VISTAS: Voyagers Investigating Sierras, Trails, and Seas is an expansion of the Youth Parkway Ambassadors (YPA) program designed to further students knowledge of the San Joaquin River ecosystem from the Sierras to the Sea. VISTAS gives students the opportunity to expand their outdoor and leadership skills while exploring outside the Central Valley and into the Sierras and the Sea that the San Joaquin River Watershed reaches.
During their experience, students will spend a day in the Sierra Nevada mountains near the San Joaquin River as well as a two-night camping trip near the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. During the camping trip, students will learn about the different ecosystems and how they are connected to the central valley. Along with the the camping trip, students spend three separate field trip days exploring and learning about the San Joaquin River that may consist of a down river kayak tour, a trip to the San Joaquin Hatchery, and activities that support the creative process of their final capstone project. Students will work together to create a Capstone Project that expresses their experience and new knowledge with the support the Trust staff. An invasive species removal event will teach students about the invasive species that are a threat to the San Joaquin River. Students will spend a morning removing invasive plant species with volunteers from the public and the support of the Trust' Restoration Technicians. This program ends with students presenting their final capstone project in the Historic Ranch House at the River Center.
Program Overview for Summer 2026 Cohort
10 participants
June - August 2026
3 Month program, consisting of:
- 2 hour introductory orientation and discussion in-person/online
-Two 6-hour local field days
-A day trip to the Sierra's
- An overnight camp-out (2 night, 3 day) in the Sea
-A 4-hour invasive species removal service-learning day
-Group Capstone Project- A 4-hour Capstone Project Exhibit Event (5-hour program day for participants)
Capstone Project Exhibit
Date/Time: August 2026
Location: TBD
At the capstone project exhibit, students will present their findings that reflects their experience during the VISTAS program. Family educational stations and activities will be available.
VISTAS was funded in 2023-2024 by the CA Coastal Commission's Whale Tail Grants Program
VISTAS was funded in 2025 by Parks California
