Last week, Cabrillo National Monument’s education team was fortunate to host over 70 Second Graders from Pacific Beach Elementary School. In partnership with the Climate Science Alliance, students spent the morning exploring their National Park while participating in activities associated with outdoor and climate education.
The Climate Science Alliance is a multi-organization partnership formed to create and support a network of leaders, scientists, and natural resource managers focused on sharing ecosystem-based resiliency approaches to safeguard our communities and natural resources from climate change risks. Cabrillo’s involvement in the organization extends to collaboration in natural resource management as well as providing a platform for innovative community and educational engagement.
During their trip to the Monument, the “Climate Kids” began with a guided hike throughout the park learning about the different plant adaptations of Mediterranean Coastal Sage Scrub to drought and changing climatic patterns. Playing the role of mini-scientists, they continued their adventure by diving into Rocky Intertidal ecology and learning how aquatic organisms are shifting in response to rising sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification. Finally, students pledged to carry out one of ten Climate Action Items by painting their commitment with Cabrillo Artist-in-Residence, Joan Green, on reusable canvas bags to take home. Overall, students took away a greater understanding of their role in creating a future of resilience and adaptability to rapidly changing global climate.
Through our thriving partnership with the Climate Science Alliance and other climate stakeholders, Cabrillo National Monument is fully committed to investigating and addressing climate change threats in our local and global ecosystems. As a leader in our community, we recognize and embrace our responsibility to provide sound resource management decisions and public education regarding these issues as directed by the mission of the National Park Service.
To learn more about the Climate Science Alliance and the projects Cabrillo is partnering with, please visit: http://www.climatesciencealliance.org