio huevo de pájaro mientras consideran y responden las siguientes preguntas: ¿De qué depredadores necesitas proteger tu huevo? ¿Cómo ayuda el diseño a proteger el huevo? ¿Cómo tendrá el padre que cuidar el huevo? ¿Cuáles son las desventajas de su diseño? ¿Hay otras formas de proteger el huevo? Video Sobre Huevos Unicos: (3 ⁰ grado - Secundaria)  Anime a los estudiantes a considerar las preguntas después de ver el video sobre huevos únicos: ¿qué huevo encontró uniqo y por qué, de qué color es?  ¿De qué tipo de especie viene el huevo? ¿en qué se diferencian estos huevos de los que se ven regularmente? Videos educativos y enteranos (Pre-escolar - 5 ⁰ grado) “ Momentos cariñosos entre animales y sus crías ” “ Nombre de las Crías de Los Animales ” “ Mamá Puma y 4 cachorros ” Artículos que pueden ayudar a los maestros y maestras a enseñar sobre los animales y sus estudiantes (1 ⁰ grado - 5⁰ grado) “Estos bebés animales crecen sin ayuda de sus progenitores” Madres delfines forman "guarderías" para proteger a sus crías Dibujos para colorear (Pre-escolar - 2 ⁰ grado) Hermoso libro de páginas de animales y sus crías para colorear para mantener a sus pequeños ocupados y creativos.  #SAFERATHOME XOXO,

One way to care for ourselves during this time and stay connected to the natural world is to eat seasonally. Eating seasonally essentially means buying and cooking foods that have been grown and harvested within the same season. And if you are picturing the endless pumpkin spice products you find at Trader Joe's every autumn, you are not wrong. But eating seasonally is more than buying themed products, it is the way our ancestors ate, and it is what connected their environments to. In the fall, acorns, root vegetables, and other starchy foods sustain our bodies, while leafy greens and seeds in the springtime give us energy. Similarly, fruits and berries give us sugar, vitamin c, and antioxidants in the summer. For many of us, time doesn't seem to pass quite the same in quarantine, but staying in tune with the changing seasons and connecting to the foods that are ripening now is a great way to enjoy what this time of year has to offer. This is a great opportunity to start paying attention to the food we buy and where we buy it. You can start integrating seasonal items into your grocery list by checking out your local farmers market, food co-op , or support a local farm by signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project . Find a Certified Farmers' Market near you . You can also try growing your own produce in a small garden. By taking steps to eat seasonally available products, you can receive the highest nutritional value from your food, while supporting local farmers, and reducing your carbon footprint. It will also taste much better! Ultimately, mending these connections to our food source will allow us to pay more attention to the cycles of earth and appreciate her seasonal bounty! Want to learn how to incorporate native species to your diet? Check out the upcoming CNC TI course: Eating California! Using Native Plants in your Diet and Garden on June 4th. This one of a kind presentation led by native food enthusiast Antonio Sanchez, discusses the ancient and re-emerging field of California native foods and their cultivation. Register for the online event: https://www.communitynatureconnection.org/event-details/eating-california-using-native-plants-in-your-diet-and-garden To learn more about cooking with Native food, you can purchase: Cooking the Native Way by The Chia Cafe Collective For inspiration on new plant-based mexican style recipes, you can purchase: La Vida Verde by Jocelyn Ramirez , chef and founder of Todo Verde.  Decolonizing the Diet features members of the Chia Cafe Collective who work in Southern California to revive Native food practices and raise awareness about the precariousness of these important cultural resources. Decolonizing Cuisine with Mak-’amham to see how Ohlone chefs are revitalizing Ohlone language, food practices and adapting them for a modernist palette. A cooling summertime water infusion recipe:  Sparkling Water Strawberries Lemon Balm Mint Chia seeds #SAFERATHOME XOXO,

ESPAÑOL ABAJO "Knowledge Drops" Interactive Science Education Series (aimed at 3rd-8th grade) Heal the Bay are hosting live webinars for students to explore water-themed topics like tide pools, the sewage system, and coastal birds. All of the webinars are recorded and then added to the site for later viewing. Each webinar also has a list of resources (videos, PDFs, web pages etc) that students can access to boost their learning. Activity Guide: Ocean Heroes (2nd - 8th Grade) The Dept of Beaches & Harbors and Heal the Bay created this activity guide to prompt learning about watersheds, pollution and conservation. It will require a printer if your students would like to fill in. Also available in Spanish . Tree People’s Lessons & Activities: Water (Pre-K - High School) Tree People have developed quick daily home activities for Pre-K to adults. They include songs, activities, experiments and videos. Some of the activities are also available in Spanish. Water for LA: LA is Thirsty (Middle - High School) A good resource for independent student research, suitable for Middle & High School students. It focuses on where LA’s water comes from, and why water is so integral to the planning and development of Los Angeles County. It features some neat infographics and maps that help visual learners understand the key ideas. Also available in Spanish . Friends of the LA River Curriculum for Families (2nd grade - High School) Our friends at FoLAR have shared their in-class curriculum for educators and families. Usually these resources would be given to teachers before a visit from the LA River Rover, but now families can access these materials to learn about the LA River from home. For further materials and information, click see the full FOLAR LA River Curriculum . Aquarium of the Pacific Teacher Resources | Ocean Habitats (K - 2nd Grade) Utilizing the webcams at the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Aquarium of the Pacific has built lessons that can be completed from home. Students this young will need some support with the tech aspects, but can engage in the learning independently. There are also more Aquarium Webcam Resource Kits for K-8th grade.  Aquarium Live: The Aquarium's Online Academy (Pre-K - High School) The Aquarium of the Pacific has daily live lessons aimed at different age brackets: Pre-K , K-2nd , 3rd-5th , 6th-8th , & 9th-12th . Students can tune in to learn about the animals, habitats, water, and how the aquarium manages the water quality. Their coloring pages are also great if your kids are in need of some down time. Our Water Future | Sustainability Series (High School) The Aquarium of the Pacific and PBS have partnered to create some videos about the specific water challenges California faces as a drought state. Cornucopia (Middle School) A neat environmental simulation game produced by the California Academy of Sciences about food systems and how much water is required for farming. There is a teacher’s guide to link the game to NGSS, and to encourage further learning. Healthy Oceans | Flipside Science (Middle - High School) Videos and Guides to learn about sustainability, coral reefs, climate change and plastic pollution. There are classroom activity guides that can be adapted for home, or the videos and questions can be set as independent work. The Deep Sea (4th Grade - Adults) Creative coder Neal Agarwal has created some interactive online learning tools for while we’re learning at home. This one helps us understand how deep the ocean is, and what life we can find at varying depths. Tools & Resources | Council for Watershed Health (Middle - High School) The Watershed Connections Activity Book is suitable for 8th-12th grade. Although students might not be able to do the testing during the Safer At Home Measures, they can engage with the materials. There are some lesson plans in the Drive that can be adapted for home, as well. Grassroots Ecology Watershed Warriors (3rd-5th Grade) This work along activity is a fantastic resource for teachers, parents and students to learn about watersheds. The locational data is focused on the Bay Area, but the information is very valid, and the learning objectives are the same. It may require a little prep to get students on their way at home, but once they’re set up, much of the work can be independent. The links to videos and resources allow students to chip away at the unit of work in their own time. Here are some similar resources from Grassroots .  