Conservation Through Education
AFC is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of land stewards in order to ensure the protection of natural open space in our communities in perpetuity. To achieve this, we established our Conservation through Education Program.
As we preserve these vital open spaces, we actively engage with surrounding communities—neighbors, families, teachers, students, and friends—by educating them on the value of local natural habitats. This includes education on the wildlife, native plants, geology, and conservation needs. We seek community input to guide our stewardship of each property. Through field trips, community educational events, and inclusive opportunities for all ages and backgrounds, we aim to make nature accessible to everyone. True to this belief, all of our educational programming is offered at no cost.
Scroll through this page to learn about our many education programs, or click on one of the topics below to jump to a section.Â
Field Trips
In addition to providing critical natural habitat for wildlife, our preserves serve as outdoor classrooms. Our Conservation Through Education Program provides free bus transportation to our preserves for K-12 schools across Los Angeles County. Spending time outdoors is critical to well-being; these excursions provide students with meaningful and memorable educational experiences where they can connect to the animals, plants, and landscapes of our region.
Aligned with the STEM Education and Climate Literacy Acts, our curriculum is led by trained docents who guide students through our preserves. Our core field trip topics—Native Plants, Geology, and Local Avifauna—also include information about wildlife and wildlife corridors, ecology, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous culture and history, and stewardship.
Field trips at our Rosemont Preserve in La Crescenta offer students a unique opportunity to actively explore restored landscape firsthand. As they are guided through the preserve, they are immersed in the scents and sounds of nature, catch glimpses of elusive wildlife, and see real examples of habitat restoration work. These living outdoor labs allow students to directly interact with the ecological processes they’re learning about.
Use the button below to learn more and request a field trip.
Community Education Events
Our volunteer docents, who form AFC’s extensive network of local experts, lead engaging presentations on topics ranging from wildlife photography and birding to mindfulness in nature. These events are free and open to the public, offering unique opportunities to learn from passionate community members dedicated to conservation and education.
If you’re interested in joining our network and leading a community education event, we’d love to hear from you! Please email Program Director Kyle Cavazos at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org with your area of expertise.
Use the button below to register for an upcoming event.
Internships
AFC interns explore local wildlife, plants, and ecology through hands-on learning and habitat restoration. In partnership with Occidental College’s Computational Biology Lab, participants engage in urban conservation by studying wildlife corridors, conducting field research, and learning wildlife camera-trapping techniques. High school students can join the intensive two-week High School Training Program, which includes hands-on fieldwork, habitat restoration, wildlife research, and an introduction to conservation storytelling. College interns will gain a comprehensive 10-week internship experience, participating in wildlife tracking, environmental science, and urban conservation projects while receiving mentorship and presenting their findings at the Occidental Undergraduate Summer Research Conference.
Use the button below to learn more and to apply.
Scout Projects
We offer dedicated mentors from the AFC network to guide scouts in completing impactful projects on our properties. These mentors provide support, expertise, and hands-on guidance to ensure that each project contributes meaningfully to our conservation efforts. Past projects we’ve supervised include building accessible trails and bridges, planting native gardens to enhance biodiversity, and creating educational plant and wildlife flashcards to raise awareness about local species. By working closely with scouts, we help them develop valuable skills while fostering a deeper connection to the land and its preservation.
For scout project requests, please email AFC Land Manager & Community Liaison Tim Martinez at timmartinez@arroyosfoothills.org.
Public Outreach
AFC actively supports its mission by participating in a variety of community outreach events, from school science nights to community garden fundraisers, where we engage with the public and share valuable insights on urban conservation. These events provide an opportunity for us to educate and inspire others about the importance of preserving and restoring our local ecosystems.
If you’re hosting an event or know of one where AFC could contribute, we’d love to be involved. Please reach out to Program Director Kyle Cavazos at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org to discuss opportunities for collaboration.