Outdoor Programs in South County and San Diego Support 13,000 Children

Supporting the outdoors is second nature for The San Diego Foundation and its family of funds.

This year, The Foundation granted $460,000 to 12 programs that promote environmental youth education and provide greater access to nature, particularly in underserved communities throughout the region.

The grants are part of a larger initiative, Opening the Outdoors, which aims to bring the beauty and richness of the region’s natural spaces to youth in South County and beyond.

The Opening the Outdoors program has already had a significant impact in the region, granting more than $1 million to 25 nonprofits, reaching 13,000 San Diego youth in the process.

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Several of these programs have been spotlighted in local media for their outstanding work to make the outdoors more accessible to all of San Diego.

Nonprofit Programs in the Media

KUSI spotlighted Outdoor Outreach Executive Director Ben McCue and BAME Community Development Corporation CEO Monte Jones in their San Diego People Edition. The two leaders discussed the importance of engaging with local youth and families to increase awareness and appreciation for the outdoors.

The Union Tribune San Diego Community Spotlight radio program featured San Diego Audubon Society Executive Director Chris Redfern and San Diego Canyonlands Executive Director Eric Bowlby. During the interview, both leaders outlined the long term value these outdoor programs have for youth, particularly those in underserved communities throughout the region.

Listen to the Radio Interview

 

NBC 7 featured Girl Scouts of San Diego CEO Jo Dee Jacob and the great work her organization is doing for young females in South County and throughout San Diego.

Lasting Impact

To date, the Opening the Outdoors programs have enhanced, renovated and created more than 40,000 acres of natural habitats and green space, and worked with over 20,000 local volunteers in the process.

And as the program expands thanks to the support of charitable San Diegans, these numbers and stories will continue for future generations.

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