activities · 4
what they do
direct service · 3
- Community W.A.T.E.R. Educational Field TripsOffers school field trips at Pima County Stormwater Park sites in Tucson, providing students with experiential learning focused on green stormwater infrastructure, watershed systems, and urban ecology.
- Field Studies for Schools Sonoran Desert Environmental EducationProvides experiential environmental education programs for 7th through 12th grade students and educators, ranging from 40-minute virtual sessions to multi-day camping trips in the Sonoran Desert, designed to connect learners with local ecosystems.
- Youth Internship ProgramsOperates paid internship programs for high school youth (ages 15–18), including Youth for Blue Skies and Community W.A.T.E.R., which involve hands-on environmental projects, fieldwork, a 3-day/2-night campout, and culminate in presentations at the CRiA (Collaborative Research in Action) Symposium; participants receive a $400 stipend upon completion.
capacity building · 1
- Educator Professional Development Workshops Guided Environmental Field TripsConducts capacity-building workshops for educators, including "Bridging Schools & Parks," "Community W.A.T.E.R. Advocate," "Down to Earth," and "Anza Trail," which focus on integrating nature-based and community science learning into classrooms, often including free field trip access and curriculum development support.
strategies · 7
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Environmental justice and climate education environmental educationEducates youth on air quality, climate change, and environmental justice through direct experiences with nature and community-based learning in the Sonoran Desert.
- Equity-centered youth engagement equity-centered community engagementPrioritizes inclusion and equity in engaging diverse youth populations, ensuring access to nature-based and educational programs that reflect the communities in the Sonoran Desert region.
- Nature-based experiential education experiential educationUses hands-on, outdoor experiences in the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands region—such as backcountry excursions, urban explorations, and green stormwater infrastructure projects—to connect youth with nature and apply classroom learning in real-world contexts, fostering deeper understanding and engagement.
- Place-based environmental learning place-based educationIntegrates local ecological and cultural knowledge of the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands region into field experiences and curriculum, using place-based education to increase engagement and support environmental career pathways.
- Systems thinking for ecological understanding systems thinkingTeaches youth to understand environmental challenges through a systems lens, emphasizing interconnectedness among social, ecological, and economic systems in conservation, restoration, and sustainability planning.
- Youth wellness through nature and nutrition youth wellnessPromotes holistic youth development by integrating physical activity, teamwork, character building, and nutrition education using sustainably sourced foods within healthy natural environments.
- Youth-led community stewardship community actionEngages youth in all phases of environmental projects—from research and planning to implementation and maintenance—empowering them to address community issues and contribute solutions through local partnerships and action-oriented programming.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Anza Trail - Teacher Workshop
A professional development workshop exploring the history and ecological/cultural stories along the Juan Batista de Anza Trail in the Santa Cruz River region.
Bridging Schools & Parks- Teacher Workshop
A professional development program for teachers to learn how to bring nature and community science to their classrooms, including a free field trip to Saguaro National Park.
Community W.A.T.E.R. - Class Field Trips
Provides educational, experiential learning opportunities for students at Pima County Stormwater Park sites in Tucson, focusing on green stormwater infrastructure and watershed education.
Community W.A.T.E.R. - Teacher Workshop
An educator workshop in partnership with Pima County Regional Flood Control District, designed to use urban landscapes and Stormwater Parks for dynamic learning experiences.
Down to Earth - Teacher Workshop
A 2-day professional development workshop exploring wild and urban landscapes, focusing on ecological interactions and creating field-based lesson plans.
EcoPrograms
Skill-building programs including camping and backpacking adventures, involving youth in stewardship projects from research and planning to implementation and maintenance.
Field Studies for Schools (FSS)
Connects educators and 7th-12th grade students to the Sonoran Desert through experiential learning programs, ranging from virtual experiences to multi-day camping trips.
Keystone Educators
A program for teachers and educators in southern AZ providing early access to Field Studies for Schools, internship applications, EcoProgram registrations, and paid professional development opportunities.
Youth for Blue Skies Internship
An environmental and community-based internship program for high school youth (ages 15-18) in partnership with Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, focusing on air quality, climate change, and environmental justice.
relationships · 6
who they work with
- Clean Air Program Partner — Partners on the Youth for Blue Skies internship program to teach youth about air quality action.
- Pima County Department of Environmental Quality Partner — Partners on the Youth for Blue Skies internship program to teach youth about air quality action.
- Pima County Regional Flood Control District Partner — Partners on the Community WATER Advocate program, an educator workshop focused on urban landscapes and Stormwater Parks.
- Saguaro National Park Staff Partner — Collaborates on a teacher workshop to bring nature and community science to classrooms.
- TUSD Culturally Responsive Pedagogy & Instruction (CRPI) Partner — Organizes the CRiA (Collaborative Research in Action) Symposium where youth interns present their topics.
- Youth for Blue Skies Partner — Youth internship program collaborating on community projects.