politics
Stars, trees, mountains: Santa Rosa outdoor youth program is using nature to combat gun violence
LandPaths takes at-risk youth out of their concrete, urban environments and into the natural one, offering many their first encounters with the land
TL;DR
- Santa Rosa is using outdoor youth programs to combat gun violence by connecting at-risk teens with nature.
- LandPaths, an environmental conservancy, takes youth from urban settings to natural areas for activities like hiking and camping.
- The program aims to provide a change of scenery, helping participants realize there's more to life than gangs and violence.
- Many teens in the program have never had a personal connection with nature before participating.
- The initiative is part of Santa Rosa's broader violence prevention efforts, which address underlying factors like poverty and trauma.
- There's a concern that budget cuts could jeopardize the program's future, despite its demonstrated success.
- The program provides tools and opportunities for youth, aiming to prevent them from turning to firearms.
- Easier access to firearms, including ghost guns, is a growing concern for law enforcement in Santa Rosa.