Students will learn and apply respectful communication protocols when engaging with local California tribal communities. Students will incorporate Indigenous voices, perspectives, and feedback into their understanding and representation of local histories and cultures.
Students will examine the historical and cultural significance of land acknowledgments and analyze their use in educational and public settings. Students will identify the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands they occupy and begin to explore the importance of recognizing those connections.
Students learn about the ecological and cultural restoration of Cache Creek. They study how the Yurok Tribe combines Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with modern science to rehabilitate ecosystems. Students design their own restoration plans for a local waterway, integrating Indigenous knowledge and environmental problem-solving.
This lesson focuses on the cultural and ecological importance of salmon to the Yurok people. Students examine how environmental changes and human activities have affected salmon populations. Through multimedia and collaborative projects, students explore salmon life cycles, conservation strategies, and the Yurok Tribe’s role in restoration efforts.
Students investigate the life cycle of sea stars and the process of spawning. Students will study how the Yurok Tribe and marine scientists collaborate to protect sea stars and maintain ocean biodiversity. Students create visual models of sea star life stages and design conservation campaigns to raise awareness of marine ecosystem health.
Students learn about the California condor’s unique adaptations and ecological role. They explore how the Yurok Tribe is leading efforts to reintroduce the condor to its ancestral lands. Activities include group research on threats to condors, the creation of educational campaigns, and reflections on how traditional knowledge and science work together in conservation.
Focuses on the ecological role of redwood forests in supporting biodiversity and combating climate change. Students study different redwood features (e.g., height, root systems) and analyze their importance to the broader ecosystem. Groups create actionable conservation strategies and educate others through posters or brochures.
Students investigate the unique adaptations that help redwood trees survive environmental challenges such as fire and drought. Each group researches a specific redwood characteristic (e.g., bark, sprouting roots) and connects it to the tree’s overall resilience. Students develop conservation plans and visual presentations to advocate for the protection of redwood forests.
Students explore the cultural and ecological restoration of the Presidio in San Francisco. They learn about the site's transformation from a military post to a national park through the lens of Indigenous knowledge and sustainability. Working in groups, students research specific areas of the Presidio and create advocacy campaigns to educate others about the importance of restoration.
Students study the science behind desert superblooms and their ecological roles. They explore how climate change could affect bloom frequency and biodiversity. The lesson includes a student research activity, concept mapping, and creative expression to demonstrate understanding and advocacy.
