Our Adventures in Stewardship program provides two fun-packed days of outdoor learning for third, fourth, and fifth grade public school classes in Taos County. These programs are designed to give students the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with the natural world and spark curiosity and appreciation for ecological systems. The students are also given the chance to learn about an applied issue in ecology and natural resource management in Taos County by participating in an activity that contributes to the conservation or restoration of local ecosystems. We believe that in order to want to protect something, you have to learn to love it first.

Day 1 involves a hike or nature walk in one of our beautiful watersheds around Taos. This outdoor setting offers the perfect context for the students to learn about environmental ethics, explore a particular topic in ecology through games and creative exercises, and become trained observers of the flora, fauna and geology they encounter along the way. The topics in ecology that classes learn about on the first outing include: traits and adaptations (third grade), pollinator partnerships (fourth grade), and foodwebs (fifth grade). This first day is a joyful and fun expedition into the natural world that enhances student’s understanding and appreciation for their local environment. 

Equipped with curiosity and enthusiasm from Day 1, students become environmental stewards on Day 2. On this second excursion we partner with other local organizations involved in conservation, restoration, or natural resource management to give the students the opportunity to learn about applied issues and participate in land and water stewardship in Taos. Third graders plant native seeds as part of a watershed restoration project, while fourth graders plant trees to help with forest fire recovery or riparian habitat restoration. Fifth graders get to celebrate the completion of their learning journey on day 2, their final day with the Adventures in Stewardship program, by going river rafting in the Rio Grande Gorge or exploring the canyons of Wild Rivers Recreation Area alongside exotic llamas. !