Wonder Wood Ranch Awarded $150,000 Youth Community Access Grant

Wonder Wood Ranch has been awarded $150,000 through the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program, a statewide initiative expanding outdoor and cultural experiences for youth across California. The program, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom as part of a $38 million investment, aims to help young people from underserved communities build meaningful connections with nature through field trips, recreation, and community-based learning.

With this new funding, Wonder Wood Ranch will expand its TAILS Aftercare Program, providing therapeutic, nature-based experiences for youth in Greenfield, King City, Salinas, and Soledad. The project will serve approximately 250 participants through field trips, hands-on interaction with rescued animals, and time spent on a working ranch, offering healing and mentorship through the power of outdoor engagement.

Ashley Martinez of CPRA Strategies led the grant writing process, from the pre-submission meetings to developing the program scope to drafting a compelling narrative to interview preparation to post-award submissions.

The project begins late 2025 and goes through the end of 2026.

To learn more about CPRA Strategies’ grant writing services, please contact us.