Los Angeles, a city known for its urban sprawl, is also home to green spaces.

But unfortunately, many residents don't have easy access to the great outdoors.

Stacey Vigallon, Executive Director of Nature Nexus Institute, and her team want to change that.

Each year they take 3 to 5000 people, many students, on guided nature walks.

NNI strengthens their appreciation for nature and offers something called climate resilience.

Access to nature is a justice issue.

our organization is really thinking in terms of community resilience, like how do you how do you create a community that is resilient to the negative impacts of climate change?

Community Program Director Emily Cobar works with organizations like West LA College and the Natural History Museum to provide nature education.

Nature knowledge is ancestral knowledge.

learning from nature is in our blood.

we uplift and highlight and talk about the issues in our communities.

Toni Payne is a wildlife photographer and conservation volunteer.

She was drawn to this work by her son, Zion.

When he was much younger, he took a liking to wildlife, And how do you feel after you've done this work after the day's work here?

Very good.

it serves a purpose.

Because when you take out the invasive species and you put in the native species, what happens is the native wildlife start coming back The work of Nature Nexus Institute helps restore a sense of belonging, heritage and stewardship.

Next time we'll look at ho a new generation of young people are shaping a future where care of the environment is everybody's responsibility.

For PBS SoCal, I'm Bonnie Boswell.

Bonnie Boswell Reports is brought to you by the California Wellness Foundation.