Students from five high schools across Santa Cruz County got to experience the forest firsthand on Tuesday, learn about the sustainable harvesting of wood and inspect the damage caused by the Lockheed Fire last year. The all-day program, called the Santa Cruz Forestry Challenge, was first launched in 2003 to give students a better idea of forest management and stewardship. This year it was sponsored by Big Creek and Redwood Empire. Students visited the Davenport lumber mill and gained an appreciation of the science behind forestry management.
Students from five high schools across Santa Cruz County got to experience the forest firsthand on Tuesday, learn about the sustainable harvesting of wood and inspect the damage caused by the Lockheed Fire last year. The all-day program, called the Santa Cruz Forestry Challenge, was first launched in 2003 to give students a better idea of forest management and stewardship. This year it was sponsored by Big Creek and Redwood Empire. Students visited the Davenport lumber mill and gained an appreciation of the science behind forestry management.
While students were enthusiastic about the program, teacher Charmain Ryan explained why she thought it was so important. “This type of learning opportunity serves as the bridge between theory and experiential. We’re in Watsonville,” she said, “and oftentimes our students are pretty removed from the forest. It’s a great experience and good to be aware of what’s nearby.” The program, she believed, offers students the perfect opportunity to get to know the natural treasures that surround them—treasures that are all too often overlooked. After all, it really is true that sometimes you can’t see the trees for the forest. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
