Santa Monica Mountains Fund

Green Careers: Building Belonging in the Climate Workforce trains underrepresented LA youth for paid field-based jobs in conservation and climate resilience. By restoring public lands and learning high-demand green skills, participants gain access to career pathways that offer economic mobility, financial stability, and purpose. This program bridges the gap between historically excluded communities and the growing green economy while making Los Angeles’s natural spaces healthier and more accessible for everyone.

At-risk youth will sign up for a paid work shifts based at the Liberty Canyon Crossing Plant Nursery in Los Angeles County. Provided with transportation and working on Saturdays with experienced leaders and nursery staff, they will learn about the native plants needed on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101. They will work with staff to learn to grow these plants from seed, collected and processed by these youth in the park, and could eventually be part of the team to plant out The Crossing upon completion.

Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) is a transformative initiative that seeks to ignite a lifelong love for nature in Title 1, grade 4 students from underprivileged communities in Los Angeles County. Through a blend of virtual and in-person experiences, EKO kindles a sense of wonder, nurture environmental stewardship, and cultivates a deep connection to the natural world. By providing equitable access to parks and fostering a supportive learning environment, EKO empowers these young minds to explore and develop a profound sense of belonging in nature.