Guía de Actividades: Los Héroes Oceánicos (Segundo grado/ 2⁰ grado - Octavo Grado /8⁰ grado ) El Departamento de Playas y Puertos y "Heal the Bay" crearon esta guía de actividades para aprender sobre cuencas hidrográficas, contaminación y conservación. Se requerirá una impresora si sus alumnos desean completar la actividad. También disponible en inglés . Este video explica a su estudiante acerca de lo que es una cuenca hidrográfica y cómo se conecta con nuestro ecosistema. ¿Qué es una cuenca? Los Ángeles Tiene Sed | Agua Para LA   (Secundaria - Preparatoria) Un buen recurso para la investigación de estudiantes independientes, adecuado para estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria. Se centra en de dónde proviene el agua de Los Angeles y por qué el agua es tan integral para la planificación y el desarrollo del condado de Los Angeles. Cuenta con algunas infografías y mapas ordenados que ayudan a los estudiantes visuales a entender las ideas clave.  También disponible en inglés . Tree People’s Lecciones y Actividades: Agua (Pre-scholar - Preparatoria) “Tree People” ha desarrollado actividades en casa para Pre-K y para adultos. Incluyen canciones, actividades, experimentos y videos.  Until next week! Take care #saferathome XOXO,

Are you interested in working at local, state, or national parks? While you’re #SaferAtHome, now is a great time to learn about the process and plan your pathway to a career in the parks! Tuesday, May 12 from 1-2pm | How to Get a Job at California State Parks - An Overview Tuesday, May 19 from 1-2pm | CalCareers and State Hiring Exams - Navigating CalCareers and Registering For Exams Tuesday, May 26 from 1-2pm | Ask a California State Park Ranger - FAQ Community Nature Connection recruits new volunteer naturalists for our William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom programs in Franklin Canyon Park. Due to COVID-19, our Spring training has been postponed. However, please stay tuned for our Summer training dates to come; we are preparing to offer online training if needed so we can meet schools' needs in the Fall. For more information, contact: WODOC@communitynatureconnection.org Angeles National Forest Volunteers give interpretive talks, conduct artist workshops, staff fire lookouts, work with school groups, monitor endemic species, revegetate burned areas, pick up litter, build trails, rove wilderness, study stream conditions, provide information at visitor centers, and so much more.  Volunteer.gov presents a variety of opportunities to get to know public land with different state agencies across the U.S.!
The Community Nature Connection Restoration program works in partnership with the National Park Service to provide a year-long internship for ages 18 to 26 that focuses on habitat and ecological restoration. After completion of a minimum of 640 hours, interns are eligible for non-competitive hiring by federal land management agencies. Recruitment for the 2021 cohort will commence in fall 2020. For more information, contact: Annakaren@communitynatureconnection.org Los Angeles Conservation Corps is an environmentally focused youth development organization that works with youth from disadvantaged communities. Through work projects, they improve the quality of life for their communities and protect the environment for future generations. Stewards Americorps Programs serve with land-management agencies and organizations in direct service projects that train participants in land-management skills through short-term or year-long AmeriCorps terms and internships.  NOLS wilderness training and outdoor leadership offers financial aid and scholarships for their courses. Their Fellowship Program seeks to provide a structured pathway for People of Color to become NOLS instructors as well. To learn more about becoming a Fellow, contact Justin Forrest Parks, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, at diversity@nols.edu Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a free and local program that educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.  California Naturalist (Cal Nat) is a fee based program of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the California Naturalist Program. Cal Nat is designed for adults including teachers, docents, land stewards, natural resource professionals, and nature enthusiasts wanting to develop a sense of place and participate in service learning and stewardship of natural resources.  *CNC will also be offering a CalNat course come Fall 2020! Keep and eye on the Training Institute website or sign up for our CNC mailing list to stay informed about dates! National Association for Interpretation (NAI) training certifications include the Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Host are fee-based courses. The Certified Interpretive Guide curriculum is for individuals who present formal interpretive programs and covers the foundations of interpretation as well as presentation skills at a site. The Certified Interpretive Host program is for individuals to recognize they share part of the interpretation at a site. Local: Mountains Recreation and Conservation Association &   City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation & Parks offers temporary, seasonal and long-term park positions across Los Angeles! State: California State Parks are Recruiting Peace Officer Cadets California State Parks are accepting applications now through June 17, 2020. For questions or to schedule a ride along, contact the Recruitment     Office at recruitment@parks.ca.gov The US Forest Service is hiring for a variety of positions in fire across California.  Apply Apr. 27 - May 13.  National: The National Park Service has parks and positions all across the states! *Note many agencies and organizations are facing temporary furloughs and hiring freezes due to COVID-19. Until next week! Take care #saferathome XOXO,

Make your own Nature and Art Journal Experiment with plant pigments, plein air color landscapes, or make plant mandalas with the Natural History Museum’s guide on making your own nature and art journal.  DIY Moth Light Setting up a light and a sheet to attract moths is a simple and easy way to bring more nature into your backyard. Science Friday has instructions for observing moths , and the California Center for Natural History has instructions for building your own moth light to attract a wider variety of moths. Wildwood’s Nature Rescue Squad have created some simple DIYs to do at home, especially for Pre-K to 2nd grade. DIY Terrarium Create your own self sustaining ecosystem at home, with little maintenance required, terrariums look great anywhere in your space.  Create your own Bird Feeder A simple and fun way to bring more birds into your yard, plus these can easily be made with recycled products!
