Embedded Files
These in-person events will be co-hosted by SEED members. Community and teacher-led workshops will provide insight into the history and ecosystem science of each site, as well as serve as a springboard for generating creative ideas about how to use these outdoor spaces to teach climate literacy, academic content, wellness practices, and green career skills. Workshops take place from 9 am - 12 pm followed by a free lunch from 12 pm - 1 pm.
SEED Gathering 3: Dry Creek Preserve & Nursery
SEED Gathering 3: Dry Creek Preserve & Nursery
The Future of Water
The Future of Water
What is the future of water in the southern San Joaquin Valley? What do we want students to understand about our watershed, its flora and fauna, and the challenges we face in managing for sustainability in the face of climate change? Learn from experts and K-12 educators about some of the best ways and places to get students excited about science and civic engagement around our most precious resource.
For more information check out this recent SJV Valley Water Article or our Agenda for workshop descriptions and presenter information.
SEED Gathering 3 Presenters & Lesson Plan Resources
SEED Gathering 3 Presenters & Lesson Plan Resources
Daniel Huecker
A Deeper Understanding of Climate Science Through Caves
Caves are excellent spaces to learn more about science: dig into earth science, chemistry, and biology inside a cave. Formed through a slowly changing combination of rock, water and air, caves are also geological records of climate over large periods of time. Learn about field trip opportunities at Crystal Caves.
NOAA: How Caves Can Teach Us Abotu Climate
A Kaweah Watershed Moment (Pun Intended)
The Kaweah Watershed is a great place to study some truly amazing water history and to consider present challenges. We’ll dive into local water uses and issues, the challenges of managing such a volatile supply, and explore the impacts of drought years and the threat of climate change.
Growing Locally Adapted Plants in the Nursery and at School
Learn how Dry Creek Nursery propagates healthy native plants adapted to a variety of local habitat conditions while also saving water. Hear about the already underway nursery expansion project designed to provide plants for larger-scale restoration projects. Then, engage in hands-on activities led high school ornamental horticulture agricultural CTE pathway students. Explore relationships among water, soil salinity, and plant adaptations and what kinds of soil amendments can help your native plants thrive.
Rhyane Shanley
Drought Tolerant Green Schoolyards
TThis student-led workshop empowers youth to transform their schoolyards into vibrant, sustainable spaces through drought-tolerant landscaping, tree planting, and nature trails that enhance well-being and learning. By teaching hands-on skills like water auditing and native plant selection, it ignites a movement where students become stewards of greener, cooler, and more inviting places to play and grow.
Walt Bentley
John Greening
Food Webs in Ponds and Creeks: Macroinvertebrate Inventories
One measure of the water quality of ponds and streams is the types of macroinvertebrates present. Learn which ones indicate healthy habitats by inventorying live pond and stream samples and using this data to create a lesson plan on aquatic food webs suitable for different ages of students.
Tejinder Kaur
Capinero Creek Dairy Land Restoration Research
Explore hands-on environmental science activities including biodiversity counts, water and soil testing, and air quality analysis using classroom-ready kits. Learn about dairy waste management and renewable energy through Calgren’s biogas initiatives, connecting agriculture with sustainability. Students will showcase their collected data, demonstrating real-world applications of science in local ecosystems and agricultural practices.
SEED Gathering 2: Allensworth
SEED Gathering 2: Allensworth
Regenerative Agriculture, Food, & Soil Health
Regenerative Agriculture, Food, & Soil Health
What is the future of ag in the valley? What should every Tulare County student understand about the value of our agriculture, the challenges we are facing, and win-win solutions for a sustainable economy and ecosystem? Hear a wide range of views on these topics and leave with teacher-created activities you can use in the classroom.
Presenters & Lesson Plan Resources
Presenters & Lesson Plan Resources
Tekoah Kadara
Introduction to the Allensworth Progressive Association
Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley
Seth Yocum Ed.D.
Farm of the Future at Coalinga Community College
Farming for the Future: Regenerative Ag and Eco-Conscious Practices
This workshop will focus on contemporary practices in agriculture that prioritize the stewardship and health of both natural and human communities. Topics will include precision irrigation, sustainable pest management, principles of soil health, adaptive stewardship, and the four ecosystem processes.
Slides - Farming for the Future: Regenerative Ag & Eco Conscious Practices
STEAM Outside: Designing Land for Sustainability
Join us for a workshop exploring the state of agriculture in Tulare County and how sustainable land-use practices can shape a healthier future. Discover how incorporating native plants and wildlife habitats supports healthier soils and communities through hands-on fieldwork and lab-based activities. Learn practical skills in field techniques, sensors, coding, and engineering design.
