Beginning Farmer Learning Hub

The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (Ridge Trail) is expanding public trail access at Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve (Coyote Ridge) and growing public support for recreation, protection, and conservation at the preserve, under the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s (Authority) Urban Grants Program. The Ridge Trail is hosting eight guided trail outings at Coyote Ridge for 12-24 participants, in coordination with community partners, to broaden access for individuals and/or families within the Authority’s jurisdiction who have been historically underrepresented. These 3-7 mile nature-based, hiking experiences introduce residents to the trails at Coyote Ridge, scheduled to open for limited access to the public in late 2023.

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.

The Authority contributed funds to Guadalupe River Park Conservancy’s field trip program that allows for inquiry-based learning. The program is committed to getting children outdoors and uses Guadalupe River Park & Gardens' river, rose garden, and orchard as an outdoor lab. The program prioritizes serving Title One students and connects them to their local environment while providing hands-on science lessons that teachers cannot deliver inside their classrooms