Olympic Alcoa Scholars Session Two in the Backcountry
On Tuesday afternoon, our second session of Olympic Alcoa Scholars returned to Lake Crescent campus after seven exciting days in the backcountry. Met with sunshine, wildlife, and blueberries, the group successfully hiked from Sol Duc River to the Hoh Rainforest to cover about 30 miles in total.
While enjoying the serenity and peaceful beauty of the Olympic backcountry, the group of 10 Scholars spent the time working on their science investigations, learning about the unique biodiversity in the park, discussing ways to mitigate climate change and effectively becoming environmental leaders in the process.
Led by NatureBridge educators Caleb and Justine, their trip began with the rushing beauty of Sol Duc Falls. Though they experienced a torrential downpour their second night at Deer Lake, the group had beautiful weather for the remainder of the trip (giving their gear a chance to fully dry out!)
I was really surprised and proud of myself the day we went over the High Divide. I didn’t think I could do it. But then I got to the top of the ridge and I was like, ‘Holy Crap, I did that!’Alcoa Scholar Abby B., Sewickley, PA
Highlights from the trip include celebrating two birthdays (Abby’s and Jamie’s), seeing three bears, marmots and a coyote, lots of singing (80's classics, Disney, Amy Winehouse, Queen, you name it) and nightly open mic nights around the campsite. The group had some great backcountry culinary successes, including cookies and pancakes. They also hosted a “Master Chef” competition in which the winning group concocted a dinner complete with quinoa, summer sausage and sorel mushrooms.
Though the whole program was full of highlights and great views, many of the Scholars cited the day they reached the High Divide as their favorite day on program. One of their most physically challenging days (complete with a six mile hike and significant elevation gain), the Scholars loved this day because of the amount of wildlife they saw, and the feeling of accomplishment they experienced when they reached the high country of the High Divide and got a glimpse of Mount Olympus.
The Scholars reached the Hoh River trailhead on Tuesday, completing their seven-day journey. Several of the Scholars did a victory lap around the Hall of Mosses Trail, an 0.8 mile loop next to the trailhead with iconic views of big leaf maple trees covered with thick layers of moss and other epiphytes. The group stopped at Rialto Beach on the way home, giving several of the Scholars their first view of the Pacific Ocean. Back on campus, the students de-issued their gear and filled up on some fresh burritos.
On Wednesday, the Scholars collected one last data point at nearby Barnes Creek, went for a paddle in NatureBridge’s 21-person Salish style canoe, and then began synthesizing the data they collected into a presentation that they will give to their peers and NatureBridge staff, encapsulating what they learned from the program. The presentations will take place this evening in NatureBridge’s Storm King Classroom. We can’t wait to watch their presentations, and to see what these Scholars will go on to accomplish as future environmental leaders!
Stories
In Memory of Ty Cobb: A Visionary Leader of Resilience and Impact
Ty Cobb, former CEO of Yosemite National Institutes (now NatureBridge), passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in Reno at the age of 84. Known for his visionary leadership, resilience, and ability to inspire collaboration, Ty guided YNI through some of its most difficult moments while building a foundation for its future growth and success.
WildLink November 2024: Woodlake High School
This November, Woodlake High School students and chaperones arrived in Yosemite for their first year as a WildLink school, and we are so excited to have them on the team! That means that the brave students who signed up for this expedition had virtually no idea what to expect before signing up for the trip, because none of their peers had experienced it before them! The week, although quite frigid, was full of lovely views, learning about Wilderness, spending lots of time by the river, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Wilderness. Their educators Sarah and Amelia were excited to help this group feel a sense of belonging in this place. They were also lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Lissie on their first day in the Wilderness!
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.