A Tale of Transformation up on San Bruno Mountain
by Barbie Levasseur, Executive Vice President, South San Francisco Education Foundation
As Baden Continuation High School students walked on the field to participate in the ropes course at San Bruno Mountain Park, most of them seemed cautious, but excited. For many of them this was their first field trip since elementary school. Not all of them had their curiosity piqued though. I noticed two students standing off to the side nonchalantly. When I introduced myself to Leo*, he jokingly gave me a fake name as his friend, Ella*, was getting a replacement name tag. “Did you lose the first one?” asked Jo, one of the Thornton Wilderness School Students who runs the ropes course. “No,” replied Ella, “I just… threw it…” Unfazed, Jo wrote Ella’s name on a new nametag and passed it to her with a smile. She’d probably seen this scene enough times before to foresee the transformation about to occur.
Latino Conservation Week is a Success in San Mateo County!
The San Mateo County Parks Foundation kicked off our first Latino Conservation Week event, Caminata en la Naturaleza y Tacos at Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve, on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in collaboration with the Hispanic Access Foundation, San Mateo County Parks, Friends of Edgewood, Redwood City Together, and San Mateo County Health. Latino Conservation Week (LCW) is an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation and has a goal of engaging and shining a spotlight on the Latino/e community’s strong conservation values. LCW provides an opportunity for the Latino/e community to enjoy the outdoors while learning how to protect our natural resources. This year, Latino Conservation Week was from Saturday, July 15th through Sunday, July 23rd with events happening nationwide. Since this was the first time the Parks Foundation hosted an event for LCW, we decided to pitch the opportunity at the North Fair Oaks Children’s Collaborative for Community Success Neighborhood Action Team (CCCSNAT) meeting. We were seeking a local organization that served people who had yet to experience their first field trip to a San Mateo County Park. After presenting to CCCSNAT, we received a request from Upward Scholars.
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SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION
General Information
The San Mateo County Parks Foundation was established in 1998 to provide additional financial support for the recreational, environmental and educational programs and projects of the San Mateo County Department of Parks. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors and has a small staff.
The Foundation seeks grants and contributions from individuals, foundations and businesses. Recognition of gifts is done in accordance with the county's approved donor recognition guidelines. The Foundation does not manage the projects directly. The San Mateo County Department of Parks is responsible for the design, permitting, contracting and maintenance of the projects.
Mission Statement
The San Mateo County Parks Foundation inspires people to care for, learn about and enjoy our parks.
Land Acknowledgement
The San Mateo County Parks Foundation’s office is located on the ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush and Muwekma Ohlone peoples, the original inhabitants and land stewards of the San Francisco Peninsula. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living, working and recreating here on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders and future generations of caretakers of the Ohlone people.
Fundraising Priorities and Current Goals
In partnership with the San Mateo County Department of Parks, the Foundation raises funds to support projects, programs and volunteers for benefit parks and visitors.
We are committed to conserving and improving the quality of our county parks for current and future generations to enjoy.