Students on Micro Climate to Macro Climates activity

Sowing the Seeds for Understanding Climate Change

A love of nature and a sense of curiosity about how climate change affects our environment is being cultivated in hundreds of local youngsters, thanks to the educational efforts of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy (SDRVC).

The nonprofit is one of our Environmental Champions. Since 2010, we’ve supported the SDRVC’s efforts to engage students in learning about the environment by exposing them to the wonders of the San Dieguito River Valley. The watershed stretches from Volcan Mountain north of Julian to the San Dieguito Lagoon between Del Mar and Solana Beach.

Recently, the San Diego Union-Tribune spotlighted the conservancy’s work with students. One of the educational activities mentioned in the article is “Micro Climate on a Macro Scale”, of which we are a proud sponsor.

Part of the conservancy’s Watershed Explorers program, Micro Climate on Macro Scale takes kids to visit five different areas to study their micro-climates and the habitat within each of these areas, and how they are going to be affected by climate change.

Fielding Success

Late last year, students from High Tech Middle North County participated in a series of hikes (totaling more than 30 miles) to explore micro climates on a macro scale along the Coast to Crest Trail. The Climate Science Alliance, a partner of the SDRVC, provided regionally specific climate data to help students understand the challenges and opportunities associated with a changing climate. Students were encouraged to observe nature and record sightings in their field guides along the trail.

Some of our employees joined the students for their final hike, from Birdwing Open Air Classroom along San Dieguito Lagoon to North Beach in Del Mar.

After completing the hikes, students made presentations to their classmates and developed an online campaign to educate other San Diegans about the threats of climate change on a regional scale.

More Information

Learn more about our Environmental Champions initiative here. To read the San Diego Union Tribune article on the conservancy’s educational program, click on this link. More information about the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy is available here.