2017 Shenandoah Alcoa Scholars: Trekking the Wilderness
Last Thursday, our 2017 Alcoa Scholars departed homebase and ventured off to explore the wilderness ofShenandoah National Park in Virginia. Led by our NatureBridge educators, our Scholars engaged on a quest of scientific investigation and personal self-discovery for seven days. Tomorrow, Scholars will return from the backpacking trip with their educators, present their findings and share their experience with an audience of peers and invited guests in Washington, D.C.
While we wait to hear back from our Scholars firsthand, here are some cool experiences and interesting encounters they’ve had on their expedition so far.
Black Bear Sighting #
Scholars also had an up-close (and safe!) encounter with an Ursus Americanus, also known as a black bear. Contrary to popular belief, black bears are actually quite timid in nature and aren’t known for their aggressive behavior toward humans. In fact, there have only been 61 human deaths caused by black bears since the year 1900. Students got the opportunity to observe the bear while they were conducting science experiments on trail. The next morning, the campers awoke and found they’d had another member of the family visit their campsite who had left evidence just three feet away from their tent!
Night Hiking in Big Meadows #
Our Scholars were divided into two groups, each one taking its own path this week. One of our groups got the chance to do a night hike in Big Meadows, a campground that is home to white-tailed deer, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels and a variety of birds. The meadow is known for the beautiful changing colors of its night sky. Psyched for the solar eclipse this year? Head to Shenandoah National Park and attend the Night Sky Festival from Friday, August 18 - Monday, August 21. The festival will include constellation tours, solar scope viewing, telescope viewing, Junior Ranger programs, audio-visual presentations, hands-on activities, and of course a viewing of the 2017 Solar Eclipse.
Crossing the Appalachian Trail #
Scholars hiked through the diverse deciduous forest of Shenandoah, going up and down rocky trails for between 4 and 8 miles each day. Their route went through a national scenic path called the Appalachian Trail, a 2,180+ mile-long footpath starting in Central Maine going all the way up to northern Georgia. The Appalachian Trail came to fruition in 1937 after being built by private citizens over a period of 17 years and now serves as one of the most biodiverse recreational trails, passing through 14 states, eight national forests and six national park units. Consider doing the 14 State Challenge and receive a certificate of completion from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Visit our Facebook page later this week to view photos of our 2017 Shenandoah Alcoa Scholars' backpacking expedition! To view photos of the first leg of their trip, click through our photo album.
ABOUT ALCOA SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Alcoa Scholars program, hosted by NatureBridge and Alcoa Foundation, is an immersive, two-week environmental science program that allows high school students to learn and grow in some of the world’s most beautiful protected lands. 55 students from Alcoa communities around the world explore the wonders of the natural world in Yosemite National Park and Shenandoah National Park through backcountry exploration, hands-on science experiments and research, outdoor experiential learning and social emotional learning activities designed to connect Scholars to nature, sustainability, and each other. The Alcoa Scholars converge from different nations and backgrounds to form a community of environmental stewards that will explore environmental issues from a global community's perspective.
Stories
Fall Reflections from NatureBridge Yosemite
As an environmental science educator, I spend a lot of time teaching about nature, but this season I’ve been finding that as it turns out, nature has a lot to teach us, too. Sometimes I can let the trees, the meadow, and the lichen teach for me. They show us how to respect each other’s boundaries, how to celebrate differences, how to work together, and how to lean on each other’s strengths in order to exist in a new place. These lessons felt incredibly relevant to me heading into the first week of November, a notoriously busy time at NatureBridge Yosemite. I wanted to focus on messages of kindness and inclusivity with my students, I wanted them to feel a sense of belonging in this new space, and I also hoped that they would share those messages with others.
An Incredible 10th Anniversary of Evening on the Lake
On October 25, the Amazon Meeting Center in downtown Seattle buzzed with celebratory energy as over 300 NatureBridge guests and supporters gathered for the 10th anniversary of "Evening on the Lake," our signature Pacific Northwest fundraising event for our Olympic campus.
"Science became fun" at NatureBridge for Alum Laura Lomeli Russert
Laura Lomeli Russert is a NatureBridge alum who grew up in Groveland, CA and now calls Washington, D.C. home. Laura’s journey with NatureBridge began when she attended the Golden Gate campus as a young student with her class from Tenaya Elementary. Laura credits NatureBridge with shaping not only her love for nature but also her passion for education and science. "Science became fun,” she recalls. “You weren’t learning from a textbook anymore, and it became so much more real." Her hands-on, scientific experiences at NatureBridge laid the foundation for her eventual pursuit of a Ph.D. in psychology. “I feel like I owe a lot to NatureBridge."