Students sound mapping at Inspiring Kids PreserveWe envision a future for our region in which nature and community thrive because Capitol Land Trust (CLT) and our partners have invested in conservation of and education about our natural places and resources. By creating broader opportunities to learn about and experience our natural environment, we build a stronger and more diverse community that cares about conservation. This also ensures ongoing support for our conservation mission for years to come.
Our partners and community volunteers work with us to host over 500 students a year on lands conserved by Capitol Land Trust. These treasures, which are the traditional lands and waterways of Salish peoples, hold infinite learning and growth opportunities.
We are proud to collaborate with Puget Sound Estuarium, Black Hills Audubon Society, Shelton School District, North Thurston Public Schools, and Pacific Education Institute for our formal K-12 programs. Other youth serving partners include Northwest Youth Corps, Wa-Ya Outdoor School, and the Olympia Mountaineers.
We are actively exploring ways to implement more inclusive and culturally responsive programs to meet the needs of the diverse students we serve. Our Bayshore FieldSTEM® and Conservation Kids programs follow the FieldSTEM framework developed by Pacific Education Institute. FieldSTEM is an integrated model designed to help educators implement equitable environmental and sustainability education.
Learn more about these programs and volunteer with us!
Bayshore FieldSTEM
Bayshore FieldSTEM is a 7th grade outdoor education program that takes place at our 74-acre Bayshore Preserve in Shelton, WA, on Oakland Bay. The program serves about 300 students from the Shelton School District. Students learn about aquatic macroinvertebrates (stream bugs), environmental restoration, hydrology, and intertidal ecosystems. Learn more about this program here.
Conservation Kids
Conservation Kids is a 3rd grade outdoor education program that takes place at our 108-acre Inspiring Kids Preserve in Thurston County on Henderson Inlet. During the 2022/2023 school year, the program will support about 250 students from North Thurston Public Schools. Students learn about estuary ecosystems, common bird species, and the art of observation. Learn more about this program here.
FieldSTEM is a registered trademark and program of the Pacific Education Institute www.pacificeducationinstitute.org