[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

Source to Sea: The LA River & Me

As part of the LA2050 Grants Challenge, Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) proposed to provide outdoor and environmental education to 1,350 students and training to 45 teachers through our Source to Sea Watershed Education Program. The budget granted totals 28% of the program delivering approximately 5,600 student-learning days. We estimated that our indirect impact would be 2,700 additional friends and family members educated about the LA River, and 90 additional teachers informed of the program.

What is Source to Sea?

Access to nature is a fundamental determinant of health, yet research shows that low-income and communities of color disproportionately lack access to green and blue spaces. Disconnected from the LA River due to urban development, a history of exclusion, and a scarcity of accessible green spaces, local youth are unaware of the River's significant impact on their community, health, and ecosystem. Our Source to Sea Watershed Education Program addresses this disparity by connecting Los Angeles’ most underserved students to their urban River.

Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) inspires lifelong environmental stewards and encourages youth to pursue careers in the eco-STEM field. Aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, our comprehensive Source to Sea program achieves this in multiple stages with program priority given to Title I and river-adjacent schools. Initially, students experience two in-class presentations about the history of the LA River and its biodiversity, equipping them with a foundational understanding to enhance field trip experience. These presentations are quickly followed with a school visit by our interactive mobile-museum, the River Rover. Aboard our interactive mobile exhibit, students compare the past, present, and future states of the River and a 3D model of the LA River Watershed helps them visualize their watershed and understand how water flows through the city. Their Source to Sea journey culminates in an interactive field trip to the LA River itself, featuring a nature walk, a water quality lab, and a water filtration activity. These hands-on activities allow students to take on the role of naturalists, scientists, and engineers. Our holistic, phased approach educates while inspiring action and a sense of ownership, embedding the River's legacy within the hearts and minds of future generations.

With LA2050’s support, FoLAR directly served 1,469 students from 32 local schools with Source to Sea programming in the 2023-2024 school year, resulting in over 5,800 student learning-days and an estimated 11,018 student learning-hours. Students took pre and post assessments to measure increases these short-term outcomes:

• Positive perceptions of nature
• Understanding of environmental concepts and climate literacy
• Understanding of the physical and mental health benefits of nature
• Increase in social–emotional learning skills
• Increased agency over environmental and civic action

By the program’s conclusion, students reported a higher awareness of the river’s biodiversity and increased interest in environmental conservation. Additionally, after participating in the Source to Sea program:

• Over 70% of students reported an increased understanding of the elements that impact water quality.
• 70% of students shared that they now felt nature was less boring.
• Over 80% of students indicated an increased belief that nature was important to their health.
• 74% of students expressed an increased interest in exploring nature.
• 74% of students reported a greater desire to protect nature.
• After the field trip, 88% of students said they wanted to visit nature again.

From our student participants:

“The most exciting thing was looking at plants and birds today through the binoculars. I feel great being out in nature and learning new stuff.”

“The most exciting thing I saw was this specimen that we picked up from the River and we got to look at them in a microscope.”

“Being in nature is actually pretty relaxing and soothing.”

Additionally, 91.7% of teachers expressed willingness to participate in the Source to Sea program again. Teachers highlighted the program’s impact on students’ understanding of environmental systems and the potential career opportunities linked to environmental science. Educators reported that students demonstrated greater enthusiasm and calmness during the field trip compared to classroom settings, and LAUSD shared that FoLAR’s Source to Sea program is the top requested outdoor education experience requested by their schools as part of their Day of Discovery program.

In the words of participating teachers:

“My students loved the combination of biodiversity, history, water filtration, and exploration. They all worked really well together!”

“The students were REALLY excited to see animals…Every lesson was effective targeting specific areas that were all important to learn. They were also all engaging.”

“They gained the knowledge of the history of the river and native groups that lived in the LA area and the LA River field trip allowed the students to physically experience what the river provides to our city.”

During the grant period, Source to Sea was implemented as outlined in the grant with a few minor changes. All grant funds were expended except for $103.50 in the transportation line item, for which we asked and received permission to re-allocate to communications to support outreach to new schools and teachers who have not previously been through our program. Mid-year there was a change in leadership of the education department and a directional change from LAUSD which lowered the total number of students served. The River Rover became temporarily unavailable due to mechanical issues but was put back in service as soon as possible.

We also learned some lessons and adapted the Source to Sea program to improve participant safety and ease of delivery. Due to the changing nature of the River, our field trip location at Bette Davis Picnic Area continued to lose available walk space for students during their nature walk. As a result, the education team consolidated all future trips to Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park, ensuring that student and staff safety remained the top priority along with the quality of our programming.

Teachers found the PDF lesson format difficult to navigate. Near the end of the grant period, FoLAR’s educators adapted the two lessons to Google Slides with interactive video components led by experienced FoLAR educators. These interactive and dynamic presentations have been rolled out for the 2024-2025 school year.

Survey results and observations shared by teachers indicated that a significant number of students wanted to volunteer on the River. Near the end of the grant period, FoLAR’s educators created and tested the take-home toolkit to be distributed after field trips to meet this need. The toolkit includes a full activity guide designed to extend student learning post- field trip and to engage family members in learning about and advocating for the River, including free habitat restoration days, free community events on the River, and a catalog of fun, family-friendly activities to make a difference for the LA River from home.

Source to Sea Continues

Thanks to programmatic changes, a strengthened relationship with LAUSD, and support from grantors including US Fish & Wildlife Services and the Rose Foundation, Source to Sea will continue in the 2024-2025 school year! FoLAR will provide Source to Sea programming to an estimated 5,000 students this year with increased organizational capacity and flexibility within the program. By delivering key core messaging in the two updated presentations, we leave room for fluid field trip approaches based on the age, ability, and interests of each class we serve – including teaching units on Indigenous history, hands-on stewardship, seasonality on the

River, and more by request. Friends of the LA River sends our deepest gratitude to LA2050 for supporting this year’s programming. For more scheduling information, please contact us at education@folar.org.