In the News

Could bad news drive good change?

Could bad news drive good change? Test Scores & Mental Health On October 24th the LA Times delivered the news that, as measured by the 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessment System, 2 in 3 students don’t meet California Department of Education’s math standards and more than half did not meet the English standards. [1] Nearly a …

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WYP Welcomes New Board Members

WYP Welcomes New Board Members Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), the leading nature connection organization in Santa Barbara County, is proud to announce the addition of Devon Azzam and Teresa Romero as Board Trustees.  With the addition of these two respected leaders, WYP is responding to our community’s increasing recognition that all children need nature.  Their …

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Smarter, Happier, Healthier

Smarter, Happier, Healthier: Connecting with Your Inner Child By: Julia Barrera, WYP Intern It was a cool Wednesday afternoon and the campus of UCSB was filled with golden light as the sun gave way to dusk. My white Filas crunched on the gravel path along the lagoon behind the university center. It was my first …

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Thank you, Dr. Burke-Harris!

Thank you, Dr. Burke-Harris Dear Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, Since Wilderness Youth Project began back in 1999, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of connecting children with experiences that support health and happiness. Over the years, we’ve found many other community members and leaders who worked tirelessly to make sure that kids get what they need.   When …

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1% for the planet nonprofit partner logo

1% for the Planet / 1% Para el Planeta

1% for the Planet / 1% Para el Planeta Wilderness Youth Project is honored to be the beneficiary of a wide range of 1% for the Planet member companies. Our partnership with 1% for the Planet is intended to advance our impact as well as involve more businesses and individuals in the environmental movement.    …

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Photo features two children on a rock under a rainbow in a field. The photo has text that says The Stress Busters

The Giving List: The Stress Busters

The Giving List: The Stress Busters Wilderness Youth Project is thrilled to announce our inclusion in the The Giving List Santa Barbara and the matching challenge of $5,000 that has been generously offered to us by the Natalie Orfalea Foundation that will match every gift that comes in through this campaign. Santa Barbara is home …

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Our Vision of the Outdoor Equity Program Collaborative

Our Vision of the Outdoor Equity Program Collaborative Do you remember the Instagram Live with Monique Limón back in July and our blog post on Outdoor Equity where we were looking for community input in August and September? If not, take a moment to look back before you continue! Since then, we have continued to make …

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Stress graphic *Graphic adapted from the "Roadmap to Resilience: The California Surgeon General’s Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Toxic Stress, and Health"

Adverse Childhood Experiences & Stress Busters

Adverse Childhood Experiences & Stress Busters In the past year, the California’s Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, announced that the state was adding “access to nature” to its list of seven Stress Busters as published in the Roadmap for Resilience which highlights how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress impact long term community …

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Wilderness Youth Project Participants

Outdoor Equity Funding & Community Input

Outdoor Equity Funding & Community Input Needed Click Here to read a more recent update Have you heard about the new California State Parks outdoor equity grant?   WYP and many community partners are excited that California has passed legislation to fund outdoor equity. “California is home to over 280 State Parks and millions of acres …

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Humboldt Lily

Celebrating Latino Conservation Week & Outdoor Equity

Across the country and here on the Central Coast, Latino Conservation Week takes place July 17-25. Latino Conservation Week (LCW) is an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF). It was created to support the Latinx community in getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources and includes events throughout the …

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