Cole Smith
University of California, Davis; Agriculture & Natural Resources
Composting in the Classroom: Make and Take Worm Bins
During this hands-on session we will learn how to build a worm composting bin for the classroom. Not only is vermicomposting (composting using worms) fun, it provides the opportunity to integrate science and sustainability into your curriculums. Students can bring lunch waste from the cafeteria and watch it transform into a valuable soil enriching amendment for the garden.
Lesson Plan (3rd-5th): Vermicomposting - National Ag in the Classroom
Priscilla Lopez
Burton Academy of Science and Agriculture (BASA)
Teaching Regenerative Ag through the Farm to Table Concept
Join us for a workshop exploring the state of agriculture in Tulare County and how sustainable land-use practices can shape a healthier future. Discover how incorporating native plants and wildlife habitats supports healthier soils and communities through hands-on fieldwork and lab-based activities. Learn practical skills in field techniques, sensors, coding, and engineering design.
SEED Gathering 2 Recap: Allensworth Community Garden
SEED Gathering 2 Recap: Allensworth Community Garden
SEED is a coalition of environmental education organizations united by the goal of linking classroom learning with real world applications through outdoor education. Almost everyone from here fondly remembers going to SCICON in elementary school, but we are working to expand outdoor learning to every student at every grade level by inviting an ever-widening network of folks to join the movement. At our most recent SEED Gathering, we welcomed many new partners and over 80 guests to join us in a day focused on discussing Regenerative Agriculture, Food, and Soil Health.
As participants at last year’s SEED Summer Institute began to develop our Tulare County Climate Literacy Framework, we realized that our definition of environmental education had to expand to address farming - our most important industry, and a major player in climate impacts and potential solutions. In planning the event, we realized we have lots of expertise to draw from and we were happy to bring so many different people and ideas to one place.
SEED was thrilled to partner with the Allensworth Progressive Association, who hosted and turned this into a community event, with kid-friendly activities, Spanish translation services, and amazing tacos. Co-Executive Director Tekoah Kadara began our morning with a land acknowledgement, an eye-opening history of the community of Allensworth, and an inspiring vision of his town as a future hub for empowerment through restorative agricultural education.
Next, Springville’s own Kevin Boyer, founder of the national Regenerative Agriculture Foundation and owner of Sequoia Roots Farm provided a foundational understanding of regenerative agriculture as “a way of supplying the human needs of food, fiber, fuel and fun while improving or maintaining the systems and cycles on which we depend.” Workshops throughout the day elaborated on future-focused and climate-smart solutions and gave educators the chance to build on their knowledge and connect with each other.
K-12 teachers, the primary audience for SEED’s current B-WET grant, were enthusiastic about the event. Kingsburg High School science teacher Leigh-Ann Olsen said, “I was able to make connections to concepts I discuss in class, and also think about these topics in ways I haven't before with other individuals. I loved the hands-on activities such as making a worm bin and looking at how soil conditions can impact water infiltration or runoff by using bread vs. flour. The food was excellent and the discussions were rich.”
Priscilla Lopez, a middle school teacher and leader of the Burton Academy of Science and Agriculture, presented a workshop on “Teaching Regenerative Ag through the Farm to Table Concept.” She said, “I believe that in order to prepare the upcoming generations, we as educators must create awareness and make it accessible. It is up to us.” Presenter Dr. Leticia Classen Rodriguez of SEEN raved, “This event was the highlight of my job—bringing together colleagues and friends, united by shared values, a passion for the environment, a commitment to people, and a love for education.”
According to local Brian Fagundes of Point Blue, "I was born and raised in the Tulare and Kings County area and opportunities were rare to learn about nature, regenerative agriculture, and the environment in general. Working as a wildlife biologist and agroecologist in the region now, participating in SEED is inspiring me to connect with others in the region to build community and grow our collective impact. I would love to see this movement continue to grow and develop as more individuals, teachers, and organizations join and share their amazing knowledge and skills."
Please save the date for our next SEED Gathering: Saturday, June 14 at Dry Creek Nursery in Woodlake.
FoodLink - DEEP Roots
FoodLink - DEEP Roots
Daisy Magaña and Genna Kules of Foodlink’s Deep Roots gardening program gave away spring veggie seedlings to boost food sovereignty.
SEEN - SocioEnvironmental Education Network
SEEN - SocioEnvironmental Education Network
Dr. Leticia Classen-Rodriguez and Anna Gurevitz of SocioEnvironmental and Education Network demonstrated fieldwork methods that high school teachers could use with students.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC Davis)
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC Davis)
Cole Smith, of UC Davis Agriculture and Natural Resources helped participants make worm bins for reducing food waste and building healthy soils.
