NEW ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CAMPUS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA KIDS
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to be home of fourth
NatureBridge residential education campus
Santa Monica, Calif. (September 17, 2009)— Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and NatureBridge today announced the formation of Santa Monica Mountains Institute, a new environmental education campus that will serve Southern California urban youth. The new campus, located at Circle X Ranch in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, will be operated by NatureBridge in partnership with the National Park Service.
The campus, located within a one hour drive of major urban centers, is a significant step toward the park’s goal to better serve youth in Southern California.
“Santa Monica Mountains Institute will provide an outdoor laboratory for learning and discovery that cannot be replicated by books or classrooms,” said Woody Smeck, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Superintendent. “For many students, this will be their first experience in a national park setting that hopefully inspires a life-long appreciation for our natural world.”
Of the nearly 5 million school-aged children in the greater Los Angeles area, fewer than 4 percent have access to residential educational opportunities through their schools. According to NatureBridge CEO Susan Smartt, NatureBridge plans to fill that gap and ultimately serve up to 10,000 local youth annually with multi-day field science education programs.
“We could not have asked for a better partner than Woody Smeck and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area,” Smartt said. “Together we are going to help change the lives of thousands of Southern California youth and help a whole new generation make personal and lasting connections to this wonderful place.”
Santa Monica Mountains Institute will launch its first programs for grades 5 through 9 in March 2010.
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