4 ways to create your own backyard herp haven For folks looking to observe herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), you can attract these friends to your backyard with these four techniques. It takes several weeks to start finding herpetofauna.  Keeplearning.org Got more time on your hands than you’re used to? Keeplearning.org is a huge directory that is constantly being updated. Urban Farming: Research, Writing, and Videos Learn about urban farming techniques, find new recipes, and more from Happily Natural Days’ blog and videos. All About Soil Learn all about the life beneath our feet as TreePeople covers all things soil, from learning how to build healthy soil, to compost, and other activities. New topics are added every week, so make sure to visit regularly to see what else you can learn.  Edible Education 101 is a hybrid public lecture series and for-credit class. It has been offered to undergraduate students and members of the public for nine semesters since 2011. The Environmental Learning Center offers a range of fun resources to do at home like this Backyard Scavenger Hunt ! Help scientists identify plants and animals on iNaturalist.org . Here's a short video that explains How to use iNaturalist's Identify Page . Feel free to share this video with others so that they can help identify too! Greenlining We The Future 2020 : A virtual summit on racial equity May 21, 2020 at 9:15 AM PST. As our nation faces a public health crisis beyond our comprehension and the subsequent economic fallout, the need to embrace and uplift racial equity could not be more important. Greenlining’s Economic Summit brings together thought leaders at the forefront of the fight for justice and equity. Join some of the country's leading racial justice experts, advocates, and activists for a full day of cyber networking, fireside chats, and thought-provoking panels on what we must do to ensure that recovery efforts reach all communities. We'll reimagine how to fundamentally transform our economy, society, and our planet with racial equity at the core. Grounding with Compassion in Times of Physical Isolation - A journey of support, sustainability, resilience and collective care for those on the front lines of the social justice movement. Every Wednesdays from 8:00 am - 8:50 am PST. If you are interested in joining please email: jessicaloya@greenlatinos.org Until next week! Take care #saferathome #natureathome #naturejournal #DIY XOXO,

ESPAÑOL ABAJO Interview a Plant (K-8th) Based on Beetles Project’s Interview an Organism (which is the Middle School in-depth version).This activity can be made as simple or as complex as you like. Have students pick a plant or tree: Can be a tree in their neighborhood, and identify using the Seek by iNaturalist App Or students could research a plant from the Los Angeles page on iNaturalist . Then have students make up questions that they would like to ask that particular plant or tree. Some prompts could include adaptations, age, habitat, who they are “friends” with (ie which animals or organisms live nearby). Students then research and answer their own questions.  Seek by iNaturalist This free app is used by naturalists worldwide to identify plants and collect data. It is a fantastic community science resource for learning about flora and fauna, and for identifying species in your backyard or neighborhood. Teachers can use the app to encourage their students to identify and collect data, or to research particular plants. Seek can be utilized as a parallel resource for nature journaling, too. Learn about Trees with TreePeople Tree People have created some great, simple videos, for students to learn all about trees. They encourage (in Spanish & English) students to make a Tree Buddy Profile , sing songs, and get involved in local community gardening. They have more topics coming soon, too. California State Parks PORTS Program Read with Ranger Jenny at Calaveras Big Trees State Park about what plants and trees need to survive. This California State Parks PORTS Youtube channel also has plenty of ways to connect your children (Pre-K-12) with our California State Parks. These videos are the sessions that have already taken place. Check out their upcoming program here . I Love Giant Sequoia Padlet This Padlet has lots of resources to help teach your children about Giant Sequoias, including videos, posters, articles and lesson plans.  Global Guardian Project Plant Power Course Global Guardian Project has made all of their lessons free, although you need to register an email address. The Plant Power course guides students through the importance of plants to our ecosystems, and how they survive and thrive. Root Action Experiment The California Science Center is releasing daily Stuck at Home Science experiments and activities to conduct with materials found around the house. All of the activity guides are in English and Spanish, and most are aimed at elementary students. This particular experiment helps students conceptualize how capillary action helps trees to get the water they need.  Descanso at Home Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge are closed to the public, but their education team have released some great resources to learn about gardens, plants, and pollinators, in both English and Spanish. On their YouTube channel , you can take virtual tours of the gardens, like the Ancient Forest, and see the wildlife that visits the park while people aren’t around. Big Green’s Lesson Plans for Plant Needs (K-5th) Big Green’s Lesson Plans can be adapted for learning at home by encouraging students to find plants in their garden or neighborhood, instead of in their school garden. The first portion of the lesson is particularly useful in helping students understand the needs of plants with the acronym “LAWNS”. Find the lesson plans here: PLANT NEEDS | Kindergarten through 2nd Grade and PLANT NEEDS | 3rd through 5th Grade .  Sit Spot Activity Using the journal template by Grassroots Ecology , have students observe a specific area or plant. This encourages students to focus on patterns and causation, and to draw links from prior learning about seasons, weather and water. The Outdoor Exploration Guide from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a similar activity for K-2. The Germination of a Bean Seed This lesson plan from The Edible Schoolyard Project has been adapted for students to use at home. It doesn’t require students to do any planting or growing of their own (however if you do have the materials and space to do this, it’s a fun project).  Storyline Online Here are two books read by celebrities that discuss pollination and plant needs. They’re relatively short, but will be good discussion starters for little ones who can follow along. Here is Rashida Jones reading “Please Please the Bees” and Rami Malek reading “The Empty Pot” . Aprende sobre arboles con TreePeople TreePeople han creado unos videos geniales y sencillos para que sus estudiantes aprendan todo sobre los árboles. AnÍman a los estudiantes (en español e inglés) a hacer un perfil de Tree Buddy , cantar canciones, e involucrarse en la jardinería comunitaria local. Tienen más temas por venir. Descanso en Casa Los jardines de Descanso en La Cañada Flintridge están cerrados al público, pero su equipo educativo han lanzado unos recursos excelentes para aprender sobre jardines, plantas y polinizadores, tanto en inglés como en español. En su canal de YouTube, puede realizar   recorridos virtuales por los jardines, como el Bosque Antiguo, y ver la vida silvestre  que visita el parque mientras que la gente no este cerca. Acción de Raíz Experimento El Centro de Ciencias de California está publicando experimentos y actividades de Ciencia Stuck at Home para llevar a cabo con materiales encontrados en la casa. Todas las guías de actividades están en inglés y español, y la mayoría están dirigidas a estudiantes de primaria. Este experimento particular ayuda a los estudiantes a conceptualizar cómo la acción capilar ayuda a los árboles a obtener el agua que necesitan (espanol esta en el la segunda página) Seek by iNaturalist Esta applicacion gratuita es utilizado por los naturalistas de todo el mundo para identificar plantas y recopilar datos. Es un recurso fantástico de ciencia comunitaria para aprender sobre flora y fauna, y para identificar especies en su patio o vecindario. Los maestros pueden usar la aplicación para alentar a sus alumnos a identificar y recopilar datos, o para investigar plantas particulares. ‘ Seek’ también se puede utilizar como un recurso paralelo para el diario de la naturaleza. Until next week! Take care #saferathome #natureathome XOXO,

