As we wrapped up the last few weeks of 2024 the Junior Land Stewards were busy in the field, as each school took its second field trip of the school year - combining ecosystem learning, journaling observation, and open space history.
Students from Hatch came to Wavecrest Open Space where they explored the 50 acres and participated in 4 journaling activities. These included: I notice, I wonder, It reminds of me; My Secret Plant; Ecosystem Inspection Circles; and Sound Mapping. Students explored life that is flourishing in the coastal prairie - from the indigenous plants to the pacific tree frogs.
El Granada students hiked up to the quarry floor at Quarry Park with a guided tour by Barbara Dye who taught them all about the history of their community, school, the Ocean Shore Railroad, as well as how Quarry Park became a protected open space. They then listened to the sounds around them and translated that into a sound map in their nature journals. Their final activity was My Secret Plant where they had to find an object in nature to draw in enough detail that their fellow classmates could find it by only looking at their drawing.
At Farallone View, 4th graders had special guests Anthony and Jackson from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy lead them on a guided hike through the GGNRA. Along the way they examined the changing seasonal landscape, as everything is greening up again, and saw many raptors. The ground was wet but each student had their own special sit spot mat so they could get comfortable and focus on their journaling activities.
This program is supported by your generous support, as well as The California Coastal Commission's WHALE TAIL® Grant and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.
Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards Program, connecting our local Coastside students to the natural world, and guiding them in stewardship of their local open spaces.
