USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Firstbloom is an environmental education program created in collaboration with Bishop Paiute Tribe and Devils Postpile National Monument.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Service biologist Lara Drizd leads some of the young ladies of the FirstBloom on a beach walk providing an immersive learning experience allowing the girls to touch, smell, and listen to the nature that surrounds them.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Service biologist Jenny Marek leads a beach walk. “I love the challenge of explaining complex ecological processes in way that will hopefully capture the imagination of some of these kids so they may feel a connection to the natural world," Marek said.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Bryanna Vaughn (right) discusses the harmful effects of plastics to wildlife, oceans, and to people. Minimizing their impact to campsite, the kids properly store food away from wildlife, recycle, and use biodegradable products.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Brooke Sheridan from California State Parks joins the group for a night observation moth station. Sheridan sets up a mothing kit composed of white sheets attached to metal poles. A blacklight illuminates the station attracting various moth species.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
A White-lined sphinx moth makes a special appearance just before bedtime. One of the fastest flying insects on the planet, resembling a hummingbird in flight, this moth stole the show!
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
The Firstbloom group makes the rugged trek to Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge near the small town of Fillmore. Welcomed by Dorothy Horn (left), the students learn about the federally endangered California condor, America’s largest iconic bird.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Inspired by their first sighting of wild California condors, Firstbloom students plant juncus and dogbane, versatile plants important to the Chumash tribe, a local tribe that hold special significance for California condors.
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
Service biologist Mike Glenn recounts the day’s events by a campfire. From pollinators, endangered shore birds, and to the iconic California condor, the Firstbloom science camp not only teaches children about wildlife biology, but also builds self-confide
USFWS Pacific Southwest Region:
The unwavering dedication of community leaders like Michael Glenn and Bryanna Vaughn and programs like these help shape our youth to be stewards of their environment and pass along cultural knowledge.