Habitat Stewardship Project, Monterey Bay Programs
Eco Ambassadors
Return of the Natives partners with the Arts Council for Monterey County and the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District to provide environmental science and expressive art lessons to every 4th and 5th grade class in all eleven elementary schools in the district.
At the start of this program in 2014, Return of the Natives installed a native plant garden at each school with the help of the 5th grade classes. These native plant gardens allow students to take their learning to an outdoor classroom. Students are taught about the environment, native flora and fauna and how to care for the garden on their own. Students work with RON and each other through out the year to maintain their garden, all the while fostering a sense of appreciation and ownership for outdoor space.