Save the Redwoods League is proud to feature these projects. They represent some of the best projects we sponsor through our Education Grants Program. Click below to see great redwood education resources they have developed.
Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative - Educator of the Year!
San Francisco, California
from "Flourish of Sempervirens" by Carl, WALC Junior
Like a phoenix, rising from the moist nurse log
Old molds new
From DNA preserved in ancient roots
DESCRIPTION
Conrad Benedicto, of Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative (WALC), was named our first-ever Redwood Educator of the Year in 2010. WALC, a League education partner since 2006, was selected from among 40 other 2009 education grant recipients.
The curriculum uses redwood forests as a foundation and springboard to teach central concepts from the core disciplines, immersing the students in studying redwoods from multiple perspectives. It is designed around an annual theme, such as 2009's “Struggling for Sustainability: Preservation, Restoration and Environmental Justice.” Trips to redwood parks, an integral part of student learning, include field investigations and restoration projects. At the end of the year, participants often report a deeper understanding of and appreciation for nature and forests because of this in-depth learning experience.
Each year, the WALC program serves 100-120 students at Balboa and Downtown High Schools in San Francisco. Many had never seen a redwood forest or spent much time in nature until they participated in the WALC program.
LINKS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative
Conrad Benedicto, Executive Director
695 Paris Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
(510) 541-9252 or (415) 269-WALC
walcuniverse@gmail.com | www.walcsf.net
Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program
Sonoma County, California
"Redwood trunks are really big and it takes lots of people to hug all the way around one." ~ Sophia, 5th grade
DESCRIPTION
In this project, students learned about the important role each plant and animal plays in a redwood forest, the interdependence between humans and redwoods and the fragile balance of the entire ecosystem. Hands-on activities such as planting redwood seedlings and mapping seedling locations developed a sense of stewardship in the students.
Caritas Creek helps young people discover the connection between all living things, builds bridges between diverse socio-economic and ethnic groups and fosters a deeper connection to the natural environment, self and community.
FIELD LESSONS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Caritas Creek
Emily Ordway, Program Director
P.O. Box 488, Occidental, CA 95465
(707) 632-5003
caritascreek@gmail.com | www.caritascreek.org
EarthTeam Environmental Network
Alameda County, California
“The Circle Poem” by Sarah, Skyline High School
The redwoods teach the river how to rest, how to wait, and how to grow.
The rivers teach the deer how to run.
The deer give the wolves life, while the wolves teach the trees to bark.
This bark becomes a home of red for the lush leaves of green.
DESCRIPTION
The Redwood Eco-Stewards project engaged high school students in restoring a local redwood forest in Alameda County. AP Environmental Science students learned about redwood forest ecology and, during a series of field trips to Sausal Creek, removed invasive plants, installed erosion control fabric and planted native plants to help restore the creek to its natural state. The project culminated in a trip to the old-growth redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument.
This project is part of EarthTeam's Restoration Initiative, which offers local teens numerous opportunities to do hands-on environmental work throughout the Bay Area and helps classroom teachers incorporate environmental stewardship into their curriculum.
MATERIALS
CONTACT INFORMATION
EarthTeam Environmental Network
Kevin Sherrill, Restoration Program Director
2525 10th Street, Unit B, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 704-4030
info@earthteam.net | www.earthteam.net
Stanislaus County, California
“A Redwood Tree” by Sydnee, 4th Grade
A tall redwood tree,
So tall you can not see the top,
The tree is so tall,
They need a lot of water,
They need a lot of care too.
DESCRIPTION
Learning through Redwoods was an integrated approach to learning about the unique role redwoods have played in the history of California. The project was designed to give students a firsthand experience in a coast redwood forest (at Big Basin State Park), while teaching them about redwood forest ecology and the economic impact of sustaining redwood forests.
The students developed this project as part of their school's Project Citizen Task Force. Project Citizen is a national curriculum that encourages student citizens to take an active role in the betterment of their community. Through this project, students learned to identify a problem, look for alternative policies to address the problem, propose a policy to the appropriate governing body and develop an action plan.
Check out the project blog.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Empire Elementary School
Karen Retford, Teacher
5201 First Street, Empire, CA 95319
(209) 521-2970
kretford2@empire.k12.ca.us
Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School
San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, California
“...I can see better with my eyes because you taught me how to see in nature! The solo hike changed my life because I got to do something by myself!” ~ Carlos, 6th grade
DESCRIPTION
Funding of this project enabled students (who could not otherwise afford to attend) to join their schools in attending this outdoor education program located in a beautiful redwood forest. Participants studied redwood ecology through a variety of focused activities during the week.
Exploring New Horizons inspires and educates students through exploration of redwood and related ecosystems. Through outdoor activities and hands-on experience, Exploring New Horizons increases student awareness and respect for the diverse redwood forest ecosystem and teaches them to work together to create a healthy and sustainable environment.
MATERIALS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Exploring New Horizons, Inc.
Tracey Weiss, Executive Director
PO Box 1514, Felton, CA 95018
(831) 338-3013
tracey@exploringnewhorizons.org | exploringnewhorizons.org
Marin County, California
“When we were at the core I climbed the hollow log. It was dark inside! I saw many tall redwood trees. I hugged a really big one.” ~ Kaitlyn, 3rd grade
DESCRIPTION
For the last nine years, Save the Redwoods League has partially funded the Into the Redwood Forest program at Muir Woods. This program allows 3rd-5th grade students to experience an ancient redwood forest firsthand. During their visit, students explore Muir Woods' plant and animal communities, learning about the interdependence of all living things in the forest. A primary goal of the program is to foster a life-long interest in nature, redwoods and stewardship.
In addition, the League fully funded the creation of a Quest at Muir Woods in 2007. In a typical quest, children and their families discover the redwood forest through a series of clues (often in rhyme) and are rewarded by finding a special treasure at the end of their journey through the forest. The grant provided funding for a 2-day workshop, during which environmental educators from around the Bay Area helped Muir Woods’ education staff develop the quest.
LINKS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Muir Woods National Monument
Timothy Jordan, Park Ranger
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-2596
timothy_jordan@nps.gov | www.nps.gov/muwo/
Humboldt County, California
"Old-growth redwood forests are important because they provide homes for unique animals." ~ Frances, Roots & Shoots member
DESCRIPTION
In this project, local Roots & Shoots members helped create a variety of education resources for zoo visitors ages 9-15, including a student journal, a redwood ecology-themed video and the Forest Ed-ventures curriculum. Materials were tested and evaluated by local 3rd and 4th grade classes.
Sequoia Park Zoo inspires wonder, understanding and respect for the natural world by providing educational experiences that connect animals, humans and our environment. Their work focuses on the local coast redwood forest and the animals that reside in it.
MATERIALS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sequoia Park Zoo
Amber Neilson, Zoo Education Coordinator
3414 W Street, Eureka, CA 95503
(707) 441-4217
education@sequoiaparkzoo.net | www.sequoiaparkzoo.net
Questions? Please contact Susan Ingersoll, Education Program Manager, at
Education@SaveTheRedwoods.org or (415) 362-2352.
Updated March 2011