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.
Students explore how Indigenous peoples, particularly through the Native American Land Conservancy (NALC), preserve ancestral lands and cultural practices. They reflect on the intersection of cultural heritage and environmental conservation. A reflective writing activity deepens understanding of how cultural identity and ecological stewardship are interwoven.
This lesson focuses on the Mojave Desert and the Mojave Desert Land Trust's restoration efforts. Students analyze threats to desert ecosystems and develop strategies for habitat restoration and species protection. A hands-on project asks students to research native desert species and propose conservation actions.
Students learn about light pollution and its effects on wildlife, ecosystems, and cultural traditions. They investigate real-world solutions, including the WISDOM program, which protects night skies in the Mojave Desert.
Students examine how human activities impact coastal ecosystems and learn ways to support sustainable interaction with these environments. After viewing a science video, students engage in group discussions and design fictional coastal communities that balance human and environmental needs. Emphasizes Indigenous environmental stewardship and systems thinking.
Students explore the deep cultural and spiritual connections Native American communities have with their ancestral lands. Through video storytelling and class discussion, students analyze the impact of land loss and reflect on Native resilience and cultural preservation. Activities include journaling, group reflection, and creative writing from Indigenous perspectives.
This interdisciplinary poetry unit invites students to explore voice, identity, memory, gratitude, and interconnectedness through the lens of Joy Harjo’s poetry and worldview. Over the course of five multi-session lessons, students will read, analyze, and respond to poems by Joy Harjo—the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate—while crafting their own original poetry. Blending reading, writing, visual art, and social-emotional learning, the unit supports students in reflecting on their lived experiences and expressing themselves creatively.
