BLM-CO: Connecting Underserved Youth to Colorado's Public Lands Through Outreach and Education

Although over 200,000 visitors enjoyed outdoor recreation in the Browns Canyon National Monument (BCNM) in 2017, there is a growing need to engage underserved Colorado youth and families, who currently represent a minor fraction of current BCNM visitors, in the stewardship of public lands. Latinos represent many of the residents and landowners surrounding public lands. Because Latino youth from neighboring communities have not been engaged, visitorship is low to BCNM from these communities as they have not been made aware of the many recreational pursuits found on public lands, such as whitewater rafting, hiking, and fishing. Furthermore, Hispanic/Latino residents in Salida number approximately 15.29%. Colorado's minority population comprises more than 34% of the overall population. Therefore, there is an unmet need to conduct outreach and engagement of youth and local residents in the appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage found on public lands. Through this project, diverse communities, in particular children ages K-12, would benefit from awareness of the varied recreational and cultural assets founds on public lands while supporting citizen science and expanding classroom education opportunities. The BLM desires a partnership with a cooperator or cooperators to provide hands-on or experiential learning experiences on public lands while installing awareness and appreciation of our nation's cultural treasures and natural wonders. This project also positively addresses barriers that create disparities in public land use while promoting access to outdoor recreational use.Through educational programs that "bring the monument to youth" coupled with field visits that expose youth to monument resources, objects, and values, this project supports innovative, experiential learning for young people from Lake County, San Luis Valley, and other Colorado counties. This project brings the beauty of our rich cultural and natural resources available on public lands to diverse youth residing in the local communities of Chaffee, Lake, and other neighboring counties. The BLM desires a partnership with a cooperator or cooperators to provide hands-on or experiential learning experiences using local public lands while instilling awareness and appreciation of our nation's cultural treasures and natural wonders.