Young Naturalists celebrate Earth Day with lasting impact across California
As the world celebrates Earth Day, a statewide success story is unfolding in California – one that highlights the power of youth, community and nature to shape a more sustainable future. From the coastal dunes of Humboldt County to the Sierra mountains and the valleys of Riverside County, more than 550 young adults have earned certification as UC California Naturalists, thanks to a unique initiative led by UC Environmental Stewards, a statewide program within UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
A team of community educators from UC Environmental Stewards has collaborated with partners from the California Conservation Corps, California 4-H Youth Development Program and local community-based organizations to deliver 27 California Naturalist Certification courses connecting young adults ages 18 to 25 with California’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
The project was part of the Youth Community Access Grant Program, funded by the state’s Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64), and ran from July 2022 through March 2025.
“This initiative is about more than environmental education – it’s about equity, access and creating lifelong connections with nature,” said Karyn Utsumi, a UC Environmental Stewards community education specialist. “Many of these young people are experiencing California’s landscapes in new ways, and they’re walking away with tools for leadership, environmental stewardship and community impact.”
Participants echoed that sentiment. One described the course as “one of the most incredible experiences of my life!” Another shared, “This experience has been vital to understanding what I want to do with my future, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and urge others to take it.”
For those interested in the program but concerned about the cost, UC Environmental Stewards and its partners are committed to lowering barriers to participation. While course partners set the price of certification, many offer creative solutions such as sliding-scale fees and scholarships. UC Environmental Stewards supports these efforts by reducing their certification fee whenever partners provide discounted or scholarship-rate registrations.
Grant projects like the Youth Community Access program have also helped cover registration costs for new audiences. The success of this project has paved the way for pursuing additional grants to continue supporting collaborations with the California Conservation Corps and other local conservation corps.
Through hands-on experiences and place-based learning, the project helped Corpsmembers deepen their understanding of local ecosystems and cultural resources and develop career pathways in environmental and conservation work.
“One of the most rewarding parts was watching Corpsmembers, who may not have seen themselves in these roles at first, suddenly light up when they realized, ‘I can do this. I belong here,’” Utsumi said.
Participants gained more than just knowledge – they gained new perspectives. “Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who taught us what they know and gave us options to consider when we consider our future careers and the impact on the nature around us,” said one student. Another added, “This class really opened my mind to how much an ecosystem has to be in balance, and too much of one species can affect the habitat and actually completely change it.”
Hands-on learning, statewide impact
The program’s strength lies in its partnerships with community-based organizations and California Conservation Corps centers across eight regions:
- Friends of the Dunes & Fortuna CCC Center (Humboldt County)
- UC Hopland Research & Extension Center & Ukiah CCC (Mendocino County)
- San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School (Santa Clara County)
- Chico Creek Nature Center & Magalia/Chico CCC (Butte County)
- American River Conservancy & Placer CCC Center (El Dorado & Placer Counties)
- Lake Tahoe Community College & Lake Tahoe CCC (El Dorado County)
- Nature Up Close & Los Padres CCC (San Luis Obispo County)
- Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District & Los Piños CCC (Riverside & San Bernardino Counties)
Each course integrated field-based science, environmental literacy, community engagement and environmental interpretation skills. Participants often continued their involvement as restoration volunteers, nature guides or early-career educators.
In addition to certifying over 550 Corpsmembers as California Naturalists, the project advanced scientific literacy, promoted civic engagement and enhanced participants’ connection to nature. Evaluation results showed gains in environmental knowledge and confidence using scientific tools and research methods. The participants also created short public-service videos highlighting the importance of natural and cultural resource protection.
A growing statewide network
Under the leadership of Gregory Ira, director of UC Environmental Stewards, the program thrives as a statewide collective impact network. With more than 68 community partners who have trained over 10,000 participants and certified more than 8,900 California Naturalists and Climate Stewards, UC Environmental Stewards fosters environmental literacy, climate resilience, civic engagement, health and wellness, and college and career readiness.
This initiative is a powerful example of how UC ANR fulfills its Principles of Community by investing in the growth, education and empowerment of all Californians. Through science, outreach and inclusive partnerships, UC ANR brings research-based solutions and opportunities to communities across the state – ensuring that every young person, no matter where they live, has a chance to connect with the land, learn from it and lead the way forward.
For more information or to find a course near you, visit UC Environmental Stewards.
