Despite the early hour and chill in the air, a group of San José State University (SJSU) students ventured bright-eyed into an area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve dominated by nonnative, invasive eucalyptus trees. Dubbed the “bird group,” this crew kept a keen eye and ear out for flapping wings and high-pitched chirps. What birds live in this eucalyptus forest? How are their populations different from those of nearby native habitats? The bird group sought answers to these questions to fulfill the field research component of their environmental restoration course.
This outdoor education program began when SJSU Assistant Professor Metha Klock noticed a distinct lack of hands-on habitat restoration experiences available to students at the university. Though she wanted her students to have opportunities to conduct fieldwork, Klock found that SJSU did not possess the infrastructure necessary to provide them with easy access to nearby natural areas, including local Midpen public open space preserves.
With a clearly identified need, Klock applied for a Midpen grant and was awarded nearly $50,000 to help SJSU’s socioeconomically and ethnically diverse students more easily access field sites and provide them with the appropriate tools to engage with the natural world.
The funding paid for gear for students to use while in the field such as gaiters to protect ankles from poking plants, and Tecnu, a cleanser used in case of an accidental brush with poison oak. The funding also helped SJSU acquire field equipment: wildlife cameras, binoculars for bird observations and testing kits to determine the nitrogen content of soil samples. Students were also offered $100 stipends to cover the cost of gas to reach remote sites.
“The goal of the program is to have students contribute to Midpen’s understanding of these sites and have them be part of a project that will last beyond their time in this class,” Klock said. “My hope is that participating in this project will help students feel more attached to nature and remove overarching barriers to access.”
The program debuted in the fall of 2022 when students taking an introductory environmental restoration course visited Sierra Azul Preserve. They gathered information on the eucalyptus trees prior to a planned environmental restoration project. This project will involve removing the nonnative trees to facilitate the growth of native plants for improved ecological health and wildland fire safety. Klock also oversees a senior course in which students form scientific questions about Midpen preserves they will answer themselves through their research.
“The program has been successful. Students say they feel more comfortable visiting natural areas and are more confident doing environmental restoration and applying for jobs. I want to make sure students don’t feel limited.” —Metha Klock, SJSU Assistant Professor.
Learn more about Midpen’s grant program at openspace.org/grants.