Training/Online Courses (Registration Required) CNC Training Institute - Community Nature Connection Training Institute has brought training online! Check out our family-friendly programming for professional development opportunities, and opportunities to connect with nature and each other.  “ Free Fridays” Online Workshops hosted by General Assembly until June. From coding, to data and marketing, to UX design and career development, explore the tech skills that will keep you in demand and in the know. The Civic Ecology Lab at Cornell University is offering two free courses covering Network Climate Action: Scaling Up Your Impact and Plant-rich Diet: Persuading Family and Friends . Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses that cover a wide range of topic areas like environmental science, agriculture, sustainability, public health, biology and many many more! Webinars (Registration Required) Free science & nature webinars from the Montana Natural History Center every Tuesday via NatureWebs on Youtube World Parks Week goes until May 3rd highlighting a range of webinars Nature’s Role in Supporting Resilience in Times of Adversity - A free webinar featuring Dr. Cathy Jordan, C&NN's consulting research director, and Dr. Megan Gunnar, director of the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota will discuss how to respond to COVID-19. See you Tuesday, May 5th at 11am Los Angeles Audubon Society and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County presents The Evolution of Feather Color in Tanagers! Join Assistant Curator of Ornithology, Dr. Allison Shultz as she talks about the evolution of feather color in the largest family of birds on Wednesday May 13 at 7:15pm. Videos (No Registration Required) Community Nature Connection’s own weekly videos for Pre-K students to learn about Los Angeles’ creatures and critters. More episodes are being released every week, in both English and Spanish. Access via our Facebook . A 5 step process for composting food waste at home! How to Start Composting at Home   This weekly resource brings together activities from across Audubon’s national network of environmental educators, including the classroom curriculum Audubon Adventures, plus related DIY activities and content from Audubon’s editors. Audubon for Kids Preserve nature with pressed flower art! Join Sonia in this 2-minute how-to video to learn more! For those of us missing the trails, here’s a link to learn about new trails! Check out these Six Ideas for Exploring and Celebrating Trails at Home ! Take care! #SAFERATHOME XOXO,

ESPAÑOL ABAJO Take a Virtual Dive in a Kelp Forest The California Academy of Sciences provides an excellent animation of a kelp forest habitat and ecosystem, and briefly discusses the interlinked nature of food webs. They have thoughtfully developed lesson plans with clear NGSS links that can be used alongside this resource: Lesson Plan | How Stable is Your Food Web? Lesson Plan | Sensational Seaweed Lesson Plan | Habitat Adaptation Matchup (More focused on the ocean in general) For further information on kelp forests, and further activities, also see Kelp forest | Habitat from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For an even deeper dive into the Earth’s ocean, dive up to 10,924 meters here: https://neal.fun/deep-sea/ Santa Monica Mountains Read with a Ranger & Backyard Junior Rangers Through the ‘Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area’s’ Facebook page, students have access to learning about Los Angeles’ Mediterranean climate, our native flora and fauna, and what it’s like to be a Ranger. Rangers are reading stories that relate to the SMM’s ecosystem and habitats, as well as exploring the themes and topics in the Santa Monica Mountains Junior Ranger Activity Book , which is a great resource you can download for students to explore the outdoors (even if they can’t access the park right now). The videos can be attended live, or watched afterwards. Exploring Earth's Keystone Species Explore keystone species across the globe through Google Earth. This interactive “click and drag” tool allows students to get some bonus geography learning done while they investigate biomes. To further develop students’ learning, they could pick one of the keystone species and research what makes them so vital to their habitat, and to consider what might happen if that species were lost. Design a Background (K-5) There are two options for this. You could have students create their own digital Zoom background, or create a background for their online class time using home resources like paper, sheets, recycling materials etc. Students then have to guess each other’s habitat, and what animals or plants might live there. What Does A Native Bird Need to Survive & Thrive? Research a native Californian bird, and design a sanctuary with everything the species needs. Use iNaturalist or the Audubon Center to find a bird native to Los Angeles or Southern California. Design or Build a Bug Hotel There are all kinds of bugs that love your garden, balcony or window sill. You can be as elaborate or simple as you like. Use natural materials that you collect from nearby (like leaves, twigs, grass clippings etc) or use recycled materials (like shoe boxes, toilet paper rolls, string, cardboard boxes and packing materials, cotton wool, or egg cartons). Brainstorm what each bug might like from a hotel, and get students to draw their plans, justifying how each section is going to help their particular bugs.  For alternative guides, you could use this one , or these suggestions . Have You Got Little Ones Learning Their Alphabet? Google Earth will take you all over the world to learn the English alphabet! While checking out the lettering, you can also discuss the scenery, weather, what animals might live in that habitat/ecosystem/biome. PORTS Home Learning Programs These excellent live virtual programs from California’s State Parks’ Rangers are offered every day during school hours, and are targeted at grade groups K-2, 3-5, 6-8 & 9-12. Previous examples have included “Salmon & their Habitat”, and “Anza Borrego Desert Adaptations”. While not all of their subject matter is related to habitats, there are so many opportunities to incorporate habitats and ecosystems into the learning that PORTS delivers.  The sessions are limited to 500 students per session, so students need to pre-register (teachers need to make sure they send the registration link to students, not a cut and paste of their own registration) ¿Tienes Pequeños Aprendiendo Su Alfabeto? ‘Google Earth’ te llevará por todo el mundo para aprender el alfabeto inglés! Mientras revisas las letras, también puedes discutir el paisaje, el clima, lo que los animales podrían vivir en ese hábitat/ ecosistema / bioma. ¿Qué necesita un ave nativa para prosperar y sobrevivir? Investiga un ave californiana nativa y diseña un santuario con todo lo que necesitarían en él. Utilice la National Audubon Society para encontrar un pájaro nativo de Los Angeles o del sur de California. Diseñar un fondo (K-5) Hay dos opciones para esto. Podría hacer que los los estudiantes creen su propio fondo zoom digital, o crear un fondo para su tiempo de clase en línea utilizando recursos como papel, hojas, materiales de reciclaje, etc. Los estudiantes entonces tienen que adivinar el hábitat del otro, y qué animales o plantas podrían vivir allí. PORTS Programas Vivo Para Aprender Desde Casa (*algunos programas están en español e inglés)  Estos excelentes programas virtuales en vivo con guardabosques de California State Parks se ofrecen en inglés y a veces son bilingües también. Estos programas virtuales proporcionan maravillosas visualizaciones del tema que se enseña. Le animamos a utilizar este programa para los estudiantes que también están aprendiendo inglés. Usted puede encontrar una variedad de programas virtuales en los valiosos recursos naturales y culturales de California. Algunos cubren la fauna de mamíferos y marinos y el contenido histórico de nuestras áreas naturales. Las sesiones están limitadas a 500 estudiantes por sesión, por lo que los estudiantes deben registrarse previamente en el sitio web de PORTS. Las Montañas de Santa Mónica - Leer Con  un Guardabosque y se un Guardabosque Junior y otros Programas La página de Facebook de la " Santa Monica National Recreation Area ", los estudiantes tienen acceso a aprender sobre el clima mediterráneo de Los Angeles, nuestra flora y fauna nativa, y lo que es ser u n guardabosques . Los g uardabosques están leyendo historias que se relacionan con el ecosistema y los hábitats de las Montañas de Santa Mónica.  Cuando abras la página de Facebook, ve al lado izquierdo donde dice "eventos/events" y eso te llevará a sus próximas lecturas de libros virtuales con un guardabosques y otros programas. Algunos de ellos serán bilingües, tendrá que comprobar la descripción si el programa es bilingüe. Los guardabosques también están leyendo historias que se relacionan con los temas en el Libro de Actividades de Los Ranger Junior de las Montañas de Santa Mónica todos los jueves a las 3:00 pm, que es un gran recurso que puedes descargar para que los estudiantes exploren el aire libre (incluso si no pueden acceder al parque en este momento). Los videos pueden ser atendidos en vivo, o vistos después. Puede acceder a esto en las instrucciones anteriores en su Facebook. Take care! #saferathome Te quidas! #seguraencasa XOXO,

