Educate

Educated stewards are effective stewards

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Educate to Empower

Planting seeds for the future

Education through Connection

SYRCL provides education that aims to create life-long stewards of the Yuba River watershed and create linkages between the River Education program and other areas of our work.

We do this through programs and curriculum for students of all levels, incorporating lessons about topics such as:

  • Watershed health
  • Yuba salmon
  • Climate change
  • Water conservation
  • Outdoor experiential learning
  • Scientific monitoring

We strive to empower, engage, and collaborate with local youth and learning communities.

Programs & Opportunities

Learn more about SYRCL’s educational experiences

Salmon Expeditions

SYRCL’s Salmon Expeditions are an incredible opportunity for you, your family, or your child’s school to adventure down the Yuba River to see spawning salmon! We work with amazing volunteers, local river rafting guides from H2O Adventures, and scientists from the University of California to offer the community several different options to get its hands (and feet) wet while learning about the salmon life cycle, their ecology, and human impact on these extraordinary fish. We hope you’ll join us out on the river.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival’s School Program

Wild & Scenic Film Festival’s school programs present film programming to over 2,500 students from our local community and neighboring counties. SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival Education Team curates age-appropriate, engaging, and inspiring content for K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th grade film screenings. An important part of our school programs, the Wild & Scenic education team creates film-specific, standards-based curriculum for participating educators from local elementary, middle, and high schools for further classroom enrichment.

Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity

The Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity known as YOLO is a FREE five-day summer science expedition for local 9th-12th graders to engage in local climate action and watershed restoration efforts! Selected students participate in a fully funded, hands-on research expedition studying meadows in Tahoe National Forest alongside real scientists and other students.

High School Water Quality Project

SYRCL and Tahoe National Forest (TNF) offer this program designed to engage middle and high school students in water quality monitoring. Students are trained in water quality monitoring practices, collecting water quality data, analyzing and interpreting the data they collect with SYRCL’s comprehensive River Monitoring Data sets, and learning river etiquette to become River Ambassadors.

Educational Programs & Events

Upcoming Events

Click here to view dates and details for all Educational Events.

Additional Opportunities

Environmentalist of the Year Award

This scholarship, administered by SYRCL, is offered annually in the summer to graduating high school seniors that have demonstrated a commitment to the environment.

We have offered this $4,000 scholarship ($1,000/year for four years) annually to local students since 2002.

Scholarship monies are sent directly to the recipient’s college or university and can be applied toward tuition or fees.

The following are requirements to apply:

  • You must be a resident of either Nevada County, Yuba County, or Sierra County
  • Minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
  • Commitment to pursue an environmentally-related degree
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one of which is from a teacher, coach, or mentor)
  • Demonstrated community leadership, extra-curricular activity, environmental volunteerism
  • Need is a consideration in awarding this scholarship
  • Preference will be given to students with a history of volunteering at SYRCL, but is not required to receive this award

Internships & Senior Projects

Are you a high school or college student passionate about environmental conservation, or are you interested in pursuing a career in environmental science? SYRCL’s Internship & Senior Project Program aims to inspire lifelong stewardship of the Yuba Watershed, our environment and communities, providing individuals the opportunity to develop skills needed for a successful career in conservation. Unpaid internship & senior project opportunities are offered seasonally.

Educate & Invigorate

We invite everyone to learn more – education is a key factor in how our community can best steward the Yuba watershed.

Stay informed, educated, and inspired by taking part in one of our educational programs, attending events, volunteering, and keeping up with SYRCL news.

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