100% San Juan Initiative

Seeds to Stars: Bloomfield Youth Outdoor Learning is a 15 month outdoor education and workforce readiness program for approximately 25 middle school students from Mesa Alta Junior High in Bloomfield, New Mexico. Based at Gathings Community Gardens, adjacent school grounds, and nearby parks and trails, the program increases equitable access to outdoor recreation, environmental and climate learning, creative expression, and job skills for youth who face financial, transportation, language, and opportunity barriers. The grant will fund planning, instruction, transportation, supplies, and evaluation. Primary goals are to: 1) increase the time Bloomfield youth spend in meaningful outdoor recreation and nature based learning; 2) build knowledge and skills in environmental stewardship, agriculture, and local food systems; 3) develop concrete job, leadership, and financial literacy skills connected to farming, teamwork, and community service; and 4) nurture social emotional resilience, cultural identity, and creative connection to the land through outdoor arts. Objectives include engaging each participant in 40–60 hours of outdoor programming, integrating trauma informed social emotional learning into activities, and supporting youth in co-leading one project or event by the end of the grant period. The program serves rural, primarily low income youth who attend Mesa Alta Junior High and live in and around Bloomfield, including students with special needs. The lead instructor is a bilingual special education teacher, allowing activities and communication to be adapted for diverse learning needs, language backgrounds, and ability levels. Programming will be accessible, culturally responsive, and inclusive of youth who may not typically see themselves reflected in outdoor, leadership, or arts programs, with specific attention to Diné/Navajo culture and astronomy. Grant funded outdoor activities include agriculture and farming at Gathings Community Gardens (planting, tending, harvesting, composting, soil and water conservation); environmental education and general nature appreciation in nearby parks and on local trails (plant and wildlife observation, water cycle and climate lessons, trail stewardship); and evening astronomy events that connect science with cultural stories, traditional knowledge, and family participation. Youth will engage in outdoor based art projects to interpret and express their relationship with land, water, and sky. Social Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning from Emory University, a trauma informed framework, will be woven through activities to support self awareness, compassion, relationship building, and community care. Families will be encouraged to attend stargazing, harvest, and art sharing events to strengthen relationships. The program timeline runs from July 2026 through December 2027. From July–September 2026, the team will conduct community planning sessions with youth, school staff, families, and partners to refine activities, incorporate student perspectives, and finalize schedules, accessibility supports, and safety plans. From October 2026–May 2027, the cohort will meet for monthly outdoor sessions focused on seasonal gardening, environmental topics, SEE Learning practices, outdoor arts, and introductory job and leadership skills. During June–August 2027, teachers and local partners will lead weekly, longer outdoor days that integrate gardening, trail based learning, workforce related tasks, and family inclusive astronomy and art nights. From September–November 2027, youth will complete extension projects, with evaluation and reporting completed by December 2027.