Hitting the Trails

School is upon us again! In the last couple of years, I’ve really ramped up the work of giving back to the Alvarado Park/Wildcat Canyon by setting goals for litter pickup and invasive species removal. It feels really good to do this work: physically in the exercise, mentally in the scheduling and working out how to do the work either with my students or near them, and the emotions- the act of giving back to the land that gives to us feels fantastic. I noticed that when we do litter pick up, less litter gets deposited on the days when we’re not there. It seems like the cleaner spaces invite others to respect the spaces more, too. And, when we’re doing some heavy duty English or Cape Ivy removal, or hauling out some French Broom, passerby take notice and thank us, too. It’s so neighborly! Everything is about relationship building, and that all takes time. That’s why, four years after starting this particular park relationship (and being told I couldn’t have a permit to operate, and that rocks and sticks appropriate educational materials), I’m excited that the park staff has asked us to step up our volunteering efforts in partnership with them and some other organizations. Each of us will build upon the work of the others for some habitat restoration. To me, this offers an additional opportunity for a world-class education, and learning about ecosytems on a microscopic and macroscopic scales. The practical, hands-on efforts will create knowledge that will inevitably seep into the core of our beings. This is going to be a great education for all of us!

A Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) alights upon a Broadleaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) during Outside School Summer Camp, July 25, 2022. This is one of Alvarado Park’s featured native plant gardens.

Nature News

We’ve been on our second summer break, so I won’t have current news from the park to report until next month’s blog. At the moment, our area has still had relatively clear skies despite several wildfires in the state. Hot, dry air coming from the Southeast increases the chances of wildfires spreading through several East Bay parks, so Wildcat Canyon has had its first closures this year due to high wildfire risk. Although those haven’t happened on a school day, thankfully we have a great backup park to enjoy in case it does happen later on.

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) hints at Autumn's beginnings, while a Bay Tree (Umbellularia californica) and giant rocks invite climbers. I'll never tire of these ever-changing colors and textures!

Enrollment

I still have space for the 2022 - 2023 school year! I also have opened enrollment for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Please check out my website for more information: www.outside.school.

Recharging! Whether it was inspired by induction chargers at home or something else, these kids decided to "recharge" for a bit by holding their sticks and leaning firmly against them for a bit. It worked- they got fully reenergized! ⚡️ 🔋 😆

Resources and Inspiration

Growing up, my sister and I had a National Geographic book about the Universe. I remember we’d actively and excitedly look through it, and found a lot of amusement in speculating about the last chapter on alien life. I feel lucky to have grown up in a time when people were so excited about space. Is this still the case? I so often find myself inspired by space to this very day! I loved this article from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory about Voyager 2’s 45th anniversary of spaceflight:

Nicolette Sowder inspires me, both by the term she coined and the movement- “Wildschooling.” It’s a perfect one-word description for Outside School! Please check out her New York Times article, “School Is for Connecting to Nature.”

Here’s an informative piece from the Xerces Society’s instagram page, showing the troubling results of their studies on pesticides found in milkweed plants for sale in nurseries.

A Monarch my Outside School students found on a rainy day. By strategically placing it upon their bodies and finding the sunniest available places, they were able to warm it enough to send it on its way. True self-directed education! (January 28, 2021)

The Watershed Project has released its data from a few years of studying water quality in Contra Costa County creeks, including our own location, Wildcat Creek. Check it out!

I hope you all have a fantastic school year!!!

Take care,

Heather

Heather Taylor, EMT

Founder/Director/Teacher, Outside School (www.outside.school)

Founder, Teach Outside (www.teachoutside.org)

California Master Teacher

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