Youth and Education

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Connecting young people, especially children, to the land is at the core of The Big Sur Land Trust’s conservation mission. It is vital that people and communities work together to create an environment in which every child in Monterey County can develop a special connection to the land. We envision a future in which No Child Left Indoors is more than a hopeful slogan: It is the reality for all our children.

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Science and environmental camps, art-in-nature classes, Plant-a-Thons, wilderness challenge experiences, and interactive history, agriculture and nature exhibits enrich the lives of young people through the educational and healing powers of nature. Spending time outdoors and engaging in creative environmental projects and physical challenges can boost self-esteem and promote experiential learning. In nature, young people can experience at a deeper level the health benefits of exercise, recreation and clean air.

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In order to prepare today’s youth for the challenges of tomorrow, we must integrate ecological education into classrooms from grade school to graduate school, so that children and adults understand and appreciate how ecological processes and biodiversity affect our region. We also need to provide opportunities for young people to serve in their community through life skills training and hands-on work experience in environmental stewardship, natural resource management projects and conservation. As our society moves increasingly in the direction of “green technology,” the future will require a workforce well-educated in environmental and ecologically-focused development. With its rich resources and its diverse educational institutions, the Central Coast is well positioned to lead the way in fostering a thriving “green” business culture.

Join us in this exciting time of partnership, vision, and opportunity.

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