Diversifying the Outdoors through Outdoor Leadership Trainings for Teachers and Youth Workers

The Open Space Authority contributed funds towards the development of this 1.3-acre park, including walking trails, a pedestrian bridge, benches, a landscaped swale with a biotreatment component, and interpretive signs that shows the agricultural history of the site.

Growing Sustainably, a signature CommUniverCity SJSU program, is developing and delivering new curriculum connecting wildlife appreciation, Green STEM careers, and climate resilience to expand its programming. It is teaching 905 Central San Jose k-8th grade students living in underserved communities about local flora and fauna through urban habitat gardening. Additionally, the program is organizing grade level-appropriate environmental science career fairs using hands-on activities and field trips. Central San Jose program participants have multiple opportunities to garden, observe wildlife, learn about green STEM careers, visit the SJSU campus, enjoy natural areas, and address environmental issues relevant to them.

This pilot is an initiative by the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy to develop, implement, and measure the outcomes and impact of a regular calendar of parks and nature-based public programs. The Project Scope supports the implementation of 20 public programs over two years (approximately 10 per year), offering trail tours, nature walks, visitor center programs, special-topic workshops, youth activities, and more. The aim is to cultivate environmental stewardship, social cohesion, and civic engagement through nature-based programming that connects people to nature and each other.