Teaching Beyond the Classroom: Connecting Students to Public Lands

On this World Teachers’ Day, the Foundation for America’s Public Lands proudly celebrates educators who take learning beyond the classroom and connect young people to the wonder, responsibility, and lasting value of our public lands and waters. 

Interpretative Rangers—park rangers who lead key educational programs—play an essential role in teaching and inspiring the next generation to care for America’s hardest working lands and waters. Their efforts bring to life the natural and cultural stories of these places, helping students build meaningful connections to the world around them. 

With the help of grants from the Foundation and our partners like Humboldt Sponsors inc., students now have access to new educational resources that strengthen their ties to forests and to public lands—bringing classroom learning outdoors in powerful ways. 

One such place is the Headwaters Forest Reserve, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), near Eureka, California. It is the only forest reserve in the BLM’s care, established to protect ancient redwoods and sensitive species along the Elk River. From May through November, the BLM’s Arcata Field Office and volunteer docents provide interpretation, guided hikes, workshops, and educational field trips for students of all ages. 

These experiences give students in Humboldt County and across California an opportunity to explore the beauty of the redwoods firsthand. As they hike the Elk River Trail and visit the Headwaters Education Center, they learn about the area’s rich resources in immersive, memorable ways. 

Thanks to new STEM education materials from the Humboldt Sponsors grant, local students can now dive deeper into learning experiences at the Headwaters Forest Reserve. The hands-on lessons are aligned with California’s science and social studies standards, helping students make real-world connections between classroom concepts and the landscapes around them. 

“We received materials for field trips that students are using for the first time, and it has made the experience more interactive and meaningful for them,” said Anna Arsic, a Bureau of Land Management park ranger and interpretive specialist, in early September. “These trips give students the chance to connect with public lands right in their own backyard. The experience strengthens their education, health, and sense of community. When kids get excited about these places, they take that excitement home to their families and often bring them back to share the forest together.” 

These field trips wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the teachers, who bring students to the Reserve, and the support of BLM staff, Watershed Steward Fellows, and Cal Poly Humboldt College Corps Fellows who help guide the experience. Their leadership ensures that public lands are not just visited but understood, valued, and cared for by future generations. 

Today, and every day, we thank educators for opening doors to discovery, nurturing a sense of stewardship, and inspiring lifelong connections to America’s public lands.