Planning LandPaths hut system: hut-to-hut
dedicated to hands-on land stewardship
by Sam Demas, May 2018
QUESTION: What kind of organization is planning a new hut system and is dedicated to connecting people with the land by:
- sponsoring regular trekking and kayaking trips for youth, families, and others?
- operating several community gardens and environmentally themed summer camps?
- offering workshops, classes and outings linking teens to the outdoors?
- conducting early literacy reading programs in the outdoors?
- successfully partnering with local schools, government agencies, non-profits and land owners?
- focusing efforts on working with the Latino community and offering scholarships to up to 40% of participants in their programs?
ANSWER: LandPaths, a unique land trust in Sonoma County, California.
Over the past 22 years LandPaths’ dynamic, creative, and values-based approach to land stewardship has engendered widespread respect and tremendous community support. This is staffed by 17 consummate cooperators and operate in a wide range of partnerships. They successfully fund-raise to provide scholarships for many educational programs targeting youth from Santa Rosa and Sonoma County.