Whether it’s outdoor exploration, bringing nature into the classroom, or hands-on activities, environmental education fosters a connection to the world around us and empowers us to make informed and responsible choices. Through education about conservation, sustainability, and ecosystems, students can develop a sense of responsibility and appreciation for nature. 

Students got to explore the wonders of nature in a new series of six afterschool programs designed to spark curiosity and connect students with the environment at the Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center (CREEC). Led by the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) Fellows, students learned about the significance of the Carquinez Strait, soil health and aquaponics, explored the importance of native plants and pollinators, and examined the impact of invasive plants and ways to restore native habitats. 

The CCAC Fellows will continue educational programming through a classroom aquarium education program, known as Trout in the Classroom, a program where students and teachers receive fish eggs, watch them hatch, and release them into a local lake. In partnership with two Contra Costa County schools, students participate in a hands-on, interdisciplinary project where they learn about aquatic environments, how their actions can impact these valuable aquatic habitats, and how their everyday choices support the survival of their released trout.