The Artesia City Council on Aug. 11 authorized staff to apply for the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant to fund a proposed program called the Artesia Great Adventure.

Deputy City Manager Edith Guerra presented the application and said the grant seeks roughly $430,000 to support a 15‑month initiative that would provide outdoor education and prevention programming to youth ages 8–18.

Guerra said the proposal includes 30 outdoor trips across California, 40 days of educational camps spread across winter, spring and summer, and a program structure split roughly 60% classroom instruction and 40% outdoor experiences. Staff estimates the program would serve about 1,220 youth and provide age-appropriate environmental education, hands‑on learning and substance‑use prevention through positive engagement, Guerra said. She said the requested funding would cover staff time and salaries, equipment and materials, meals, transportation, trip fees and overall program costs and that, if awarded, the funding would sustain the program through March 2027. Guerra noted there is no impact to the city’s general fund if the grant is awarded.

Guerra credited Recreation Supervisor Josh Acevedo with developing the program and said management analyst Adrian Fajardo assisted with the application. Council members asked about staffing; Guerra said the grant would fund hiring a recreation program coordinator and also provide stipends to hire about 10 local youth to assist with the program.

After discussion, Councilmember Manalo moved to adopt Resolution No. 25-3060 to approve the application and authorize the city manager to sign required documents. The motion passed 5–0.

Guerra traced the grant’s origin to state ballot measures discussed by staff: Proposition 64 (allocating cannabis tax revenue for youth programs) and Proposition 68 (creating funding opportunities for youth access to natural and cultural resources), and said the YCA program has roughly $18 million statewide. The city’s program emphasizes equity and serving underserved youth.