Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders: Girls in Science 2025

This summer, the South Yuba River Citizens League proudly welcomed two Earthwatch Girls in Science teams to the watershed. The fellowship program, launched by Earthwatch in 2016, empowers high school girls to build confidence and leadership skills through hands-on environmental research. 

This year, 12 students from across California joined SYRCL’s science and education teams in the field. Their work focused on meadow restoration and monitoring — critical projects that support biodiversity, improve hydrology, and reduce human impacts on Sierra ecosystems. For SYRCL, these collaborations are at the heart of our Education Department’s mission: engaging youth in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that cultivate lifelong environmental stewardship. 

Science in Action 

The Girls in Science program gives students more than textbooks ever could. Through activities like plant surveys, groundwater monitoring, and hydrology studies, participants gain a deeper understanding of how healthy meadows store water, sequester carbon, and provide habitat for wildlife. They also have the chance to learn directly from SYRCL staff and scientists about career paths in conservation, research, and education. 

As one student, Daniela Sanchez, reflected: 

“I think one of the most impactful parts of the program for me was just seeing people with the careers I think are so cool. Through talking with them, I felt so much more instilled with the confidence that I can also do those things in the future.” 

Fieldwork Highlights 

• Team One spent their week in the North Yuba’s Haskell Peak Meadows complex, a collection of five meadows: Haskell, Freeman, Chapman, Bear Trap, and West Church. This was the first time Earthwatch students worked in this area. They assisted with plant survey plots, learned meadow hydrology, collected vegetation data, and even helped researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno with carbon monitoring. 

• Team Two focused on Van Norden Meadow, where they measured stream channel cross sections, monitored groundwater, took photo points, and tracked changes in areas where invasive Reed Canary grass had been removed or tarped. These hands-on experiences gave them firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of long-term ecological restoration. 

Building Confidence, Building Community 

While the scientific skills gained are invaluable, the program also fosters something just as important: connection. Students arrive without knowing one another, but, over the course of a week, they bond through shared experiences and shared purpose. 

Cheska Lopez, a member of Team Two, shared: 

“It was really powerful to get the chance to connect with girls from many different backgrounds. In our conversations, we shared our stories, challenges, and dreams. These moments reminded me that although our journeys are unique, we share a common drive to create change in our communities and in the STEAM field. Hearing their perspectives broadened my understanding of the world and strengthened my ability to approach problems with empathy and openness. This experience gave me a stronger sense of purpose in my future work.” 

Investing in Future Stewards 

At SYRCL, we know that protecting the Yuba watershed requires investing in the next generation of river stewards. Programs like Earthwatch’s Girls in Science not only deepen students’ scientific knowledge but also give them the confidence, skills, and sense of belonging needed to lead in their schools, communities, and careers. 

By fostering curiosity, collaboration, and care for the environment, SYRCL’s Education Department is helping ensure that today’s students grow into tomorrow’s leaders for a more resilient Yuba River watershed. 

Want to learn more about SYRCL’s education programs? See how we’re inspiring the future of environmental stewardship here: Educate • SYRCL.