Ecological Learning

Guiding Principles

We design our education programs to embody the following characteristics:

• Place-Based: The local community is the starting point for teaching concepts in science and culture; students learn about where they live
• Hands-On: Students actively use all of their senses to explore nature, stewardship, and science
• Conservation in Action: The activities we do with students are tied to efforts to meet local, regional, and national conservation goals
• Inquiry-Based: Students learn science by asking and answering questions as a guide to discovering the world around them
• Service-Learning: The learning activities that students do directly benefit their community, motivating students by giving extrinsic value to their work
• Skill-Building: Students learn valuable skills in science, horticulture, problem solving, critical thinking, and stewardship
• Professional and Peer Mentoring: Students build relationships with peers, older student mentors, and professional mentors that give them multiple perspectives and confidence
• Experiential: Students don’t just learn about restoration, students DO restoration

Examples of our activities:

• Learning in our outdoor classroom.
• Field day learning at Craig Park
• Outdoor bike day
• OLC excursions.
• Learning days at the beach
• Learning trips to the hatchery