Mario Mendez with Wilderness Youth Project participants (WYP photo, taken pre-COVID)
Santa Barbara is a city surrounded by natural beauty, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, yet students here can still struggle to connect with their environment. Wilderness Youth Project is dedicated to helping students find their place in the natural world, learning confidence and a sense of community. We talked with Program Director Sharon Tollefson and Lead Program Staff Mario Mendez to learn how WYP is adapting their programs in the COVID era. We also talk to our favorite WYP alumna, Cassidy Yost, about her WYP memories.
Bits of music you might have noticed: Yo La Tengo, "Georgia Vs. Yo La Tengo," John Ruth (Rushkan), "Stalk the Wild Animal," Fad Gadget, "Back to Nature"
This episode first aired on KCSB FM 91.9 on December 15, 2020.