‘Outdoor Access for All’ Initiative to Allow Underserved Communities Access to Outdoor Spaces in California
Written by Issac Santos, Outdoor Outreach Field Instructor
Yesterday, alongside state and national leaders, our very own Field Instructor Isaac Santos shared his experience as they announced that more than 100 communities in California will soon be able to increase access to the outdoors thanks to $548.3M in California State Parks grants. The initiative will help create a better quality of life for Californians, like those in the communities we work with every day, to improve their physical, mental, and social health through the outdoors. Read on to hear what Isaac had to say about his experience growing up in San Diego and the important role the outdoors has had on his mental and emotional wellbeing.
Isaac pictured alongside US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, CA State Parks Director Armando Quintero, CA Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, Mayor Todd Gloria, and City Councilmember Vivian Moreno at yesterday’s launch event for California’s Outdoors for All Initiative
My name is Isaac Santos and I’m from Imperial Beach. I’m currently a freshman at San Diego State University and an instructor at Outdoor Outreach, an organization that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. We’re proud to be a part of the California Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All Initiative.
I would like to share what access to the outdoors has meant to me, and how it has helped give me purpose and self-confidence.
Prior to my first outdoor experience, I was falling behind in my classes and lacked motivation in almost everything I did. I was struggling in school and had no plans for my future. I was in a place I knew I had to escape from—but I didn’t know how.
Luckily my school had an outdoor adventure club and I found exactly what I needed. The first trip I ever went on was to Zion National park, and I finally felt like I was part of a community. I was welcomed with open arms and only felt love and support from everyone. Over the three years I spent in the Adventure Club at Outdoor Outreach, I grew into a confident leader who cared about his future and eventually took on a leadership role. In my junior year of high school, I was in charge of leading and planning a 3-day backpacking trip for 15 people to Anza Borrego State Park. It was my first time ever having that kind of responsibility. I had to secure permits, establish trails, make the meal plan, etc.
The outdoors has helped me rediscover myself and what I’m capable of. The outdoors became like a funnel—I can channel my negative emotions and leave them outside, then come back into everyday life feeling motivated and able to recollect myself. It’s almost humbling, being outside—y’know these trees, they tower over you. It makes you realize how small you are on this earth and your troubles and everyday problems can just kind of…flow away.
Every youth deserves to experience the healing power of nature. This is why I work as an instructor at Outdoor Outreach. Equity in the outdoors is so important to have and seeing more people of color work and participate with us made me feel more comfortable in these spaces. And this is why your efforts to increase access to the outdoors will mean opportunities for thousands of youth to find their own sense of purpose and connection.
Outdoor Outreach is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. Through our programs, we’re helping youth build resilience in the face of challenges, and confidence in their power to make a difference.