top of page
7E7A4898 (1).jpg

Community Connection to Wildlands

In partnership with the Watershed Conservation Authority

WCA Logo (1).jpg

About our Partnership.

WCA Logo (1).jpg

This award is in partnership with the Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA). Established in 2003, the WCA is a local public entity of the State of California exercising joint powers of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. The WCA is funded primarily by grants and receives limited funding from JPA Partner contributions and lease revenues for operational expenses.

​

The WCA vision of Connecting Communities through Nature embraces a ‘work with nature’ approach to watershed enhancement to improve water conservation and supply reliability, as well as providing increased access to open space and recreational opportunities within the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers Watersheds.

​

Visit: wca.ca.gov/rfp_for_community_connection_to_wildlands

Our Camping Trips.

Nunez & Nunez Consulting Services, Inc. (NNCS) believes the land and water surrounding us and beneath our feet share stories of healing, lessons, growth, life, and inspiration. NNCS believes the land and water surrounding us and beneath our feet share stories of healing, lessons, growth, life, and inspiration. Through immersive and intentional journeys of outdoor storytelling, NNCS is dedicated to unlocking those stories and creating new ones for generations to come. In 2024 & 2025 our trips brought 304 youth from SELA into the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to Crystal Lake Recreation Area, Camp Eaton, and San Dimas Canyon Nature Center. Through funding through the WCA, overnight camping trips are free of charge with essential camping equipment, meals, transportation, and programming provided. Each trip has a maximum of 12 youth, ages 11-13 or 14-18 years old with a minimum of three experienced, trained, and certified outdoor instructors (4:1 participant-to-instructor ratio). For some trips, we may allow up to 20 participants, with a minimum of four instructors (5:1 participant-to-instructor ratio).

​

The Community Connection to Wildlands Program (CCtoW) provides access to public lands and outdoor recreational activities for Southeast Los Angeles County youth. The purpose of the Program is to improve access to nature for youth in urban areas with a focus on historically underserved communities. The work of the WCA and selected Consultant(s) under the Program will support a San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy’s objective to support the “public’s enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and educational experiences on

public lands.”

​​​

Interested in Learning More? Contact us at 909-276-5550.​​​​​​

Our Learning Objectives.

Transformative Moments: To create transformational moments during activities that encourage healing, peace, joy, deep thought, and reflection.

​

Intentional Movement: To understand all movement is a transfer of energy that permeates within and around us; implicating our everyday lives physically and emotionally.


Leadership Cultivation: To uplift the unique voices and stories of participants through confidence building, resiliency centering, and learning about oneself.  


Environmental Reciprocity: An Indigenous cultural principle of learning, sharing, and growing from the stories of the past, present, and future through a reciprocal relationship with all. 


Community Sharing: To naturally create space for intentional community building that integrates storytelling, thoughtful and fun group activities, and supportive peer relationships.


Outdoor Well-Being: Through opportunities to explore, steward, and grow outdoor experiences and skills, by cultivating self discovery and growing their relationship with nature.

7E7A5019 (1).jpg

Our Leadership Team.

NNCS staff and field instructors share over 50 years of experience working with diverse youth as coaches, educators, and outdoor instructors. Having led over 100 camping, backpacking, and day hikes our instructors understand trip safety, planning, coordination, and implementation. Click here to learn more about our Program Safety & Risk Management.

ZFH01005~2_edited.jpg

Nathan Nunez

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

A descendant of a Native American village in the San Gabriel Mountains, Nathan is guided by his cultural practices of living in a reciprocal relationship with nature. Nathan is the founder, CEO, and owner of NNCS, and in his free time leads a volunteer group called Canyon City Environmental Project (CCEP). He is an active leader, instructor, and advocate in the outdoor community. Nathan holds a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, is a seasoned sports coach/Recreation supervisor, and worked previously as a Health Educator for an urban Indian Health clinic. His work is grounded in hands-on interventions and practice by working directly with the community. Nathan Nunez has provided outdoor instruction, cultural education, group leadership, and coaching for a thousand people in the last 5+ years. His vast experience working with different cultures and ages provides him with a unique ability to form enduring and authentic relationships with the communities he works with.

​

Trainings & Certifications: 

1709698910949.png

Michael Garcia

Executive Advisor & Development

Specialist

Michael Garcia began his connection to nature by exploring the Los Angeles River. While growing up in the city of Maywood in the mid-1970s, a mentor by the name of Jaime Rodelo requested that Michael “skip” school so he could explore the natural watershed of the San Gabriel River. Jaime challenged Michael that day by spending a couple hours cleaning up the immediate area of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Michael has continued the inspiration and foundation that Jaime created that day in the Angeles National Forest. Since 2002 Michael has been involved in outdoor education.

 

He has instructed, trained, and inspired future stewards with various outdoor organizations (Outward Bound Adventure- REI-Leave No Trace) Whether practicing Leave No Trace or instructing Wilderness First Aid, Michael has kept his roots deep within the Los Angeles and San Gabriel watersheds.

​

Trainings & Certifications: 

IMG_3833.jpg

Carol Martinez

Project Manager

Carol Martinez is the project manager for Community Connections to Wildland (CCW) where she exercises her passion for community empowerment and growth through experience. For over 13 years, she has worked with youth in the non-profit and education sector in various capacities and has witnessed first-hand the benefits of recreating outside. Carol received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Exercise Science from Cal State Northridge and her Masters in Sport Management from Cal State Long Beach. She is a proud graduate and is now an instructor of Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) Diverse Outdoors Leaders Institute (DOLI).  

 

Trainings & Certifications:​

​

PXL_20240718_030254933.jpg
bottom of page