With the 2025-26 school year in the rear view mirror, we wanted to share a few highlights of some of the incredible ways Napa County’s K – 12 schools have engaged in stewardship opportunities – thanks to your support.
- 1,300+ K – 12 students went outdoors with us
- 4 hours of increased time learning outdoors per student
- 19 schools across Napa County participated in conservation science, actions, and skills building
- 1 pollinator garden installed at Browns Valley Elementary School, 1 pollinator garden planned at McPherson Elementary School
WILD Napa Program
WILD Napa is a multi-part environmental education program that connects 4th grade students to nature through classroom learning, nature journaling, and an immersive field trip experience. Through repeated opportunities to observe, explore, reflect, and learn about local biodiversity and the Napa River Watershed, students build a stronger connection to the natural world while developing observation, mindfulness, and scientific inquiry skills.
The program is designed to increase access to outdoor learning and foster lifelong environmental stewardship by helping students form meaningful relationships with local parks, wildlife, and natural spaces. By prioritizing schools serving diverse and underserved communities, WILD Napa provides equitable opportunities for students to experience the educational, social, and health benefits of nature while increasing awareness of local ecosystems and conservation.
Together with support from Lewis Cellars Community Grants, Steve Rasmussen and Felicia Woytak, Land Trust of Napa County, and American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation:
- 443 4th grade students from 5 schools went outdoors with us.
- Increased time learning outdoors by 3.5 hours per student!
- Students explored diverse plants, animals, and habitats in Calistoga, Napa, and American Canyon.
- Teachers and chaperones observed high level of student engagement with nature, examples of student curiosity and inquiry, and increased confidence and comfort interacting with insects, plants and the outdoors.
“my caterpillar, my friend”, “I wonder why that flower looks like a popcorn?”, “Momentos que nunca olvidaran – una experiencia única“
Green Futures Program
Green Futures is a high school environmental stewardship and career exploration program that connects students to hands-on conservation work, outdoor learning, and environmental career pathways. Through classroom preparation, field experiences at Skyline Wilderness Park, native tree restoration activities, and mentorship from conservation professionals, students build practical environmental skills, strengthen their connection to nature, and gain exposure to careers in stewardship, restoration, and natural resource management with a focus on supporting students historically underrepresented in environmental fields.
This year 8 classes of students from Valley Oak High School participated in 8 schoolyard sessions and 4 field trips to Skyline.
- Students planted, monitored, and cared for over 100 trees in a 3-acre native oak restoration area within the park.
- Students grew conservation career skills alongside 9 professional mentors from Napa RCD, Land Trust of Napa County, American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation, and USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service.
- 90% of students practiced environmental Data Collection skills during their experience.
- 4.6 (out of 5.0) average field trip rating by Green Futures – Valley Oak High School students
“Beyond the academic benefits, these trips provide a critical space for healing. In an era where many of our youth face significant stress and anxiety, the time spent in nature offers a profound sense of calm.”
This year, we were able to provide these opportunities to schools no-cost thanks to donors, grants, and partners including: Lewis Cellars Community Grants, County of Napa, Napa County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program, Innovative Health Solutions, Napa County Health & Human Services Agency, North Bay Watershed Association, Napa County Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a gift from Steve Rasmussen and Felicia Woytak.
