Dolphins Escort Explore Ecology Students to Santa Cruz Island
“Did you see THAT? They’re surfing!” Sixty students peered over the edge of the Island Adventure boat as a pod of dolphins swam, jumped, and played in the water below. The students were on their way to Santa Cruz Island as part of Explore Ecology’s Flows to the Ocean Program. This innovative environmental education series of classes teaches 4th-6th graders how their actions on land affect water quality in our creeks and ocean. As part of the program students receive two in class Creek Kids lessons, attend a waste reduction presentation and go on a field trip to the South Coast Watershed Resource Center and local creek. The series culminates in an all day trip to Santa Cruz Island where the students view island wildlife, go on nature hikes and conduct a beach and island cleanup.
By participating in Flows to the Ocean, students learn how to protect their watersheds, local creeks, and ocean. They become empowered when they realize that they can make a positive difference not only for themselves and their families, but also for dolphins and other marine animals.
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson