Sonoma County Parks Foundation
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We can inspire the next generation of park stewards

A particularly exciting new development is Regional Parks' Youth Career Pathways Program. A year-round Youth Crew is hired to work on park natural resources projects in the community. The Youth Crew gives young people the opportunity to explore outdoor careers and learn about an array of environmental education and natural resources topics. Specifically, the Regional Parks Youth Crew will:
  • Give youth age 17-24 who have had to overcome challenges in their lives an opportunity for paid employment
  • Help these youth develop critical workplace readiness skills that will enable them to maintain successful employment in the future.
  • Provide a launching pad for youth where they can learn about careers in environmental fields, strengthen their environmental ethics and ultimately transition into permanent positions at Regional Parks or other environmental organizations.
  • As a measure of success, the Youth Crew has been in place for only two years and already three young people have been hired for full-time Regional parks' employment.
The Parks Foundation is currently raising funds to support this program, which costs $27,700 per month for an 8-member Youth Crew. Youth earn $16.44 per hour.  Please contact Executive Director Melissa Kelley if you would like to support this effort.
WATCH OUR YOUTH
​PROGRAMS VIDEO
Regional Parks’ Youth Crew would not be the robust program it is today without continued funding from the Parks Foundation. Foundation Funds purchased the crew van that transports our crew members, many of whom are not licensed to drive when they enter the program, to the worksite each day. Foundation funding pays for many of the specialized tools that the crew uses, such as chainsaws and line trimmers, and helps cover the cost of crew wages on professional development days, when crew members are trained on high-value skills such as welding. In the absence of these funds, the program would be significantly less impactful."

– Mark Morley, Park Programs Manager,
   Sonoma County Regional Parks


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EN ESPAÑOL
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OUR MISSION
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation raises funds, fosters partnerships and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks. We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports programs and projects at 60+ Sonoma County parks and trails, including popular destinations like Spring Lake, Doran Beach, Sonoma Valley, Ragle Ranch, Foothill Regional Park, Tolay Lake Regional Park and more.
OUR ADDRESS
Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation
2300 County Center Drive, #120A
Santa Rosa, California 95403
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Copyright 2023 Sonoma County Parks Foundation
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TAX ID: 68-0421813
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​Regional Parks and become a member. 
  • Home
  • OUR WORK
    • Climate Action
    • PARKS & TRAILS >
      • Doran
      • Foothill
      • Helen Putnam
      • Hood Mountain >
        • Bill & Dave Legacy Fund
      • Maxwell Farms
      • Spring Lake
      • Taylor Mountain
    • PARKS PROGRAMS >
      • Camperships
      • Youth Career Pathways
      • YES! Youth Exploring Sonoma
      • Russian River Water Safety Patrol
      • Vamos a Nadar
      • Science Field Trips
  • EVENTS
    • Water Bark
    • Sonoma Harvest Music Festival
  • MAKE A DONATION
    • Ways to Give
    • Park Pals
    • Sponsorships
    • Corporate Matching Programs
    • Legacy Society
    • SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
  • VIDEOS & PUBLICATIONS
    • VIDEO: 2022 We Owe it All to You
    • VIDEO: MEET THE SNOWY PLOVER
    • VIDEO: 2021 Celebrating An Amazing Year
    • VIDEO: YOUTH PROGRAMS
    • VIDEO: CAMPERSHIPS
    • VIDEO: Meet the Parks Foundation
    • VIDEO: You are the Foundation
    • VIDEO: Working Together at Helen Putnam Regional Park
    • VIDEO: The Trails You Love
    • STORIES: FOR THE LOVE OF PARKS
    • E-News
    • Media Archive >
      • Archive: Foothill Regional Park
      • Archive: Hood Mountain
  • ABOUT US
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff