Alviso Adobe Park

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.

Santa Clara Unified School District's Pomeroy Sustainable Harvests & Investing in Nature Education (SHINE) program serves 300 students in grades TK-5 in Santa Clara, CA. SHINE provides hands-on, nature-based education and recreation to underserved students, including SED, ELL, and SPED populations. The program integrates Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards and emphasizes the benefits of eating locally and sustainably. SHINE also includes a Charlie Cart Outdoor Kitchen System and ongoing support for long-term sustainability and replication at other schools.

The Green Foothills’ Healing in Nature series offers to public groups meditative, healing experiences in protected parks and open spaces within Open Space Authority Districts. The program includes special outings for people with limited mobility and disabilities, families with children, and people who prefer Spanish interpretation. Special emphasis is placed on building an ethnically diverse community of docents with cultural mindfulness training and expertise.