Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy Gets $100,000 Boost for Conservation Education

The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Michael J. Connell Foundation. The grant will bolster AFC’s Conservation Through Education program, which is dedicated to nurturing future land stewards.

Barbara Goto, AFC’s Director of Operations, expressed her gratitude for the generous grant, stating it will significantly expand their education programs. This expansion will allow more local communities and under-resourced groups to experience nature firsthand.

The grant will also facilitate the expansion of AFC’s summer internship program for both college and high school students. The program will now offer housing and stipends to participants, enabling students who would otherwise need to work a summer job to participate. College interns will mentor high school students during a two-week intensive, providing invaluable experience in field work, data analysis, and presentation and communication skills.

In addition to the internship program, the funding will be used for AFC’s new “Living in a Wildlife Corridor” mobile exhibit. This exhibit will introduce communities to the wildlife corridors winding through their foothill neighborhoods, fostering a deeper connection between people and nature.

AFC’s Conservation Through Education program works in tandem with the organization’s acquisition and preservation of natural open spaces in the San Gabriel and Crescenta Valleys. The program educates neighbors, students, teachers, and community members about the wildlife, native plants, and geology of the region. Last year, 58% of their field trips were for students from schools receiving Title 1 funding.

For more information about AFC and its programs, visit ArroyosFoothills.org. The AFC is committed to ensuring the protection of natural open spaces for future generations through education and conservation efforts.