Our Story
PUENTES Origins
PUENTES was born out of our founder’s participation in a nature immersion program in 2013 that deepened their connection to the natural world and themself. She pursued more alike experiences and never quite felt like she belonged. Being outdoors was both deeply liberating and socially uncomfortable. Through conversations with loved ones, they were able to name that whiteness, power, and privilege are prevalent in every space, even when distanced from “society.”
Antonella wanted to cultivate a space where she and folx with similar experiences could feel a sense of belonging and relative safety to co-create an affirming outdoor community rooted in fun and love. With a lot of help from mentors, community members, and peers, they created PUENTES to combine connection with the natural world and the centering of BIPOC identities and communities.
PUENTES programs attempt to decrease physical and social barriers that prevent folx from engaging with the natural world while creating a space for joy, growth, and exploration.
Our Founder
Antonella (they/she) is a nature-lover with a passion for intergenerational experiential education and mentorship. They officially founded PUENTES in 2022.
They are a Queer, light-skinned, white-assumed, Latine born on Quechua and Wari land (Lima, Peru), and has found her current home on unceded Amah Mutsun, Awaswas, Ohlone territories (Santa Cruz County) after moving around the U.S. as a youth.
Antonella nurtures their soul through music, dunking in fresh water, sleeping under stars, identifying birds by sound, and spending time with loved ones.
She works as an educator and facilitator of natural history, experiential science, sensory awareness, and relationship building with the living earth.