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 Jessica Holloway at 707 544-7284, ext. 104 or [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!

Stories + News

Stories from the Field

Six nature campers walk on a trail through the grasslands at Bohemia Ecological Preserve. There is a forest in the background and a blue sky above.

Reflections on Interconnection in a California Coastal Prairie

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by Miles Sarvis-Wilburn Stewardship Field Specialist The grasslands at Bohemia Ecological Preserve are California coastal prairie, a protected and unique habitat that contains an incredible amount of species …

Reflections on Interconnection in a California Coastal Prairie Read Article

A person in a green t-shirt pulls French broom, a woody, long plant, from the ground.

Fostering a Love of the Land as a LandPaths’ Intern: An Interview with Andrew Magdaleno

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An internship is an excellent way to gain experience in the field of community conservation in Sonoma County. In the second installment of a new interview series …

Fostering a Love of the Land as a LandPaths’ Intern: An Interview with Andrew Magdaleno Read Article

Fostering a Love of the Land as a LandPaths’ Intern – An Interview with Calvin Howell

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Photo by Emmaline Jones – Willowflower Photography An internship is an excellent way to get involved with LandPaths in diverse ways. In this first installation of a …

Fostering a Love of the Land as a LandPaths’ Intern – An Interview with Calvin Howell Read Article

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