Click here to listen to the recent KQED program on youth and Adventure Education.
At the Stewardship Council, we believe that outdoor experiences (whether in urban or wilderness areas) can positively transform young people personally, socially, and academically. Unfortunately, the most needy and underserved youth have little access to these life-changing experiences. By providing much-needed grant monies to existing community parks and youth development programs, as well as new programs in underserved communities, the Stewardship Council’s Youth Investment Program has been working to make a difference in the lives of young Californians. In doing so, we are helpingnurture the future stewards of our state and its precious natural resources.
The Stewardship Council is a private foundation whose mission includes providing resources to establish a permanent program for young people who currently don’t have much opportunity to connect with California’s natural beauty. The Stewardship Council is funded by a 2003 settlement agreement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E’s financial commitment is to provide $30 million for the Stewardship Council’s Youth Investment Program and $70 million for the Land Conservation Program, payable in 10 equal installments. PG&E will make its final payment of $10 million in January 2013.
Since 2006, the Stewardship Council has awarded more than $12 million in youth program grants. Our grants have gone to more than 180 youth-serving organizations and have helped fund a broad range of programs and infrastructure projects serving more than 260,000 youth in PG&E’s service area throughout California.