Imagine turning your classroom into a forest filled with towering sequoias, the sounds of birdsong, and the scent of earth after a crisp morning dew. This is exactly what teachers experienced during a symposium at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
As you step into Calaveras Big Trees on a bright Saturday morning, the fresh air fills your lungs, and the sun filters through the canopy. Visitors wander in awe of the giant trees but near the majestic Sentinel Tree, a unique gathering is underway. Educators from across California have come together, thanks to a generous donation to Parks California, to explore how this park – and others like it – can inspire students to connect with science, history and the environment.
Leading the way are two dynamic California State Parks staff members – Erika De La Mar, California Climate Resilience Manager and Kara Lu, K-12 Access Coordinator. With thoughtful preparation, they’ve created an engaging agenda that transforms nature into a living, breathing classroom. Joining them is Lillie Oravetz, park interpreter, who shares her experience on passPORTS, blending virtual and in-person experiences that expand learning far beyond the walls of the classroom.
Learning about “Good Fire”
The symposium’s focus – Forest and Fire. It may surprise you to hear about “good fire”, but it’s a concept that changes everything you think you know about wildfire. In the natural world, fire is essential to forest health. Without it, dead vegetation piles up, creating a tinderbox for catastrophic fires. That’s why parks like Calaveras Big Trees use prescribed burns – carefully managed fires that reduce fuel loads and restore balance to the ecosystem.
For the giant sequoias, fire isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential. The heat opens their cones, releasing seeds into the soil to grow new trees. After a fire, sunlight reaches the forest floor, plants thrive, and pests and diseases are diminished. It’s a process that shows how nature renews itself and how humans can work in harmony with the environment.
A connection to History and Culture
The symposium wasn’t just about science – it was about connection. Adam Lewis, Cultural Preservation Assistant Director of the Calaveras Band of Mi-Wuk Indians, shared the Mi-Wuk people’s deep-rotted relationship with the land. As he welcomed educators to his ancestral home, his stories painted a vivid picture of the reciprocal relationship Indigenous people have with nature – a reminder of the wisdom we can learn from those who lived in balance with the earth for generations.
From Forest to Classroom
For two days, these educators explored ecosystems, fire ecology, flora and fauna, drawing inspiration to craft new lesson plans. The result? Engaging curricula that connects students to not only the textbooks but to the outdoors. These lessons will also be shared through California Educators Together for other educators to use and inspire the next generation to appreciate California’s incredible public lands.
“Being outdoors brings a calm effect because you are not in the stale air of the classroom,” says Devin Jackson, 6th grade science teacher from the Mount Diablo Unified School District located in the SF/Bay Area. “When students are in the classroom, their head is on their shoulder, they are waiting for lunch. When they are in parks, they forget about time. They immerse themselves and ask a lot of questions. They become more curious. They notice much more and wonder why. They come back with a sense of purpose.”
Parks like Calaveras Big Trees aren’t just destinations – they are opportunities to inspire wonder, curiosity and stewardship in your students. Whether you’re teaching about ecosystems, or climate resilience, California State Parks has a way to make learning unforgettable.
Enrich your students’ learning by bringing passPORTS to your classroom.
