The National Audubon Society and the REI Foundation have founded a program that will allow Audubon to study its existing offerings and community collaborations and design future nature programs to support the needs and interests of culturally diverse individuals and families.
The $110,000 grant from the REI Foundation will help Audubon build on the success of Latino-focused nature programs at three urban Audubon Centers: the Audubon Center at Debs Park in East Los Angeles; Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center in Seattle; and the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix. The centers will work to expand connections with local community organizations.
Through its network of community-based nature centers and chapters, Audubon is conserving and restoring natural ecosystems by engaging people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences. The REI Foundation, a private foundation, is working to ensure that tomorrow's outdoor enthusiasts and conservation stewards reflect the diversity of America, through strategic engagement and financial support.
Nature centers have a rich history of forging bonds and creating enduring impacts on the people they reach. While Latino traditions enthusiastically embrace the outdoors, many nature-oriented organizations in the country lack the cultural insights, language skills, and community connections to effectively involve Latino individuals and families in experiential and conservation programs.
“Its great to be working to help nature education programs succeed in northeast Los Angeles and Latino communities across the country. Working as one community is the best way to make to be sure of reaching all local residents,” said Arturo Gonzalez, Arroyo Seco Foundation outreach coordinator and a key ally in Audubons community projects.
Audubon is among the first organizations to receive funding stemming from recommendations and collaboration with The National Forum on Children and Nature, a group of public and private leaders that led a national effort to reconnect kids with nature. The Forum, which launched in 2007, worked to identify exceptional efforts from across the country. The Audubon program was one such project. Additional REI Foundation-supported programs include the New York Restoration Project in New York City and the EarthTeam Environmental Network in Berkeley, Calif., other important projects that were endorsed by the National Forum.
