Trout in the Classroom – 2016-2017
This excellent program is run by Central Coast Salmon Enhancement that provides the instructor and materials under a grant from Coastal Ranches Conservancy. The entire student body of Vista de Las Cruces school, grades Pre 1st through 8th, participate in the program to learn about how their everyday choices can make a difference in the health of the watershed. Each student raises a baby trout in the classroom which is later released. The school is located next to Gaviota Creek where we are engaged in a number of restoration and conservation activities, which the kids and their parents hopefully will relate to.
Kids in Nature – 2015-2016
This program provides field trips and nature-based classroom instruction to elementary school kids in disadvantaged school districts in Santa Barbara County. It is run by UCSB’s Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration and has a 15 year track record of success. This is a very innovative and valuable program and, with your donations, we hope to be able to continue to fund it in future years.
Tide Pool School – 2007 to Present
The Tide Pool School is run by the Hollister Ranch Conservancy and brings local school kids from all over the County to the pristine tide pools of the Hollister Ranch Shoreline Preserve. Docents from UCSB’s Marine Science Program provide a strong science element to the experience. Each year some 450 kids go through this program; it is so successful there is a waiting list of teachers who want to participate.