Sonora, California, January 15, 2016 – Local school children get an extra opportunity for active learning through a transportation grant which will allow over 1,000 local children the ability to expand on previous lessons about natural resources and their environment with field trips to and activities in the Stanislaus National Forest (STF).
Last fall, in partnership with 3 Forests Interpretive Association and the Tuolumne River Trust, interpretive specialists from the Stanislaus National Forest began visiting local 4th grade classrooms in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Calaveras and Alpine Counties, presenting a hands-on wildlife program called, “Skins, Scat and Skulls.”
The program is designed to provide 4th grade children the opportunity to earn a free “Every Kid in a Park Pass,” an initiative started last year by the National Park Foundation, grantor of the current transportation grant of nearly $9,000.
"The Every Kid in a Park program has already allowed several students from Tenaya School to visit parks, and many more are planning visits this spring and summer with their free pass,” said Rob Egger, 4th grade teacher at Tenaya Elementary School. “Not only did the Forest Service come to our school to deliver the free park passes to fourth grade students, but also presented a nature program to pique student interest in the parks. I am hopeful that the Every Kid in a Park program will continue so more kids will have this opportunity each year.”
Local school environments and animals are identified in these classroom presentations in order to foster awareness and appreciation of wildlife/natural resources, while motivating future learning and curiosity.
While all of the students live approximately ten to fifty miles from the Stanislaus National Forest, many of these students have never visited this local public treasure. STF staff anticipate reaching approximately 1,018 children at 31 schools through this outreach and engagement program.
The interpretive program also prepares the students for travel to the forest where they will experience multiple activities such as: hikes; becoming a Junior Ranger; Park and/or Forest volunteer cleanups; discussion of “Leave No Trace” concepts; tree planting in an affected Rim Fire area; and discussion of renewable resources, as well as fire safety.
Though this program cannot reach out to every school, the opportunity to learn and take part in helping to shape the future of forest health is available to everyone. Please check the Stanislaus National Forest web site for more information on seasonal interpretive programs and community tree planting opportunities.
Source: Stanislaus National Forest
