We Explore Earth Monthly Programming

About

We Explore Earth is a volunteer-led nonprofit reconnecting diverse and underserved communities to the healing power of nature through inclusive outdoor experiences. By blending conservation, wellness, and cultural connection, we foster physical and mental health through guided hikes, campouts, cleanups, creative nature experiences, and communal gatherings across California and beyond.

Categories Program Adults BIPOC Children & Youth Community & Advocacy

Program Details

We Explore Earth is a grassroots, BIPOC-led nonprofit based in Southern California that creates inclusive, nature-based experiences to inspire healing, stewardship, and connection. With a strong emphasis on conservation, our core programs include group cleanup hikes, accessible hiking series, cultural campouts, and wellness-infused gatherings like full moon experiences that blend land stewardship with yoga, sound baths, and community workshops. Our monthly impact continues to grow, with over 400 individuals joining us outdoors every month, with many individuals taking their first-ever steps into nature with us.

Cleanups are at the heart of what we do. From removing trash on popular trails to restoring overlooked areas and teaching Leave No Trace principles, our programs are designed to reconnect people with the land while actively protecting it. Whether it's youth joining a group hike, families camping for the first time, or elders returning to the outdoors through our guided experiences, we meet participants where they are— culturally, emotionally, and physically—while equipping them with tools to explore and care for nature responsibly.

Our efforts have been supported by grants and partnerships with REI, The North Face, Arc'teryx, Athletic Brewing, and the U.S. Forest Service. In 2025, we’re expanding our monthly gatherings and cleanup-based events to new communities, with new chapters launching in San Francisco and New York City. As we scale, we’re working toward securing a permanent office and hiring our first full-time team member—our founder and president—who has led this work voluntarily for over five years. We Explore Earth is more than a name—it’s a movement built on collective joy, cultural connection, and love for the land.

Services Offered

Community hikes & accessible hiking programs: guided group hikes throughout Southern California with beginner-friendly trails and a focus on inclusivity, mental health, and outdoor education
Conservation & cleanup initiatives: monthly cleanup hikes, trail restorations, and large-scale multi-location cleanup events, integrating conservation education into every outing
Cultural campouts & overnight retreats: nature-immersive weekends with workshops, community meals, tent setup tutorials, and healing offerings like yoga, stargazing, and storytelling
Full moon experiences: monthly gatherings under the full moon featuring group hikes, sound baths, yoga, journaling circles, and land acknowledgment ceremonies
Youth & family nature events: day hikes and workshops designed for families, youth, and first-time nature-goers to nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection with the land
Leadership & ambassador programs: equipping and mentoring community leaders and outdoor advocates through co-lead opportunities and chapter-building support
Partnership & brand collaborations: tabling, event integration, and co-hosted community experiences for aligned brands, outdoor orgs, and agencies
Wellness & nature programming: Integrated experiences focused on holistic healing, mental health, and movement through nature-based practices like breathwork and meditation

Contact William Vazquez – Founder/Lead Experience Creator of We Explore Earth Willv@WeExploreEarth.com (626) 525-1154 We Explore Earth

Populations Served
We Explore Earth serves the Southern California region—one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the U.S.—with a strong focus on uplifting BIPOC communities, women (who make up over 70% of our participants), and individuals historically excluded from outdoor spaces. Our programs are open to all, with intentional care given to creating inclusive, safe, and empowering experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities, and experience levels.

Staff Composition
We Explore Earth is a 100% volunteer-led organization powered by a dedicated team of community leaders, certified Wilderness First Responders, environmental stewards, and wellness facilitators. While we currently operate without full-time staff, our team includes over 20 active volunteers who help organize, guide, and lead monthly experiences. Our founder, William Vazquez, currently oversees operations, programming, partnerships, and expansion efforts. As we continue to grow, we are actively working toward securing funding to support our first full-time staff role and establish a physical office to further scale our impact.

Cost to Participate
The majority of We Explore Earth’s experiences and provisions—including cleanups, community hikes, workshops, and full moon gatherings—are completely free to attend. For larger offerings such as road trips, backpacking adventures, and multi-day campouts, we may request a small donation or that participants pitch-in to help support the cost of gear, food, permits, and organizational growth. Financial assistance and sliding scale options are available to ensure financial access is never a barrier for those who wish to connect with nature and community.

Collaborations

We Explore Earth has been recognized and supported by leading outdoor organizations, including REI, Patagonia Pasadena, Keen, and others through grant funding, gear donations, and program support. We actively seek partnerships and opportunities to collaborate with researchers and institutions interested in studying the impact of nature access, conservation efforts, and inclusive outdoor programming on community health and well-being, particularly for BIPOC and underrepresented groups.

A large group of men and women pose in the dark while holding up letters that spell "A Tribe Called Earth." The people pose against a dark backdrop where city lights can be seen, as well as a bright moon obscured by clouds.

A large group of people sit barefoot or in socks on towels and yoga mats while in a sitting yoga pose. The people are sitting among coniferous trees in a forest as the sky begins to darken.

Under a blue sky, a large group of men and women pose in front of a still lake, with a rocky and hilly landscape covered in coniferous trees.

A group of men and women, some with backpacks, hiking poles, and/or hats, pose in front of a teal ski hut on a rocky landscape with coniferous trees.

A group of men and women pose on a rocky surface among a mountainous backdrop. They hold a sign that reads "Mt. San Gorgonio elev. 11,503."

A group of individuals sits on the ground in a semi-circle around an individual who is holding a large bird of prey. Other individuals are present on the grass field in the background.

A black image with white text says "Your Tribe Loves You" with the phone number (213) 477-7385

Recent Case Studies

A large sculpture of an animal head made from plants, with one side of the head resembling a child’s rocking horse, and the other side a dinosaur.

Place

Glenstone

A contemporary art museum in Potomac, Maryland, Glenstone has transformed former disparate residential properties into a contemplative, integrated experience with unique architecture, rolling topography, native meadows, and outdoor art.

Two children play on modern-styled exercise equipment with an adult standing near one of them. There are trees, shrubs, and perennials planted on either side and a street with parked cars in the background.

Place

Ricardo Lara Linear Park

Once a flood-prone dumping ground along Interstate 105 in Lynwood, California, Ricardo Lara Linear Park is now a community-focused park that includes a one-mile walking trail, two playgrounds, a community garden, and exercise stations.

Program

Groundwork USA's National Experiential Learning Program

Groundwork USA’s National Experiential Learning Program is a summer program that brings youth and young adults from communities across the Groundwork Network to some of our nation’s most iconic National Parks where they connect to the land through experiential learning, workforce development, stewardship, and recreation.