Allensworth Progressive Association & Community Garden
Allensworth Progressive Association & Community Garden
Kaashif Bey (back right) of Allensworth Progressive Association hosted a planter painting workshop for children near the Community Garden's composting bins.
SEED Gathering 1: River Ridge Ranch
SEED Gathering 1: River Ridge Ranch
Teaching with Native Plants
Teaching with Native Plants
Join us at River Ridge Ranch & Institute for our first SEED gathering of the 2024-2025 school year! We have an impressive line-up of field experts, environmentalists, and educators who will be leading presentations and workshops on California native plants, their importance to local ecosystems and biodiversity, and how to incorporate them into your in-class lessons. We will then workshop some lesson plans and learn more about how hands-on environmental and outdoor education can complement what students are learning in class and help you teach about local history, environment, and climate!
SEED Gathering 1 Presenters & Lesson Plan Resources
SEED Gathering 1 Presenters & Lesson Plan Resources
Dr. Gary Adest
Introduction to River Ridge Ranch and Institute
Learn about California's biodiversity-rich ecoregions, how the Ranch supports sustainable oak woodland agriculture, and the importance of water in habitat restoration projects.
Investigating the Oak Community: A Curriculum Guide for Grades 4-8
Dr. Barbara Brydolf
River Ridge Natural History Hike
We will wander you on a 1-mile stroll along the Tule River, talking about the role and interactions of sun, soil, water and native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses.
Cathy Capone
Growing and Caring for Native Plants
This workshop will cover the basics of creating a planting area at a school site, planting and maintaining the area, where to buy California native plants and how to propagate California native plants. Bring your ideas, be ready to share your experiences both successes and issues with growing areas at school sites.
Slides
California Native Plant Society School Gardens Guide
Meade Williams
K-5th Grade - Social Emotional Learning in Nature
There is You. There is Us. There is Now. There is Hope! This workshop focuses on building SEL Competencies towards increasing meaningful student engagement in climate literacy and the collaborative creation of sustainable communities through mindful connection practices.
Betsy Rivera Bautista
6-8th Grade - Exploring Ecology: Sequoias, Biodiversity, and Carbon Sequestration
Explore key ecological concepts like abiotic and biotic factors and biodiversity. Experience an educator-designed game illustrating how sequoias sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll also share strategies for planning impactful field trips to sequoia groves, blending education with immersive outdoor learning.
Amanda Driver
9-12th Grade - Lab: Do Native Plants Save Water?
Compare the water usage of native vs. non-native plants. We will explore the implications of excessive water usage, and discuss the impact of using native plants in landscaping over non-native counterparts.
SEED Gathering 1 Recap: Rain at River Ridge Ranch
SEED Gathering 1 Recap: Rain at River Ridge Ranch
At its core, SEED is a group of folks committed to teaching and learning outdoors - and sometimes that means braving the elements for a good cause. Teachers at the SEED Summer Institute wanted to learn more about native plants, so we organized our first ever SEED Gathering at River Ridge Ranch and Institute near Springville. We planned to hold the event “rain or shine,” and rain it did! Despite the atmospheric river, over 60 folks gathered together for walks, workshops, and camaraderie on a gorgeous fall day in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
River Ridge Ranch owners and hosts Dr. Gary Adest and Dr. Barbara Brydolf began the day by providing an overview of California biodiversity and leading a tour highlighting dynamic native plant communities on the site. Cathy Capone shared her expertise in growing native plants and designing native plant gardens for schools.
Next, three educators presented workshops. Meade Williams demonstrated a lesson focused on mindfulness practices. Betsy Rivera Bautista’s lesson highlighted the role of our most famous native plant species - the giant sequoia - in sequestering carbon. Amanda Driver shared a model lesson that demonstrated the positive impact of native plants on water use and soil health.
Finally, we enjoyed lunch together in the shelter of the yurt. Presenters, educators, and the high school students who attended shared ideas about upcoming projects. Truly, as Dr. Adest says, “ There is no substitute for doing it in person, in nature.”
Please check out the website for links to slides, lessons, and other resources.
Our next SEED Gathering will take place on March 8, 2025 at Allensworth State Historic Park. To develop a shared understanding for the creation of our Tulare County Climate Literacy Framework, we will be focusing on regenerative agriculture and food system lessons for K-12 students. We hope to see you there!
Gary Adest and Barbara Brydolf lead a tour of River Ridge Ranch and Institute.
Meade Williams, Betsy Bautista Rivera, and Amanda Driver provide an overview of their educator workshops.
Page updated
Report abuse