Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1207269
158 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 districts that lack a travel budget. "Education lies at the hear t of everything that we do, whether it's working with Preserve owners or the 3,000 school kids a year who visit our lands for science-based outdoor edu- cation. Helping people understand what's so special about this place, and how they can help care for it, is always our beginning point," says Fischer. Older students assist Conservancy naturalists during independent studies and internships. As they contribute to the nonprofit's research efforts, partic- ipants gain experience and knowledge that they can take to other organiza- tions. California State University Monterey Bay graduate Caitlyn Barrera collected water sam- ples, banded tricolored blackbirds and managed studies related to endangered California tiger salamanders as a Santa Lucia Conservancy intern. She now works for an Ojai Valley envi- ronmental nonprofit and will soon pursue grad- uate degrees in environmental policy and envi- ronmental research. Barrera says the Santa Lucia Conservancy takes a distinctive approach to habitat and species preservation. "That they are working to protect so many listed species is unique. In most cases, groups focus on one or maybe two, and mostly they conduct restoration projects," she explains. "The fact that the Santa Lucia Conservancy also pur- sues population numbers and shares species- related research, both locally and across wider communities, is even more unique. It makes an important impact." Working on private land positions the Conservancy to conduct long-term research that can be difficult to fund and execute in a public setting. "We can place monitoring equipment on the land for protracted amount of time. We can return and restudy the same site, year in and year out. We can collect the data that answers really robust scientific questions," Wyckoff says. As she and her colleagues explore innovative ways to address climate change, population growth, sustainable development and other conservation- related concerns, sharing their findings remains a priority. "This is a unique landscape, but many elements of the Preser ve's design and the Conser vancy's role can be expor ted," Wyckoff says. "In an era where there are so many challenges in the world- wide conser vation realm, we need ever y tool in the toolbox." To learn more about the Santa Lucia Conservancy's educational programs and stew- ardship, please visit slconservancy.org. Planting precious valley oak trees with residents of The Preserve to give these iconic natives a helping hand are: Peter and Donna Gordon, Conservancy Executive Director Christy Fischer, and Ginger and Jim Andrasick. Photo:Adam White, Santa Lucia Conservancy This year, the Santa Lucia Conservancy celebrates 25 years of stewardship, community engagement and environmental research.