Growing Our Urban Roots Youth Education Program

The Authority contributed funds to the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council for the Gateway to Trails and Parks: Ridge Trail Interpretive, Wayfinding and Outings project at Berryessa BART Station. The project used the opening of the new Berryessa BART station to introduce and connect the public to the outstanding network of trails, parks, and open space in Santa Clara County. The Berryessa station includes a new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and connects directly to the Penitencia Creek Trail and other trails, offering access to many nearby parks and open spaces. This project promotes exciting new opportunities to combine transit and trails for recreation and transportation.

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.

This project brings a wide variety of hands-on science and nature programs that meet the needs of students, teachers, and parents of Title I schools in the Santa Clara Valley. Their programs help develop science skills, inspire a love of nature, and promote environmental stewardship. Through this project, Environmental Volunteers provide support and resources to underserved communities to ensure the outdoors and science and nature education are accessible to all.