Ventura Land Trust (VLT) has received a competitive grant from the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant Program to expand coastal education opportunities for Santa Paula youth.
The funding is part of a $2 million statewide investment announced April 17, 2026, supporting coastal education, conservation, and public access. The Coastal Commission selected 47 projects from a record 434 applications.
The $25,544 grant will support El mar nos conecta (“The ocean connects us”), a new VLT education program that connects Santa Paula elementary students to Ventura County’s coastal and watershed environments through hands-on learning.
Approximately 150 students from Title I schools will participate in three field trips during the 2026–2027 school year. These experiences will take place across beaches, estuaries, and inland watersheds, with an emphasis on repeated exposure to build comfort, confidence, and long-term connection to the outdoors.
The program removes key barriers to access by covering transportation, materials, and instruction. Curriculum is bilingual, aligned with California Next Generation Science Standards, and incorporates Indigenous perspectives in partnership with Chumash elder and cultural practitioner Julie Tumamait-Stenslie.
“This program is about more than just visiting the coast,” said Education Manager Sarah “Trudy” Trudeau. “It’s about ensuring that every child has equitable access to the outdoors and feels welcomed and empowered in these spaces.”
Students will engage in hands-on exploration, journaling, and lessons on coastal ecosystems, including biodiversity, food webs, and stewardship.
By program completion, 2nd–5th grade students will have:
- Participated in 9 hours of outdoor, place-based education
- Completed stewardship projects such as habitat restoration, beach cleanups, and migratory bird counts
- Contributed to citizen science efforts supporting broader environmental understanding
