Student Perspectives: This blog was written by a UC Berkeley student who participated in the Save the Redwoods League Climate Change Action internship. During this internship, the Berkeley students helped to connect youth of all ages to nature and explain the important role redwoods play in combating climate change. Enjoy!
From Student to Teacher at Redwood Regional Park
By Emilia Agata Malachowski
One of my favorite places on Earth is Muir Woods, so when it was announced that we would be going to Redwood Regional Park as part of a fieldtrip for my UC Berkeley/Save the Redwoods League joint internship, I was insanely excited.
Joining us on the field trip were around 30 Berkeley High students whom we had been teaching about climate change earlier in the week. I was surprised when I learned that a majority of the students had never even visited a redwood park, despite living less than 30 minutes away from one.
Upon getting to the park, we began with a scavenger hunt looking for different organisms and objects in the forest. The students were very curious, asking why different ferns had a different number of fronds and why redwoods were as tall as they were. I observed them touching the bark of the trees while also looking up at the tree cover inquisitively.
For me, the most rewarding part was being able to answer their questions about the drought and how it was affecting the redwoods. For the first time in my life I felt the reverse side of education and no longer felt like a student but like a teacher. Even when I tutored while growing up, I felt like I was just there to aid them with their homework. With this experience, I finally felt like I was educating these students from scratch. I would readily recommend a similar experience or visiting the redwoods with someone who has never been before.
Take advantage of the League’s free resources to help you plan your next trip to the redwoods.
