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SPOTLIGHT
'Vive Verde!'
Exposing Santa Ana youth to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and other important life lessons
With help from a hissing cockroach, a giant millipede, a brown rat and a cast of other characters native to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, IRC recently provided fifth-grade students from Santa Ana a unique hands-on lesson in the wonders of nature. Led by Kelley Reetz, IRC Naturalist, and Rosey Bautista, IRC Science and Stewardship Assistant, the four-week program involved students from Jefferson Elementary School. Named "Vive Verde" (live green), the program was conducted by IRC through the Santa Ana College Leadership Initiative (SACLI). Its purpose is to help children gain an appreciation for nature and discover ways they can make a positive difference for the environment. "The Vive Verde program was an amazing experience," says Rosey. "I was pleasantly surprised to see that the kids were very focused and actually wanted to learn more about the topics we were discussing. My hope is that when they are faced with an issue in the future, whether it is environmental or personal, that they will remember this program and will make informed decisions." Kelley and Rosey went to the school several times and spoke to the children about various topics, including physical health and nutrition, the planet and environmental health, mental health, and an introduction to native wildlife. In addition, staff from Oak Nature Center stopped by with some very special critters, including hissing cockroaches, a giant millipede, a Western toad, Rosey the Boa, a Gopher snake, a Tiger Salamander and a brown rat. Another session included a presentation by two gang intervention specialists from Taller San Jose who talked about gangs, bullies and peer pressure. The program ended with a field trip to Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine’s open space preserve for a hands-on nature experience. The Bommer Canyon outing consisted of various outdoor activities, including birding that was led by IRC Naturalist Evelyn Brown; a new nature trail hike guided by IRC Naturalist Brian Hughes; and a scat and tracking hike led by Kelley Reetz. The program was an overall sensory experience from interactive discussions inside the classroom to a mini-adventure within the beauty of nature. "This is a wonderful pilot program for inner city children in Santa Ana," says Kelley. "The program was a fun way to explore the unique habitats of Southern California, starting from the school playground itself all the way to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. While many of the students have limited access to open spaces, that doesn't mean they do not care about the environment. Through our different activities and candid classroom discussions about peer pressure and gangs, the students were empowered and encouraged to make a difference in their classrooms, neighborhoods as well as their Earth. This effort is a terrific starting point to connect inner city kids to the grand open spaces that exist right in their backyards."
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