STORIES FROM THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Partnering for Conservation: OBA at Jenner Headlands and Seawood Cape
The Wildlands Conservancy believes deeply in connecting people with nature in transformative ways. That’s why our longstanding partnership with Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is one we’re proud to celebrate.
Since 1962, OBA has been a national leader in outdoor education, dedicated to diversifying the outdoors and equipping BIPOC youth with the skills, confidence, and perspective to become conservation leaders. This summer, we were honored to welcome OBA back to our Sonoma and North Coast preserves.
Learning Outside the Classroom
This past school year, The Wildlands Conservancy’s Outdoor Discovery Program transformed the California desert into a vibrant classroom for 2,626 students across 36 schools, with 67 field trips led through stunning canyon trails and riverside habitats. Thanks to $7,300 in transportation funding from generous partners, these immersive experiences remained free and accessible to all.
Sparking Wonder at Wind Wolves Preserve
Sherryl Clendenen, biologist and outdoor educator who worked for Wildlands from 1998 to 2015, Wind Wolves Preserve was the perfect venue to integrate science and history into the lives of local students in a way that made learning come alive. Learn what shaped her philosophy and guided her work at Wind Wolves Preserve, where she built the outdoor education program from the ground up.
Meet Corby Hines: The New Ranger Leading Adventures at Jenner Headlands Preserve
Corby Hines, the newest ranger at Jenner Headlands Preserve, has a personal mission to connect people to land. Learn more about Coby including his favorite spot on Jenner Headlands Preserve.
Meet Jenifer Lopez-Valdez, Education Manager for the Desert Preserves
Jenifer Lopez-Valdez joined The Wildlands Conservancy team in 2020 and works as our education manager for the California Desert Preserves. Jenifer grew up in the Coachella Valley and attributes free outdoor education programs to steering her towards a fulfilling career in conservation.
Nature’s Niños Family Campout Program
Nature's Niños is a free, all-included camping program designed to provide enriching outdoor experiences for families from Latinx communities in the Coachella Valley. Through this program we aim to break down barriers and open doors to unforgettable outdoor adventures. At the heart of Nature's Niños lies a commitment to introducing families to the joys of camping while fostering a deeper connection with nature.
Meet Gary and Rebecca Peplow, Education Docents at Oak Glen Preserve
Gary and Rebecca Peplow, retired school teachers, volunteer as education docents for The Wildlands Conservancy at Oak Glen Preserve. Rebecca and Gary have a long history of enjoying the trails at Oak Glen Preserve, dating all the way back to 1997 when they would bring their own children to the preserve to hike the trails and enjoy being out in nature as a family…