Contra Costa Sun • May 2002

EFO...providing the margin of excellence

Since 1978 Toris Jaeger has served the Orinda Union School District (OUSD) elementary schools as the district naturalist and caretaker for the 33.5 acres adjacent to Wagner Ranch Elementary School. Fondly known as the "Nature Area," this outdoor gem serves as a living classroom for approximately 2500 Orinda students and 100 teachers annually. Alex Stein, currently a senior at Miramonte High School, notes, "It's good to have the Nature Area because little kids usually get to play in their yards or in parks, but this is a chance for them to see what Orinda was like before it was filled up with houses." Austin Roberts, a 4th grader at Del Rey Elementary School adds, "Toris makes it fun for everyone to learn." Beyond experiencing Orinda in its natural state, students in Grades K-2 participate in the Nature Area Study Program and receive an introductionto the Life Sciences. Toris also teaches the Animals of Orinda program for 3rd graders, Indian Camp andRancho Days programs for the 4th graders, and First Thanksgiving and Pioneer Days for the 5th graders.

The Educational Foundation of Orinda (EFO) is proudly committed to funding 100% of these Environmental Education programs. These ongoing outdoor "camps" meet many of the schools' science and social science requirements through the study of botany, biology and California history. Participants gain first-hand knowledge about how the early settlers and Native Americans used our natural resources. Rachel Jensen, alsoa Del Rey 4th grader, recently experienced Rancho Days at Wagner Ranch: "We made our own tortillas and salsa. We cut leather scraps with knives and made yarn from sheep’s wool. We even made our own adobe bricks. Toris encouraged us not to waste a single scrap. It was lots of fun but it was harder work than I pictured." Alex Stein remembers, "The first thing I think of when I think of the Nature Area is all of the cool food that we made for the First Thanksgiving. We had wild boar and venison." And Jonathan Jordan, a 7th grader reminisces, "I loved learning to cook with Toris. One time we made gingerale by shaving ginger. We even made bricks from mud and straw to build our own stove. Making a real-life teepee was the best. We went into the forest to find logs for posts. Then we gathered bark, branches, and leaves. It was so much fun."

Indeed, Toris has perfected a balance between learning and fun. Studying science takes on new meaning when students are up close and personal with the plants and wildlife of the butterfly garden, bird habitat, pond and 4 ecosystems which make up the Nature Area. Raised beds and a greenhouse provide hands-on opportunities for students and teachers alike. Fiona Kelly, a 4th grade teacher at Del Rey Elementary School, appreciates what EFO funding has been able to provide for her students. "Having Toris and the Environmental Education program at the Nature Area is a real gift. After recently spending a day there with my class I am keenly aware of how valuable the outdoor learning experience can be."

The National Wildlife Federation has also recognized the uniqueness of the Nature Area and the opportunities provided for OUSD students by recently certifying the Nature Area and all of the OUSD school sites as wildlife habitats. Though single schools nationwide have earned this certification, OUSD is the first school district to receive this notable recognition.

National Wildlife Federation dedication event at the Nature Area, Wagner Ranch School, May 18, 2002 at
4:00 p.m. Public welcome.