Ventana Wildlife Society handles the transportation, letting youth and families enjoy nature without worrying about the hassles of the commute. We schedule outings, arrange pick-ups, and provide extra resources that enhances the experience and stimulates the next adventure.

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Come on an outing with us and enjoy the benefits of being in nature!

• PATIENTS REFERRED BY A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

What are the next steps?
​We have free of charge outings for the whole family that we hope you will sign up for; Single Day Adventures (kayaking, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Elkhorn Slough, Whale Watching, and more) and Big Sur Family Campouts. See the calendar below, in the Resources section.

We will find parks and activities in your neighborhood and community that best fit your personal needs. Fill out the questionnaire below and we will contact you to set up a zoom call. Start your wellness journey today!

take this questionnaire

• SELF-REFERRAL TO A NATURE COACH

What will a Nature Coach do for you?
Our Bilingual Nature Coach Program provides information and recommendations on how and where to access the outdoors for wellness in your community. During your free consultation, we will ask questions and highlight local parks best suited to your interests and goals, and suggest ways to incorporate nature into your daily life. 

Please take a few moments to fill out this brief questionnaire. ​A Ventana Wildlife Society Nature Coach will then contact you to set up a zoom call to help start your journey to wellness.

take this questionnaire

• RESOURCES

Explore on your own: sign up for one of our free program events, look for parks and open spaces near you, be prepared for your outing.

CALENDAR OF FREE EVENTS

These free of charge programs are for our Community Hubs. 

Find outdoor spaces near you

¡Encuentre un parque cerca de usted!
Hay todo tipo de parques gratuitos para visitar.

Parques URBANOS

• City of Monterey – Parks and Recreation
• City of Salinas – Recreation and Community Services​
• North County Recreation & Park District

Parques del CONDADO

• ​Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District – Parks & Preserves
• Former Fort Ord Travel Camp
• Jacks Peak Park
• Laguna Seca Recreation Area​
• Manzanita Park
• Royal Oaks Park
• San Lorenzo Park
• Toro Park

Parques ESTATALES

• Fremont Peak State Park
• Monterey State Historic Park
• Moss Landing State Wildlife Area
• Salinas River State Beach

Parques NACIONALES

• Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Fort Ord National Monument
• Los Padres National Forest
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Pinnacles National Park
• Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge​​

be prepared when you go outside

IR A UN PARQUE
​

Qué traer:​

Botella de agua reutilizable

Una chaqueta abrigada

Gafas de sol y sombrero

Bocadillos saludables

Zapatos comodos

benefits of being outside

Beneficios:​​

Salud física

​Salud mental 

Salud  cardiovascular

​Salud familiar 

• FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

LEARN MORE ABOUT OR JOIN OUR NATURE PRECRIPTION PROGRAM

RE-ORDER NATURE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM MATERIALS

Downloadable program materials

Downloadable

• Wellness Through Nature Brochure (PDF)
• Office Poster, Spanish (PDF)
• Office Poster, English (PDF)

What Participants Are Saying:
"For us as a family, nature is very important and essential in our lives. Personally, it has served us as a source of many beautiful experiences and also as therapy. We go into nature to forget everything. It is very important for us." 

"Being in this camp experience, is something special, more than anything for my children, because as a family, we've become more distant. The program is beautiful because it allows me to spend time with my children."

• PARTICIPATING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

We are truly inspired by Dr. Pedro Moreno, and honored to partner with him to increase access to healthy outdoor experiences for his patients.

participating health care professionals

Dr Pedro Moreno - E Alisal, Salinas
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​MEET OUR INSPIRATION - DOCTOR MORENO

Dr. Pedro Moreno has been a family physician for over 20 years in east Salinas, an area that is 92% Hispanic (42% monolingual Spanish and indigenous dialects). Thirty-eight percent of children live under the federal poverty level, and 63% of families spend over 30% of their income on rent. Dr. Moreno’s patients are all from low-income migrant farm-working families, many who live in crowded conditions and are underinsured or uninsured. His patients are commonly affected by chronic pesticide exposure, food insecurity, mental health issues including stress, depression and anxiety, and obesity along with related chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and high cholesterol. 

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​Dr. Moreno found himself struggling with the knowledge that he could only do so much for his patients, and that systemic issues such as lack of access to healthy foods, activities and outdoor experiences needed to be addressed to increase overall wellness. He applied to and was selected for participation in the University of California San Francisco Champion Provider Fellowship, through which he is developing innovative programs to address the obesity and diabetes epidemic in East Salinas. He runs a Wellness Program for Obese Children and Farmworker Families. He has secured access to vouchers for his patients to use for fresh fruits and produce at the local farmers market, partners with a local gym to have fitness instructors volunteer to lead fitness classes at the clinic and is now working with VWS to develop nature prescription programs. We are truly inspired by Dr. Moreno, and honored to partner with him to increase access to healthy outdoor experiences for his patients.

Dr. Moreno (left) with
Executive Director, Kelly Sorenson

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Nature Prescription Program supported by State Coastal Conservancy.