Peoples' Self-Help Housing

Peoples' Self-Help Housing

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Chris Davis
805-687-3322

Local Kids Get in Touch with Our Area Habitats

Partnership between Peoples' Self-Help Housing and California Coastal Commission Brings Environmental Education to Local Children

Santa Barbara, CA, June 17, 2002—Through a "Whale Tail" grant from the California Coastal Commission's Whale Tail License Plate Fund, Peoples' Self-Help Housing kids are learning about local environmental/coastal issues.

The program is for kids between 7-13 living in specific Peoples' Self-Help Housing facilities from five multi-family, low income permanent rental sites in Santa Barbara County including: The city of Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, and Carpinteria. The program focuses on age appropriate education and recreational activities to enhance their awareness of the coastal environment. The program will reach and educate between 250-300 children.

"Whale Tail" activities take place through Santa Barbara Environmental Council's South Coast Watershed Resource Center located at Arroyo Burro Beach. Activities provided include educational information on the area's natural watershed flow, effect and sources of pollution, beach clean-up, testing water samples, and introspective hikes along the Arroyo Burro creek and beach. Additional field trips include Hollister Ranch tide pools, Storke Natural Wetland, and the Ellwood and Carpinteria Bluffs.

The program will also involve other North County Peoples' Self-Help Housing kids and will take place through the Morro Bay Estuary Center located in Morro Bay. The program will include visits to Tidelands Park, Elfin Forest, Sweet Springs, Los Osos Oaks, Morro Dunes and MEGA Morro Estuary Natural Preserves.

Peoples' Self-Help Housing is an award winning non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience developing affordable housing and community facilities for low-income and special needs households. PSHH also provides technical assistance in the design and implementation of community development programs for numerous cities, counties, and community groups.

The Coastal Commission's Whale Tail License Plate funds a wide variety of coastal and marine education projects throughout California.

--Media Opportunity--

On Thursday, June 20, at 1 PM, twenty local children will participate in the program at the Watershed Resource Center, Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach at the end of Las Positas).