En español abajo What is it? A Nature Journal is a place to grow your observations, questions, feelings and learning about the natural world. It is a personal and adaptable practice that will look and feel different for each individual. Nature Journaling is a tool to help us improve observation skills, and to see similarities, differences, patterns and connections. Who is it for? Everybody! Nature Journaling will look different for everyone, as we all have different perspectives, knowledge, questions and interests. With this in mind, it’s best practice to start small, and see where it takes you. Journals are a pathway to learning, rather than a demonstration of the learning itself. Therefore it is absolutely fine that journals will change and grow as you change and grow. If holding a pen is a challenge, feel free to use a computer or tablet to document your thoughts. Although drawing is an element of nature journaling, it is not an essential component. For the vision impaired, notes can also be dictated based on what you feel, hear, notice, and wonder with your other senses. How does it relate to Next Generation Science Standards? Keeping a nature journal helps students hone their scientific skills of observation and documentation while connecting to the natural world. It is especially easy to relate the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) in Life Science and Earth and Space Science, while utilizing a skill-based approach to incorporate Science and Engineering Practices. For educators, you could set particular themes, learning objectives or tasks to accomplish in each entry. Although it is open-ended, don’t hesitate to set baseline expectations such as “date, title and temperature in top right corner” if that is helpful for your students’ learning. How do I start? The following activities and guides offer some resources for those who are new to Nature Journaling. There is a plethora of information about journaling on the internet, however we have tried to hone in on the crucial elements of the practice. We recognize that access to the outdoors is challenging (especially now), so we have included activities that can be completed indoors, at a window, or on a quick neighborhood walk. Community Nature Connection Free Zoom Course We are offering a free Zoom course called “Getting Started with Nature Journaling” for all ages on May 13th. Through our Training Institute Instructor, you’ll be guided through some basic principles and practices for your own use, or for your students and families. Please sign up in advance, as we may need to cap the registration. How to make your own Nature Journal The Audubon Center at Debs Park has made some quick videos that teach you how to make your own nature journal at home with some basic materials. Free Nature Journaling Curriculum John Muir Laws & Emilie Lygren have generously made the second edition of their beautiful book free to download during this time (although you’re welcome to donate money to them, if you can). This book is a comprehensive guide to nature journaling, and provides loads of activities, suggestions and illustrations. The print copy of the third edition of the book will be released in June, but can be preordered now. Best practices for teaching Nature Journaling This video by BEETLES Project teaches educators about best practices for teaching nature journaling, including activities that can be adapted to the indoors, and the kinds of feedback that are helpful for encouraging new journallers. Lesson Plan | Introduction to Scientific Sketching (3rd Grade - High School) For educators that would like a structured pre-made lesson plan for nature journaling, this is a step-by-step introduction to scientific sketching, created by the California Academy of Sciences. This is a fantastic resource that can easily be adapted to use in home schooling, as this powerpoint can be an independent guide for students. Beginner’s Guide to Nature Journaling for Elementary Students This great beginner's guide for educators by PLT and Acorn Naturalists has activities that can be adapted to use inside. It also explains the importance of nature journaling as an individual pursuit, and that “good” nature journals will look different to different people. More activities from Acorn Naturalists can be found here . Activity adapted from BEETLES, “I notice, I wonder, It Reminds me of” To facilitate Nature Journaling for elementary students who don’t have access to the outdoors, this activity can help build the same skills that nature journaling develops. The prompts are called, “I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of” and an example is pictured to the right. FOR GRADES K-2: Get your students to watch a Ranger Rick video of their choice. FOR GRADES 3-5: Get your students to observe 10 minutes of a wild or zoo animal on livestream of their choice from Explore.org . If students have access to a window, or outdoor space (or you know they are able to safely walk in their neighborhood), they can use these sentence starters and prompts to start their own nature journal. For students that struggle to get started To scaffold for students who struggle with blank page anxiety, these pages offer a framework to follow for elementary aged students (but the overall aim would be to wean students off this as soon as possible, to discourage this becoming a necessary habit). Maybe they could create their own template with the help of an adult. This type of template also reduces the open-ended nature of the activity, so leaving space for “extra questions” or “other observations” might be helpful. ¿Qué es? Un Diario de la naturaleza es un lugar donde viven sus observaciones, preguntas, sentimientos sobre el mundo natural. Es una práctica personal y adaptable que se verá y se sentirá diferente para cada individuo. Escribiendo en su diario de naturaleza es una herramienta para ayudarnos a mejorar las habilidades de observación y para ver similitudes, diferencias, diseños y diseños que podemos encontrar. ¿Para quién es?¡Todos! Escribiendo en su diario de naturaleza se verá diferente para todos, ya que todos tenemos diferentes perspectivas, conocimientos, preguntas e intereses. Con esto en mente, es una buena práctica comenzar con poco y ver a dónde lo lleva. Tu diario sera tu camino hacia el aprendizaje, más que una demostración del aprendizaje seria. Por lo tanto, está muy bien que tus diarios cambien y crezcan a medida que usted cambia y crece. Si detener una pluma es deficil, puede usar una computadora o tableta para documentar sus pensamientos. Aunque el dibujo es un elemento del diario de la naturaleza, no es un componente esencial. Para las personas con discapacidad visual, las notas también se pueden dictar en función de lo que siente, nota con sus sentidos. ¿Cómo se relaciona con los Estándares de Ciencias de la Próxima Generación? Llevar un diario de la naturaleza ayuda a los estudiantes a perfeccionar sus habilidades científicas de observación y documentación mientras se conectan con el mundo natural. Es especialmente fácil relacionar las Ideas básicas disciplinarias (DCI) en ciencia medio ambiental, ciencia, biologia, astronomia, e ingeniería. Para los educadores, puede establecer temas particulares, objetivos de aprendizaje o tareas a realizar en cada entrada. Aunque es abierto, no dude en establecer expectativas básicas como "fecha, título y temperatura en la esquina superior derecha" si eso es útil para el aprendizaje de sus estudiantes ¿Como empiezo? Las siguientes actividades y guías ofrecen algunos recursos para aquellos que son nuevos en escribiendo en su diario de naturaleza. Hay una gran cantidad de información sobre el diario en línea, sin embargo, hemos tratado de perfeccionar los elementos cruciales de la práctica. Reconocemos que el acceso equivalente al aire libre no es disponible ahorita, por eso hemos incluido actividades que se pueden completar en casa, desde una ventana, o en una caminata por el vecindario. Cuadernos de Campo Para Niños y Niñas (Con Imprimible) Esta actividad se puede adaptar para caminatas y vistas del vecindario desde la ventana. Incluye un cuaderno imprimible para guiar a los estudiantes y estimula la creatividad. Actividad Adaptada de BEETLES, “Me doy cuenta, me pregunto, me recuerda a" Para facilitar el diario de la naturaleza para los estudiantes, que no tienen acceso al aire libre, esta actividad puede ayudar a desarrollar habilidades para el diario de la naturaleza: "Me doy cuenta, me pregunto, me recuerda a". Haga que sus estudiantes (K-2): vean un video de Ranger Rick de su elección. Haga que sus estudiantes (3-5): vean un video de Explore.org de su elección. Si los estudiantes tienen acceso a una ventana o espacio al aire libre (o si saben que pueden caminar en su vecindario), pueden usar estos enunciados y avisos para comenzar su propio diario de la naturaleza. #STAYSAFE #SAFERATHOME #HAPPYEARTHDAY XOXO,

