WildLink Teachers Come Together for Sixth Annual Development Weekend in Yosemite

More than 20 of our hardworking WildLink teachers joined us in Yosemite on October 13-15, some coming from as far away as the Bay area and Los Angeles to attend.

We spent the weekend working to build bridges across many aspects of the program. These included connecting teachers to one another; connecting teachers with local community-based organizations who can help bring the wilderness message home; connecting students to more learning and career opportunities; and strengthening the ways that WildLink is serving both its teachers and students. We shared our challenges as well as our triumphs, and the WildLink program can only improve as a result of the time and effort that everyone put into making this weekend a success.

One attendee really summed it up perfectly when he said, "The most valuable aspect will help my professional growth, but I cannot overlook the personal growth--simply meeting such a varied, dedicated group of individuals has been very gratifying."

WildLink would like to send out a big thank you to everyone who make this weekend possible: the Yosemite Instititute and and its wonderful staff; Cynthia Ramaciotti (WildLink Program Assistant); Mary Ann Bloom, (Turlock High School WildLink teacher); Laurie McLaughlin (River of Words project and WildLink teacher); Jesse Chakrin (NPS Wilderness/WildLink Bridge Project); Sarah Cairns (San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust); and Terry McLaughlin (creator of the Empowerment game). Most of all we'd like to recognize all of our wonderful teachers, who made WildLink a priority by attending this very important event during the busy time of autumn. We couldn't run WildLink without you!

Click here to view more pictures from the Teacher Development Weekend.

In Her Own Words:
Ana Reports on Madera High's Wilderness Ambassador
Project

Hortencia and I, Madera High School Seniors, are past Wildlink hikers. We spoke to our school’s Science Club about our summer experience. Hortencia and I spent the first few days of our summer vacation, June 3- 6th, backpacking with WildLink.

We were able to go backpacking with our group and with Mother Nature herself. We took only what we could carry on our backs. “We only carried essentials,” Hortencia told the group. Those “essentials” included a cup for drinking water, a bowl to eat out of, clothes, and sleeping items. The group ate only what we cooked over a small burner and slept on the ground. We learned about nature, backpacking, and how to care for and preserve the wilderness. When we cleaned up camp, we were told to “leave no trace”. We explained the importance of making sure no food or anything was left behind, because it is potentially bad for bears and other wildlife. We had also stressed how important is really is to leave no trace behind when leaving camp so that no one knows that we were there except for ourselves.

We also told the students about the spiritual enlightenment that we also achieved as we were out in the wilderness relying on ourselves. We were very informative and provided much insight for the Science Club at Madera High, not only about what Wildlink does, but also about the importance and responsibility we all have to care for Mother Nature and educate others about what she has to offer. There were about 50 students and 2 teachers that had come to the meeting to hear about our experience. There were many who were interested to know more about our experience and they also wanted to know how they too can have an amazing experience as we had had.

One of the things that caught most of their attention was what we learned about ourselves and they realized that they too want to find certain aspects about themselves that they did not know before. That is another facet that WildLink provides and Hortencia and I believe that is what makes these expeditions great.

Click here to read Ana's WildLink journal page.

Are you a WildLink teacher or a past student who has something to say? Maybe you've recently had a Wilderness adventure of your own you'd like to share, or you've taken part in a really special Wilderness Ambassador Project. We want to hear from you! If you have a story to share, contact Mandy Vance, WildLink Program Manager at mandy_vance@partner.nps.gov , or phone at (209)372-0607.