What do John Muir, time travel, blackberries, California Golden Poppies, the American River Conservancy,  Adventure Academy, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife all have in common? All of these elements came together for one unforgettable day, where Sequoia Grove students stretched their minds, made new friends, and spoke up for nature.

Each year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife hosts Nature Bowl, an annual science-based educational competition for students in 3rd - 6th grade.  Teams from around the region face off in a nature knowledge showdown, with events ranging from nature-themed relay races to quick-fire trivia and team problem-solving challenges. 

The crown jewel of Nature Bowl is the Enviromercial—a short skit in which students educate the audience about a local environmental issue. In addition to performing, teams are interviewed by a panel of judges about their chosen topic. While the skit may be short, the preparation is anything but. Students spend weeks researching, rehearsing, and participating in environmental stewardship projects to bring their message to life.

To support students preparing for this journey, Adventure Academy stepped in as the perfect partner. As an academic enrichment program for TK - 8th grade students in the Sequoia Grove Charter Schools family, Adventure Academy quickly incorporated a Citizen Science class focused on researching invasive species into its course offerings.

To bring learning to life, the Citizen Science class collaborated with the American River Conservancy (ARC) to create a custom learning experience. This experience included two virtual class visits with the ARC and a hands-on field trip at the ARC’s Salmon Falls Ranch property. 

Braving the unpredictable March weather, students, learning coaches, and siblings rolled up their sleeves to do something for nature. Working alongside ARC staff, students removed invasive Himalayan blackberries and learned firsthand the importance of conservation work. Through this experience, they developed a deeper appreciation for the role of local conservancies and evoked a sense of personal responsibility to care for these wild lands. 

On April 9th, armed with a relentless passion for nature and homemade educational posters on invasive species, several Sequoia Grove students competed in Nature Bowl.  Due to their preparation in Citizen Science, our students were well-prepared for the Enviromercial skit and interview.  During the Enviromercial skit, the judges all smiled when they saw John Muir — thanks to a bit of theatrical time travel — witness the surprising impact of invasive species on California’s ecosystems.  In the interview, our students stunned the judges with facts about invasive plants and gifted them California Golden Poppy seeds, challenging them to “Do something for Wildness.”  A powerful reference to John Muir’s famous call to action.  

Although this year’s Nature Bowl season has come to a close, our students’ commitment to advocacy remains strong. They attended the Sacramento Student Showcase on May 22nd, where they shared what they have learned and encouraged others to “Do something for Wildness.”

Interested in joining the Nature Bowl team next year? Reach out to one of our volunteer coaches, Erica Cornwell, Melissa Bell, and Claudia Holland. You can also email erica.cornwell@sequoiagrove.org if you are interested in learning more. They will be glad to share how this incredible program empowers students through hands-on, passion-driven, authentic learning experiences.