Reimagining Our Connection to Nature In the past month our communities have shifted to a new pace of life to continue flattening the curve of the coronavirus. We extend gratitude to those individuals working in the health care and food service industries for continuing to provide our most essential needs. This is a time to take stock of what we value as a society, and for many, nature is a place for people to recharge and reconnect both to the earth and to themselves. But as parks and regional land management agencies close trailheads and roads to protect the public from further spread of the virus, we as a community have had to reimagine what it means to bring the outdoors inside. New restrictions on trails and public space have served as a humbling reminder of the many benefits that nature and time spent outdoors provide to lead a healthy life. So while nature may be taking a break from us, we can continue to be inspired by the natural world and contribute to scientific research in our own neighborhoods! Reimaginando Nuestra Relación con la Naturaleza En el último mes que nuestras comunidades cercanas y alrededor del mundo han cambiado a un nuevo ritmo de vida para continuar aplanando la curva del coronavirus, queremos expresar nuestro agradecimiento a las personas que siguen trabajando en la industria de servicios de alimentos y atención médica por seguir dándonos nuestras necesidades más esenciales. Este es un momento para reflejar en lo que valoramos como sociedad, y para muchos, la naturaleza se convirtió en un lugar para recargar y reconectar a la tierra y uno a sí mismo. Pero ya que nuestros parques locales y caminos públicos se han cerrado para proteger al público de una mayor propagación del coronavirus, nosotros como comunidad hemos tenido que reimaginar lo que significa llevar el aire libre al interior. Estas restricciones han servido como un recordatorio humilde de los amplios beneficios que la naturaleza y el tiempo pasado al aire libre brinda a una vida saludable. Mientras que la naturaleza tome un descanso de nosotros, ¡podemos seguir inspirándonos del mundo natural y contribuir a la investigación científica en nuestros propios vecindarios! Information on Park Access and Closures All multi-use trails closed until further notice. A complete list of all trails here . All 280 State Parks Temporarily Closed to Vehicular Traffic Parks Temporarily Closed to the Public : Beaches, historic parks, natural reserves, vehicle recreation areas. All campgrounds across the State have been closed until further notice. The National Park Service is modifying its operations on a park-by-park basis . LA County Parks and Recreation (English) Informacion sobre Acceso a Parques Todos los senderos de usos múltiples están cerrados hasta nuevo aviso. Una lista completa de todos los senderos aquí. Los 280 parques estatales están cerrados al tráfico vehicular Parques temporalmente cerrados al público: playas, parques históricos, reservas naturales, áreas de recreación de vehículos. Todos los campamentos en todo el están cerrados hasta nuevo aviso. El Servicio de Parques Nacionales está modificando sus operaciones parque por parque. Parques y recreación del condado de Los Ángeles Find Your Park: Although National Parks are currently closed, you can stay inspired with these immersive Virtual Visit of National Parks and if you are looking for a way to enjoy with those in your home, here are some Park Activities you can do from home . California State Parks: Learn about California’s state parks through their Explore California blog series, nature guides, and distance learning resources. Explore.org: Enjoy live webcams of nature from all across the globe. Environmental Film Festival: Explore the inspiring work of researchers, environmental activists, and stewards from all over the world through Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF)’s collection of Festival films available for streaming online . P-22 Mountain Lion of Hollywood: Check out these live events on P-22’s Facebook page to stay connected to the cougar community and the wildlife crossing project. Exploring Conservation Training: The National Geographic Society is offering Exploring Conservation, a free six-course wildlife conservation series aimed at educating everyone about the importance of conservation and how they can get involved. UC Master Gardener program: Finally get started on that raised bed, herb spiral, or trellis you have been dreaming of with the UC Master Gardener program . Community Science Projects Falling Fruit Project: Connect to food, people, and the natural organisms growing in your neighborhood by contributing to the falling fruit project , an interactive edible map seeking to unite the efforts of foragers, foresters, and freegans everywhere. City Nature Challenge: This year’s City Nature Challenge is no longer a competition, but a collaborative effort to safely document biodiversity you see on your walks around the neighborhood or in your yard on iNaturalist ! Zooniverse: Zooniverse is the world’s largest and most popular platform for people-powered research. This research is made possible by volunteers. You don’t need any specialised background, training, or expertise to participate in any Zooniverse projects. #STAYSAFE #SAFERATHOME #HAPPYEARTHDAY XOXO,

How to deliver a message. As naturalists, we are frequently speaking in front of audiences, the California Naturalist Learning Program (CNLP) provided us support in strengthening our public speaking skills. We first worked on delivering an elevator pitch that was formatted in a timeline of when we started as CNC Naturalist graduates then to how we advanced in other outdoor career development programs and internships with CNC or with other outdoor and environmental organizations and agencies. We expanded what we had in our elevator pitch into a PechaKucha 20x20 presentation, where we had 20 slides to deliver each in 20 seconds. We additionally incorporated how our early life experiences significantly shaped our first outdoor experiences. We also connected how these career development experiences have supported and have inspired our future and career aspirations. Some of us included the advocacy work we’ve done in policy to increase access in the outdoors. We closed up our presentation by highlighting how the California Naturalist Leadership Training helped us sharpen our naturalist skills. Although we all felt challenged in delivering these presentation formats in a timely matter, it helped us improve our presentation skills when being timed. Not to mention, we all had fun and shared laughs as we practiced, not beating ourselves up when one of us got stuck or when we couldn’t remember our next point. This kind of practice definitely builds on our confidence as naturalist. We also feel a lot more prepared to present or talk about our relationship to the outdoors and how our experiences have shaped where we are today. Writing an interpretive outline. Before leading an interpretive program, we must design an outline first, a critical step that many of us were not too comfortable with. Therefore, learning how to plan and create an outline was extremely helpful when preparing for an interpretive program. We got the chance to come up with an interpretive outline while we visited Los Angeles Historic Park, coming up with ways of how to teach the history or activate the natural environment. We all got the chance to start an interpretive outline from start to finish. As a final step, we created our own interpretive programs as practice. Learning how to do community outreach and how to apply it to reach new audiences. As Community Naturalists, we learned that when we are doing outreach in the community, we are considering the mission of Community Nature Connection. Therefore, that means working alongside communities who are limited to green spaces or have no green spaces in their area. We all selected an electoral district in Los Angeles to work with. Then we reached out to an established organization working directly with these communities. Before we sought a potential partner, we also learned professional etiquette by going over emails in a work environment. We went over how to set up our work emails and how to respond, along with what not to do and what to be careful with. Once we found a potential partner in our selective districts we then moved on to contacting them in order to introduce who we are and what we do as an organization. We informed them that we were interested in collaborating on an outdoor interpretive program at a California State Park. We listened to their needs and found ways to offer programs that would meet their interests while connecting them to State Parks. Takeaways from risk management in programs. In the training we also covered risk management and its importance when running a program in the outdoors. We went over how to prepare before the start of a program to make sure we had the right materials and the proper information in case of an emergency. This means taking into consideration the weather and the potential hazards that can occur among many other factors. Preparing for an outdoor programs means also having a first-aid kit available during the program. This knowledge is extremely helpful for us to know since we are working with all ages in places with little or no signal at all. Preparing for an emergency beforehand allows us to have control in preventing a situation from worsening or even taking place. Knowing how to minimize risk is critical and high-priority when we are in the field. In summary, the variety of training we received on delivering a message, writing an interpretive outline, approaching a community partner, and learning risk management have all been essential to enhancing our community naturalist skills. We put these skills to use as we each led our own programs at California State Parks. Our Community Programs Bryan Date: May 19, 2019 Community group: East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice State Park visited: Will Rogers State Park Number of people served: 9 Description and highlights: I worked with the community group East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. They are a group that is located in both Lynwood and Commerce. They build awareness of environmental injustices created by manufacturing factories in East LA. They advocate for healthier communities and hold meetings weekly and organize campaigns where they can bring awareness to the public about thel issues. They were most interested in learning about the native plants and relaxing in nature. The program I delivered was an informative hike about plants and animals. At first, when we arrived at the park, I covered Maslows, meaning I addressed all of their basic needs to ensure everyone was comfortable and ready for the hike. I established the length of the hike and what to expect. Then after, I went over the history of the park and answered any questions that the group had. Throughout the hike, I went over the Mediterranean climate of California and different types of plants and animals that are around the area. I talked about plants that are native, and not native, and the ethnobotany history and functions of each of the plants. The hike and the overall program went well. Everyone had fun and we played games along the way, so it made the experience even better. I learned how to manage time wisely on the trail. I was nervous going into this program because it would be my first time taking the lead and answering all the questions that the public may have. However, after a few hours it was not as difficult as I expected and the program went smoothly. I learned that it also takes a lot of planning and preparation before going into a program. Freddie Date: May 25, 2019 Community group: Youth United Towards Environmental Protection State Park visited: Leo Carrillo State Beach Number of people served: 8 Description and highlights: The group consisted of 8 members from high school to college level participants all from the San Fernando Valley. The program became a hybrid program and a culmination of my interests! The day started at Pacoima City Hall and transported to Peter Strauss Ranch where short restoration activities took place! First participants weeded around native plants planted from the Peter Strauss Ranch Restoration Internship and then they collected seeds from two native plants on site to propagate later, these plants were California Poppies and Owl’s Clover. After that the group was transported to Leo Carillo State beach for lunch and a marine biology program, where I taught them about waves and why our beaches are different around the world. This led into the participants looking for animals near the tide pools, and me giving information on each animal they found (mussels, crabs, and chiton) talking about their physiology, adaptations, and habitats. At the end I covered why the ocean is important and why restoration is important, covering what we did that day and let the group enjoy sometimes at the beach before heading back to complete our day. It was cool to see the feedback even with small things like “Wow, I didn’t know crabs molted, I kinda want to look that up now” and “I haven’t been out like this since I was a kid, we should all go out again sometime.'' The small things that made me happy about this program was knowing that the timing of the activities were smooth. There are definitely several lessons I learned by doing this program. First of all, know your audience! I always try to personalize my speeches and activities to specific audiences, but I learned that it is also worth to take another step ahead and learn more about the audience to peak their interest and schedule around them. I also learned that I should always try to show my interests when it is appropriate to do so, I think my energy for things I was interested in really helped the participants get engaged! Lastly I learned that unexpected turn of events should be prepared for, but not too stressed over my program went through a lot of changes and challenges but it turned into something I thoroughly enjoyed and am proud of! To be able to share my interests with the community is something I strive for and will continue to do so with the knowledge from this program! Jose Date: March 30, 2019 Community group: Promatorx State parks visited: Will Rogers State Park Number of people served: 25 Description and highlights: The program started at Los Angeles State Historic Park where the Promatorx community group bases their activities out of. We then headed to Will Rogers State Park. We were joined by three California State Park rangers. Before the start of the program I had everybody use the restroom and get water. We then gathered everybody together and we did an ice breaker. I had everybody say their name, their first nature moment, and their gender pronoun. I had scouted the park the day before, so I knew what trail to do. The hike took about two hours round trip. At the top of the trail I did a wildlife program, talking about the many wildlife that use the park. I also brought out some pelts so they can look and touch them. And we finished it off with a coyote game. We then headed back down to have lunch at the picnic area. This group was incredible, they shared all their food with everybody. After lunch my coworker led a guided meditation with the whole group. This was awesome mostly being at such a beautiful place like Will Rogers State Park. We then finished out the day by having everybody say what they were thankful for. We had two people who were thankful for having the opportunity to go on their first hike. One of the community members mentioned that they were happy about feeling included and given the opportunity to share their gender pronouns. After this we headed back home. The hike was great, since I was able to check it out the day before I knew the best places to take the group. Being able to get to the lookview was a great moment for everybody. Vianey Date: April 7, 2019 Community group: Pacoima Beautiful State Parks visited: Malibu Creek State Park Number of people served: 9 Description and highlights: I delivered an interpretive program on Fire Ecology to the Naturalist Explorers. Malibu Creek State Park had parts of it that were directly impacted by the Woolsey Fire and were great areas to visually study and speak on Fire Ecology. We hiked through a recent burn area where fresh mugwort and other native plants were already thriving just a few months after the Woolsey Fire. The participants learned about our unique Mediterranean Climate and how its characteristics provide us with the vegetation we have today along with the adaptations of wildlife and plants go through before and after a wildfire. Participants also got to learn the history of wildfires in Southern California, efforts being done by firefighters to prepare for the fire season, and how to prepare their homes from being impacted by a fire. We also engaged in the discussion of how fires have impacted their communities in terms of air quality and the kind of resources a city will receive during and after a fire. All participants were startled to find out that wildfires can negatively impact a plant community because it can limit their growth rate and can have the potential to keep a plant from regrowing. “I was not aware that the Santa Ana winds are a huge part of why we have our fires. I really didn’t learn this anywhere until right now. I’ve also had to move due to the fires in my home in Sylmar and I have asthma so the smoke is sensitive to me.” “I find it interesting that we didn’t have fires yearly but instead every 40-60 years, our climate is changing and it’s only getting hotter.” My biggest takeaway is that we should continue to teach Fire Ecology, most of the lesson was completely new to the participants and at least one person had been impacted or had to be evacuated due to the fires in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Not only are these participants coming from communities where there is already limited access to green spaces but they are also being limited to the knowledge of how wildlife and plants are impacted by wildfires and how they are also play an important role in preventing wildfires.

