Eastside Explorers

Acterra developed a science-based climate science education and training program for Middle School students (grades 6-8) that explains climate change and outlines positive steps individuals and communities can take to mitigate negative effects. Acterra aims to partner with the California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF) to co-create an outdoor/urban garden experience that links nature, food, and planetary health to enrich the You(th) Be the Change (YBtC) curriculum that both organizations can incorporate into their educational programming. In addition to direct teaching of the enriched YBtC program in classrooms, this project includes a teacher training program to support and inspire teachers to provide students from under-resourced communities with high quality climate science education and outdoor/urban garden experiences while increasing awareness and usage of CNGF’s urban garden.

This project is adding essential, long-lasting improvements to the Our City Forest Urban Forest Outdoor Education Center located in Martial Cottle County Park. With the existing Outdoor Classroom at the center, the addition of stable walkways, electricity, smart irrigation, a greenhouse, and other eco-friendly features, a viable outdoor community environmental education space is available to serve the public. Education programming offered at the site is increasing climate resilience awareness of environmental challenges and teaching skills necessary to steward and protect the natural resources in and around our urban communities. With the improvements made possible through this grant, the Education Center will attract and support thousands of visitors to this innovative venue within Martial Cottle Park.

The urban bird banding station Coyote Creek Field Station performs research, skills training, and innovative science-focused educational outreach. The grant will fund field station improvements to accommodate the expansion of education and community outreach activities. Facility improvement planning will be extensively informed by consultation with educators, with a priority focus on engaging with underserved communities, to ensure that the expansion serves local needs.