For Teens and Young Adults

Inspired Forward

Inspired Forward brings together positive, life-changing, and leadership-based experiences for teens and young adults with the opportunities presented by the land: adventure, learning, healing, stewardship, relaxation, and community. We partner with individual schools, school districts, and Restorative Justice clubs across Sonoma County.

Inspired Forward offers teens and young adults:

  • Environmental literacy through hands-on activities aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
  • The chance to explore the beneficial relationship between humans and the land, and the development of a stewardship ethic through fun and rewarding projects.
  • A recognition of their amazing power and responsibility to act on behalf of the earth.
  • An invitation to attend a three-night, four-day Spring Break Trek from the ocean through public and private lands in Sonoma County.

History of Inspired Forward

In 2012, Inspired Forward rose out of a promise made by Executive Director Craig Anderson after the devastating Sandy Hook school shooting. He saw the importance of creating a sense of belonging for teens and young adults in our community. Drawing on LandPaths history of creating transformative outdoor experiences, we created Inspired Forward. We leverage the power of time in nature with peers and adult mentors to combat violence, strengthen community, and empower youth to make more positive life choices.

Want to get involved in Inspired Forward? Contact Youth Initiative Manager Rebecca Carrillo Steinrueck at [email protected]

Jose Gutierrez, 8th Grader and Inspired Forward participant

" I feel really good and accomplished a lot of things. We learned how to communicate with each other, and what’s outside of our cities because we don’t see that a lot. It’s better to have nature around us. "

Thanks to these partners for helping to make Inspired Forward possible!

Sonoma County Agriculture and Open Space District California State Coastal Conservancy

Stories + News

Stories from the Field

What Happens Now? A Letter from Executive Director Craig Anderson to Friends of LandPaths

November 14, 2024

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The results of the U.S. presidential election, one week ago, sent shockwaves through our community, neighborhoods, and families. It makes a person pause, and it certainly should. At a time when it seemed there was momentum to move ahead, for many people what seems a U-turn has emerged, surrounding us. Click one of the tags above to read the entire post.

Community Gardens Internship  

November 11, 2024

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Are you interested in learning all about what it takes to run a successful community garden? Consider becoming a community garden intern with LandPaths! Bayer Farm, Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood, and Jeff Bodwin Community Garden, in southwest Santa Rosa, together contain 120 garden plots adopted out to community members in addition to a teaching garden for students to learn about growing food and nutrition. The internship is offered on a part-time basis, unpaid, up to 20 hours per week, with an option of work in exchange for course credit. Click on one of the tags above to learn more.

Caring for the Land at Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Educational Center

September 12, 2024

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Stewardship is a strengthening of the relationship between person and land. When we steward, we connect directly with the plants and animals, fungi and watersheds, but we also connect with history. This is because for tens of thousands of years people have lived on this land and cared for it, as we try to now.

In Sonoma County, these people are the Pomo, Coast Miwok, and Mishewal Wappo. They are represented through various federally recognized and unrecognized tribes. On August 31, we had the privilege of joining community stewards and Sonoma Earth School in an amazing day of stewardship at Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development, Inc. Click one the tags above to read the entire story.

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