Open Space Council's Blog

Community Bridges in Marin

We have a vision.  A vision for our whole foggy-at-the-coast and hot-inland region.  We want to work with our members and the community-at-large to realize this vision of bringing nature within reach of all Bay Area residents.  Our work towards this vision has a few different components, one of which being the Park Connections project (and this being another).  

On May 18th and June 2nd we held workshops in Marin County to convene educators, outdoor programs, youth programs, and park agencies/organizations in order to build partnerships, catalyze ideas, and find ways of getting more young people outside.  This follows on the heels of Phase One of the Park Connections project which resulted in this report. 

(If you're reading this by email, click here for a slideshow)

Representatives from organizations like Huckleberry Youth Programs, Slide Ranch, Marin Organic, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy attended the workshops held at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center on May 18.  And the Canal Alliance hosted the second workshop on June 2 with participations from organizations like WildCare, Point Reyes National Seashore Association, Audubon Canyon Ranch, PRBO Conservation Science, and California State Parks.  Thanks to both of our hosts for sharing their spaces.

Many resources were shared including the Outdoor Youth Providers database created by the Stewardship Council.  And many stories were told of the transformational effects of time spent outdoors, including: 

There are students who have never slept away from home, and don't apply to colleges far away because leaving home is intimidating; outdoor programs could help provide the experience of being away from home.

The conversations are continuing offline and the partnerships are continuing to build.  Contact Wendy Dalia at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center if you're interested in joining them.  Her number is (415) 388-2524  x111. For questions about the workshops, contact our Executive Director Bettina Ring at 510 809 8009 ext 254.  

 

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These workshops were made possible by the support of the Marin Community Foundation.  If you're interested in working with the Open Space Council to bring nature within reach of more Bay Area residents, contact Bettina Ring at 510 809 8009 ext 254.  

 

You're Invited: Workshops about Youth, Nature and Marin County

The Open Space Council wants to bring nature within reach of all Bay Area residents.  Last year we conducted research and wrote a report about connecting a particular population of Bay Area residents - young people from underserved communities - to the outdoors.  The Park Connections project identified 5 key barriers between young people and the parks, trails, and open spaces we have in the region.  

The work continues with a workshop series in Marin County, thanks to support from the Marin Community Foundation.  The Community Bridges Workshops will bring together practioners and funders to improve access to parks and open spaces for underserved youth in Marin County.  Join us for one or both workshops to build partnerships, learn about best practices and identify ways to make it happen (i.e., funding!).  

Ideas and Inspiration: May 18, 9am-2pm at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center, Tiburon

• Learn about the incredible array of programs and services in Marin County
• Highlight best practices in teen program delivery and funding

 

Nuts and Bolts: June 2, 12pm-5pm at the Canal Alliance, San Rafael

• Hear from and talk with teen program participants
• Discuss and brainstorm challenges and opportunities related to funding and transportation 

 

Lunch will be provided at both workshops and allow for ample time for conversation.

Will you join the conversation? 

Click here to register for the May 18 Workshop 

Click here to register for the June 2 Workshop  

You can attend one or both workshops.  Questions?  Send them to Emma at emma [at] openspacecouncil [dot] org 

 

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Funding for these workshops is provided by the Marin Community Foundation.

"Parks can be intimidating"

That is what one of the 271 teenagers we talked to said.  Her words and our other research findings can be found in our just-released Park Connections report. 

With generous funding from the Stewardship Council, we conducted comprehensive research to find out what barriers young people face to getting to open space.  Five barriers were clearly identified as well as recommendations for how to overcome them. 

Click here to download the Executive Summary and Full Report. 

We want to take this project a step further.  We're building a list of links of resources on the subject.  Will you take a look and let us know what is missing?  Or what questions you have?  Check it out here.

Lastly and most importantly, we want to thank the Stewardship Council for its support and all of the young people, teachers, youth leaders, Working Group members and others who contributed to this project.  The hard work and focus of John Francis and Ingrid Behrsin are particularly appreciated.  Thank you!