For years, the Living Coast Discovery Center, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, and Ocean Connectors have helped South County students connect with nature through hands-on learning opportunities that aren’t always easy to access. Thanks to San Diego Foundation’s innovative Thrive Community of Practice (TCoP) program—an ambitious initiative uniting schools and community-based organizations to strengthen science and the arts—the three nonprofits, alongside the Sweetwater Union High School District, have adopted a more coordinated and collaborative approach that’s impacting tens of thousands of youth like never before.
“It’s been a huge success,” said Shayna Foreman, Interim Executive Director and Director of Education & Guest Experience at the Living Coast Discovery Center. “All of us share the same goals in trying to connect students with enriching activities and learning opportunities. But the connections between the different nonprofits and schools weren’t always there. What the TCoP really helped to do was bring these different stakeholders together to coordinate our efforts and expand our capacity.”
Working together, Living Coast, Ocean Connectors, and Olivewood Gardens secured MOUs with the Sweetwater school district that are opening the doors to new education programs and an expanding number of field trips. They’re now developing a STEAM Partner Guide—a blueprint to help other community organizations navigate partnerships with school districts—and piloted a collaborative program, at no cost to students, that are increasing visits to the centers and organizing guest appearances to Sweetwater schools. On top of that, students have taken part in free kayak cleanup field trips, habitat restoration days, and an after-school Ocean Pals Crochet Club that weaves together art and environmental awareness. And they’ve worked with the Sweetwater district on an Expanded Learning program serving 116 students via a state-funded initiative providing afterschool and summer educational opportunities for children through the sixth grade.
“What this effort illustrated is that all of us—the district and community-based organizations—are really passionate about providing environmental education programs to students and how we could better accomplish things by working together,” said Olivewood Garden’s Jeni Barajas, who serves as Director of Youth Programs.
Generations of Service
The Living Coast Discovery Center—whose mission is to inspire the community to connect with and care for our coastal environment—is home to approximately 70,000 visitors annually, including families, school groups, scout programs, and those attending special events. The nonprofit zoo and aquarium located on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1987 as the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center.
“The TCoP allows us and others to expand the reach of our programs to those furthest from opportunity, trying to ensure even more students can access these incredible outdoor education programs that we know enriches student learning,” Shayna explained.
Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center in National City serves as an interactive, indoor-outdoor classroom. With a focus on education, access, and advocacy, the nonprofit provides science-based environmental education and nutrition lessons, hands-on gardening and cooking classes, and job skills and leadership development programs.
“I work in 8 acres of paradise at an urban farm with a teaching kitchen, engaging youth in a memorable farm-to-kitchen experience that inspires them to be conscious of their well-being and the environment,” said Barajas.
Ocean Connectors began in 2007 as a sea turtle education program and has grown into a network connecting students with hands-on coastal environmental learning. Ocean Connectors has expanded to include a Whale Exploration program for fifth graders, a Bird and Habitat Study for sixth graders, a Shark Investigation for seventh graders, and student research opportunities.
“We’re all about creating the next generation of environmental stewards and provide programming for students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to interact with and care about our oceans,” said Janaira Quigley, the organization’s Executive Director.
A Positive Impact
Students taking part in TCoP-related field trips are grateful for opportunities.
“I loved learning about the ocean and getting to see everything up close,” wrote one eighth grader. “It was an unforgettable experience that taught me so much about how to protect our environment and the animals that live there. Thank you for making learning so fun.”
Wrote another eighth-grader: “The things that you guys do for not only schools, but also for the ocean and environment, is greatly appreciated.”
Stated a third: “Thank you for teaching me more about the ocean and cleaning it up. It was super fun.”
Future generations will also benefit. “We’ve connected with and built new relationships with after-school coordinators, while also getting a more universal understanding of the processes involved in developing MOUs and working with schools,” Shayna said. “It’s been a worthwhile experience for everyone.”
