Outdoor Equity Project
RIVER LA was selected to lead the Outdoor Equity Grants Program (OEP) for the city of Compton. OEP was funded by the California Department of Parks and Recreation with the goal of increasing the ability of residents in low income urban and rural communities to participate in outdoor experiences at state parks and other public lands. River LA’s role is to empower over 2500 youth and families through outdoor leadership education, career pathways, environmental justice engagement, and access to nature.
We have organized camping trips, hikes with wolves, education in gardening and outdoor sports. The impact of the program went far beyond our imagination and was life changing for children who have never ventured more than a mile from their homes. This year we are expanding the program both in our grant applications - to an additional five cities (another 12,500 youth) - and adding a new element to the program “CAREERS IN THE WILD- WILD CAREERS” to start moving the program from just exposing youth to the outdoors, to begin preparing them for outdoor careers and personal opportunities for their future.
Programs include:
1. Wolf Connection
The Wolf Connection program takes groups of youth for a day-long experience that facilitates experiential relationships with rescued wolves and the natural environment to empower youth to become authentic leaders and contributing community members.
2. Wildlife Learning Center Program
The Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center will provide education in the life sciences, conservation and the environment through lessons and direct physical interaction with the animals. These experiences will help foster respect for and stewardship over animals and their natural environments.
3. LA River Kayaking and Camping Trips
River LA along with Outward Bound Adventures is providing the OEP grant Compton youth the opportunity to participate in the 3-day LA River kayaking and camping experience that includes engineering education, outdoor natural experiences and environmental education.
4. Environmental Exploration Day
River LA will lead an outdoor program that will create opportunities for youth to find their voice and place as environmental leaders by interacting with experts on environmental topics, and engage in hands on educational games and experiences. River LA will partner with urban garden experts to provide a day in the outdoors to discover the benefits of greening the environment by planting urban gardens and inspiring the participants to become environmental advocates by establishing urban gardens in their communities to increase healthy and sustainable food options.
5. Bike Repair Earn A Bike Program
River LA is partnering with cycling advocacy groups to provide gently used bicycles that participants will learn to repair and maintain as well as learn cycling safety and fitness principles.
6. “CAREERS IN THE WILD - WILD CAREERS”. This program enhances the experience from simply exposing youth to the outdoors, to beginning to prepare them for outdoor careers and professional opportunities for their future. Our goal is to expand the program city wide and serve underserved youth in both environmental access and job training across Los Angeles.
This program funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.