Freddie Portillo “Growing up I was always fascinated with nature, but when I found out that not many people in my community really cared or were interested in nature it kind of made me sad, I wanted to show everyone else what they were missing out on. Eventually through the Naturalist Explorers program with Community Nature Connection, my love for nature was expanded. Working part-time for CNC, I had plenty of opportunities to get communities involved and exposed to nature. Eventually the Community Naturalist Leadership Program interested me because it seemed like a logical next step, not only because it gives people like me a chance to grow, but because it helps the outdoors become more diverse.” Vianey Moreno “My name is Vianey Moreno and I am the daughter of two immigrant parents from Oaxaca, Mexico. During my mother’s young years she took care of pigs, cows, goats, and chickens at her family’s farm, spending most of her days from sunrise to sunset outside. However, time outside was out of the need for the survival of her family, as she tells me, “Our animals provided us food and income, it was our way of staying alive.” When my parents moved to the United States, the meaning of the outdoors switched, we spent some weekends at our local park in order to get out for a few hours but that was all I knew growing up. It was not until my freshman year in college when I joined Community Nature Connection’s Naturalist Explorers that I learned of the natural world in depth. I discovered green spaces that I couldn’t have ever imagined were just miles away from home. I set up a tent for the first time and camped at my first national park. I joined the Community Naturalist Leadership Program in order to improve my professional and interpretation skills and grow as a community naturalist.” Bryan Casarez “I did not spend my early childhood surrounded by the outdoors. Instead, I was constantly surrounded by tall buildings, huge crowds, and loud noises. At the age of fourteen, my brother Andrew began to go camping and got to visit the outdoors and his interesting stories of nature influenced me to become interested as well. That is when I joined the Naturalist Explorers through Community Nature Connection. Since then I have gained memorable experiences that have had an impact as I grow up. Being part of CNC as an Outdoor Leader influenced me to join the Community Naturalist Leadership Program as I saw a great opportunity to gain even more exposure to the outdoors.” Jose Garcia “My name is Jose Garcia and I grew up completely disconnected to the outdoors. When I was first introduced to the outdoors, I fell in love. This exposure made me want to find employment in the outdoors and thanks to Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and Community Nature Connection, I’ve been able to do the work I enjoy. I want to improve my skills as a naturalist and that is why I continue to learn and find more opportunities for development like the Community Naturalist Leadership Program.” Introduction Our collective experience captures what many of our communities face: a lack of green spaces, including public parks. Our parents share the life changing experience of immigrating to the United States for a better life, this transition made it difficult to find a place in the outdoors not only for them, but as a whole family. The outdoors felt completely foreign growing up, empty lots and parking lots were one of the few open spaces around us to play and be creative in. For some of us, exploring the outdoors wasn’t a tradition we did as a family, and as we grew older, there was a disconnection between us and outdoor spaces. Our families work extremely long hours, most weekends were spent traveling close distances. Some of us were lucky enough to have a local park and even these spaces were often unsafe due to gang-related activities. Some of us didn’t have the opportunity to go camping with our families or friends. There wasn’t a lake, stream, waterfall, or forest that was part of our childhoods that we can look back on and say, “I went there as a kid growing up, I remember spending my summer there.” There wasn’t enough representation around us to feel drawn into exploring green spaces, and we didn’t resemble your typical outdoorsy person. Some of our families feared traveling to government parks because they felt that they would be questioned about their legal status in the country. These are the realities and challenges we face and effect why members of our communities have been limited in exploring the natural world through outdoor spaces. Our stories of who we are and our journeys into park careers today start with the educational programs that introduced us to outdoor spaces and inspire us to share these experiences with our communities. What is a Community Naturalist? When you think of a Naturalist, you generally picture an expert in the the field of natural science or someone who studies the environment of a particular area. This is a pretty accurate definition of a Naturalist, but have you ever heard of a Community Naturalist? A Community Naturalist is a person who engages the community they are from in outdoor spaces, teaching them about the environment and the natural world. This person has expertise in delivering an educational program to their audience that is engaging, familiar and relatable to their community--allowing their community to learn and explore in an open space because they feel comfortable there. Community Naturalists work with communities that have been historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces. They facilitate physical access and use interpretive programming to bridge the gap between their community and outdoor spaces they are not familiar with or have been exposed to. Increasing Representation of Diverse Groups in the Outdoors Representation of diverse groups in the outdoors is important because it encourages communities that have historically been excluded from participation to enjoy and work in outdoor spaces. The outdoors is predominantly used by populations who have the privilege to travel far distances, own outdoor equipment, have knowledge in navigating local, state, federal parks, and have ties to these parks from past family members. Therefore, as individuals who didn’t grow up having this kind of advantage, we find increasing representation in the outdoors to be an important movement that acknowledges that many communities have lacked access to the outdoors for a long period of time. When we are able to walk into a park and see that a park ranger comes from a similar background to us, it deepens our experience as visitors, allowing us to feel that we do belong here and that we are capable of also having a similar career position. When we see someone who looks like us working at a local, state, or national park our communities feel welcomed enough to come back and visit, not to mention, it also encourages us to continue exploring outdoor spaces. As a result of the outdoor programs that Community Nature Connection exposed us as youth who come from underrepresented communities, we all have been inspired to gear our career choices towards those in the outdoors. It is through these outdoor programs that allowed us to see our first sequoia tree, waterfall, meadow, a night sky full of stars, and baby black bear. We are all working towards careers in biology, archaeology, wildlife conservation and astronomy. When we make progress in increasing representation of diverse groups in the outdoors, we are opening doors of accessibility for future generations. The Importance of California’s State Parks California’s state parks are important because they are a resource for communities all across the state to utilize for education, fun, relaxation, inspiration, and recreation. California’s state parks are dedicated to preserving biodiversity and cultural resources, along with “structures and habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts.” California’s state parks deserve to be shared with everyone living in California. Everyone should be allowed to visit, learn, and be granted the opportunity to leave inspired to become a steward of nature. State parks are a vital resource for the diverse communities hungry and ready to discover their beauty. We are certain that there is an elder, adult, youth, or kid in our neighborhood today that has yet to explore the wonders of a state park. As Community Naturalists, we are eager and thrilled to be able to introduce our communities to state parks and teach them about the biodiversity and the cultural historical heritage that these parks hold. With countless opportunities for learning experiences at our state parks, it allows us as Community Naturalists to grow our skills and deepen our connection to the parks in our backyards that are an integral part of our communities. Breaking Down Barriers: The Importance of the Community Naturalist Leadership Program The Community Naturalist Leadership Program (CLNP) is important because it will help deepen our expertise as naturalists and teach us the skills to coordinate and lead programs that introduce our communities to state parks and outdoor careers. CLNP offers young people like us with an opportunity to develop our skills as interpreters. Programs like this support us in having a longstanding future in the outdoors. The CNLP will also prepare us to connect our audiences to outdoor spaces and careers in a park setting. It is very difficult for young people from an underrepresented community to get jobs in parks, an experience that we are extremely familiar with. We plan to build a meaningful and personal connection with our community about our role as Community Naturalists so that we can illuminate the opportunities available to them in the same field. We also plan to demonstrate to our community that we understand the barriers that exist in accessing jobs in outdoor settings but that we have stories and resources to share. Thanks to the hard work of agencies like California State Parks, Community Nature Connection, and the California State Parks Foundation a lot of these barriers are going to be broken down. We are grateful for the opportunity we were given and we hope that the knowledge we gain in the CLNP will be passed down to future generations. The Community Naturalist Leadership Program is a multi-week leadership and career training program designed and implemented by Community Nature Connection and made possible by funding from California State Parks Foundation.