Educating Youth

At no cost to schools, we are the largest provider of environmental education in the Sonoma Valley United School District, offering in-classroom lessons, field trips, science camps, paid apprenticeships, and resources for educators.

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Elementary School Programs

Our Watershed Education Program modules support the Common Core State Standards and California’s Next Generation Science Standards. The program consists of three grade-level science modules for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.

  • Wildlife Defenders is the 2nd grade module of our Watershed Education Program. This module focuses on concepts of habitat, adaption and survival, natural communities, and life cycles through the lens of the oak woodland ecosystem. Using models and hands-on explorations, students will learn about the specific flora and fauna that make up their local ecosystem, including what they can do as stewards of this diverse natural community. Our field trip is to the Montini Open Space Preserve (located near downtown Sonoma), a beautiful oak woodland with meandering trails.

  • Fire Followers is the 3rd grade module of our Watershed Education Program. This module focuses on the positive and negative effects of wildfires on our lands and topics such as prescribed burns, fire-dependent plants and animals, soil chemistry and carbon sequestration. The Fire Followers field trip is to the Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve.

  • Growing Discovery is the 4th grade module of our Watershed Education Program. Using interactive games and investigations, this module focuses on pollination and pollinators, the structure and function of flowers, food chains, and decomposition. Students will learn how our food is grown and sustainable agriculture concepts, including what they can do to foster a healthy local and backyard ecosystem. Our field trip is to the Sonoma Garden Park, a 6-acre working farm and garden.

  • Water Wonders is the 5th grade module of our Watershed Education Program. This module focuses on watersheds using our very own Sonoma Creek Watershed as a model. Topics include water conservation, types of pollution and its prevention, the salmon life-cycle and anatomy (with a salmon dissection), and creek ecosystems. Students will learn where Sonoma Valley’s water comes from and goes to, and what they can do to foster a healthy local watershed and ecosystem. Our field trip is to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, home to the headwaters of Sonoma Creek.

Teen EnviroLeader Program

EnviroLeaders foster diverse, environmentally literate community leaders from among Sonoma Valley’s youth. Any Sonoma Valley resident between the ages of 14 and 18 can gain valuable paid work experience, with the skills and tools needed to tackle the critical challenges they will face as tomorrow’s leaders.

Sonoma Valley teens have the opportunity to gain essential job and life skills through sustainable agriculture, community building, and park stewardship over a semester-long employment program. EnviroLeaders are mentored by Sonoma Ecology Center educators and other professionals in the environmental field. They meet twice a week, at the Sonoma Garden Park and other sites around Sonoma Valley. EnviroLeaders are paid and hourly wage for their work.

Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 Cohort! Apply by August 30.

Fall 2026 Program Dates: September 9 through November 7, Wednesdays 3:00-6:00 pm and Saturdays 9:30 am-12:30 pm at Sonoma Garden Park.

Spread the word! Download the EnviroLeaders flyer in English and Spanish or share on Instagram and Facebook.

  • We are looking for students who are good team players, have strong communication skills, are willing to learn, and have an interest in working on sustainable communities and climate change.

    To apply, fill out this online application form and email a cover letter and your resume to tony@sonomaecologycenter.org, or mail them to the following address:

    Tony Passantino
    c/o Sonoma Ecology Center
    PO Box 1486
    Eldridge, CA 95431

  • EnviroLeaders meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with schedules varying by season:

    • Fall (September 9–November 7):
      Wednesdays, 3:00–6:00 pm and Saturdays, 9:30 AM–12:30 pm

    • Spring (March–May):
      Wednesdays, 3:00–6:00 pm and Saturdays, 9:30 am–12:30 am

    • Summer (June–August): Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9:00–12:00 pm

Science Camps

Our Summer Science Camps at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Sonoma Garden Park provide children with the opportunity to learn about science and connect with nature through adventures, explorations, and hands-on activities.

  • We invite you to a week full of discovery, creativity, and PLAY as an Earth Explorer this summer! Against the backdrop of Sonoma Garden Park—equipped with a nature-based playground, multiple child-friendly gardens, and shaded rest areas—campers are given a safe space to explore, learn, build, and create to the beat of their own drum.

    → Learn more

  • Join us at Creek Camp and learn all about local plants, animals, and the indigenous Wappo, Coast Miwok, and Southern Pomo peoples who have called Sugarloaf Ridge State Park home for generations, while exploring Sugarloaf’s trails and splashing around in the creek. Each day includes a balance of games, hiking, and storytelling, providing a wonderful opportunity for your child to unwind, recharge, and learn this summer without the distractions of screen time.

    → Learn more

Sonoma Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC)

Made up of 19 member-organizations, SEEC is a regional consortium of environmental education professionals from organizations, agencies, networks, and school districts in the region that come together to amplify impacts in environmental literacy.

For years, environmental educators from SEEC have collaborated with teachers to ensure that every child K-6 receives some form of environmental education from one of SEEC’s member organizations. Richard Dale, SEC’s Executive Director, was one of its founding members. In 2024, Tony Passantino, Sonoma Ecology Center’s Education Program Manager became the Chair of SEEC’s Steering Committee.

Within SEEC, Tony is on the steering committee of the Pathways Project, and in working groups to develop this program. The Pathways Project aims to significantly elevate the impact of outdoor environmental education across Sonoma County, particularly in underserved communities. This program provides Title I schools in the county, ensuring that every student in these schools have at least 4 touchpoints of environmental education from Transitional Kindergarten (TK)/Kindergarten to 6th grade.