The name of our program is Santa Cruz Kids in Nature, or KIN. We chose the name KIN because we believe that childhood is a time to develop a sense of belonging — to a place, to a community, and to the more-than-human world we share our lives with. Our work is rooted in the idea that nature is not simply something to visit or study, but something we are already a part of. Through time spent outdoors, children build relationships with the landscapes around them, developing curiosity, care, confidence, and a deeper sense of place.
KIN’s approach is informed by the work of environmental educators, ecologists, and writers who explore the relationships between people and the places they inhabit. We are especially inspired by:
Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, whose writing explores reciprocity, gratitude, and the ways humans relate to the living world.
Kat Anderson, author of Tending the Wild, whose research documents the deep ecological relationships between first nation's people and California landscapes.
Enrique Salmón, whose work on the concept of kincentricity explores the understanding of humans as connected participants within a larger web of life.
These voices remind us of the importance of curiosity, humility, and care in our relationship with the natural world. At KIN, we seek to create opportunities for children to experience those relationships firsthand — through exploration, observation, play, and a growing sense of belonging in the places they call home.
About Us
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