Learning Among the Oaks

Connecting kids, nature, and land

Help us build a community of kids who care about nature and each other

See how we’re changing young lives

“I have learned that being an Oak Ambassador means more than just knowing about animals, oaks, rocks and other parts of nature. It means being responsible, respectful, and helpful to nature and teaching others to do the same.”

—- Boone, 5th grade Oak Ambassador

About Learning Among the Oaks (LATO)

LATO is The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County’s (LCSLO) outdoor science education and youth environmental leadership program delivered through three public school bases, each with its own associated oak nature trail for educational hikes, field studies and stewardship experiences.

These services reach more than 2,000 people each year, mostly children and families, many from underserved communities. LATO’s place-based learning and integration with public school programs means that experiences are relevant to kids’ everyday lives and that kids from a variety of backgrounds have the chance to participate.

Together, we’re building a community of kids who care about nature and each other.

What LATO has been up to

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It wasn't so long ago that mallard ducks were swimming by one of the Santa Margarita Ranch LATO wildlife cameras. The creeks and green hills are drying up as we head into summer. What a winter to remember. Enjoy these images thanks to LATO volunteers Dan, Katrina and Nathan Sharon! ... See MoreSee Less

It wasnt so long ago that mallard ducks were swimming by one of the Santa Margarita Ranch LATO wildlife cameras. The creeks and green hills are drying up as we head into summer. What a winter to remember. Enjoy these images thanks to LATO volunteers Dan, Katrina and Nathan Sharon!Image attachmentImage attachment+7Image attachment

Do you teach nature journaling or do you want to learn how to teach nature journaling? Visit wildwonder.org/ed23 to register now for the Wild Wonder Nature Journal Educators Workshop, online June 9-10, 2023, and get inspired with the latest best practices, tips, and practical tools for teaching nature journaling.

Join John Muir Laws @johnmuirlaws--one of the principal innovators of the global nature journaling movement and author of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling and co-author of How to Teach Nature Journaling--along with other experienced nature journal educators including Lynn Seddon @raisinglittleshoots , author of Exploring Nature with Children; Roseann Hanson @roseannhanson , author of several books including Nature Journaling for a Wild Life and Master of Field Arts; Jean Mackay @jeanmackayart , author of The Nature Explorer's Sketchbook; Kate Rutter @katerutter , Alex Boon @alexboonart , Andrea Dingledein @the_local_naturalist , and others.

This workshop is for anyone who is teaching in any form, including formal classroom educators, homeschool parents, park rangers, adult education instructors, nature center staff, scout leaders, environmental educators, and more. Beginners are welcome.

Registration required and the cost is $70 for the two full days. Scholarships available--apply on the event web page. We are also offering CEUs (for an additional small fee). Also: if you can't make all or part of it--no worries! The event will be recorded and you'll have access for several months afterwards.

Visit EVENTS link in bio @wildwonderfoundation or visit wildwonder.org/ed23 to see a detailed daily schedule, meet our teaching team, and register today!

#naturejournal #naturejournaling #naturenoticing #noticingnature #naturedrawing #johnmuirlaws #wildwonderfoundation #johnmuirlawsbooks #payingattention #natureeducation #outdooreducation #STEMoutdoors #stemeducationforkids #stemeducation #teachereducation #artsineducation #inspiringteachers #natureintheclassroom #natureschool #naturejournalingwithkids #homeschoolinspiration #homeschoolscience #homeschoolart #homeschoolnaturestudy
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It's that time of year when wildlife families are finding places to raise their young. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to observe a young family in your own yard! To avoid harming these wild animal babies, please avoid trimming trees until the end of fall. Song birds are masters at camouflaging their nests, so it can sometimes be almost impossible to spot one. If you absolutely must trim now, feel free to call or message us and we can give you free advice on trimming safely. If you do start trimming or clearing out brush and find a nest, please stop immediately. Do you know that native birds, their eggs, chicks, and active nests are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which is a federal law making it illegal to harm, harass, possess or kill a native bird, its eggs, chicks or active nest? It’s a law because our national wildlife face serious threats to their survival. Help us keep wildlife in the wild by avoiding disturbing nesting sites. Then, sit back and enjoy watching the new life beginning around you!

Photo of Northern Flicker family during feeding time by Donald Quintana Nature and Wildlife Photography

#nestingseason #treetrimming #babyseason #wildlife #wildliferehab #bird #babybird #spring
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A big thank you to Santa Margarita Ranch LATO Trail maintenance heroes Steve, John, Heidi and Morris for coming out to clear weeds and smooth holes so that Santa Margarita Elementary School 2nd grade classes (incl. combo) could enjoy their field trip last Friday! Volunteers, including hike docents and trail maintenance teams, are a big part of LATO. We appreciate you!

More spring field trips to go! Please note that the Santa Margarita Ranch LATO Trail is on private property; access is restricted to LATO guided educational activities. Thanks to SMR owners for our 17+ year partnership.

#volunteersmakeadifference #volunteerism
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A big thank you to Santa Margarita Ranch LATO Trail maintenance heroes Steve, John, Heidi and Morris for coming out to clear weeds and smooth holes so that Santa Margarita Elementary School 2nd grade classes (incl. combo) could enjoy their field trip last Friday! Volunteers, including hike docents and trail maintenance teams, are a big part of LATO. We appreciate you!

More spring field trips to go! Please note that the Santa Margarita Ranch LATO Trail is on private property; access is restricted to LATO guided educational activities. Thanks to SMR owners for our 17+ year partnership.

 #volunteersmakeadifference #volunteerismImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Comment on Facebook

Priscilla Schultz look at you and sissy

Exploring our new LATO trail at Nipomo Regional Park with Dana Elementary 3rd grade classes last week! We learned about Animals and Oaks Through Time, a deep dive into how this place has changed from 10 million years ago to today and the forces that have shaped the life we see here now. ... See MoreSee Less

Exploring our new LATO trail at Nipomo Regional Park with Dana Elementary 3rd grade classes last week! We learned about Animals and Oaks Through Time, a deep dive into how this place has changed from 10 million years ago to today and the forces that have shaped the life we see here now.Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

A round of applause for longtime The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County volunteer~dedicated LATO docent Sally Krenn who was honored with LCSLO's Barbara Baltimore Volunteer of the Year Award at the recent Annual Reception.

Sally is generous and passionate about sharing her love of nature with others, especially children, and has contributed to multiple LCSLO and LATO projects over decades of service to our community. She is beloved by the LATO community and everyone lucky enough to know her. Congratulations, Sally!
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A round of applause for longtime The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County volunteer~dedicated LATO docent Sally Krenn who was honored with LCSLOs Barbara Baltimore Volunteer of the Year Award at the recent Annual Reception. 

Sally is generous and passionate about sharing her love of nature with others, especially children, and has contributed to multiple LCSLO and LATO projects over decades of service to our community. She is beloved by the LATO community and everyone lucky enough to know her. Congratulations, Sally!Image attachmentImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

Well deserved for Miss Sally!!

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I have learned to love nature, to be one with nature, and to value nature.

- Rosie, Oak Ambassador, 4th grade

Subscribe to LATO Nature Notes, our bi-monthly e-news

Our Partners & Supporters

San Luis Obispo County Fish and Game Fines Committee

Rod Hoadley ~ Peak Racks

Marguerite Costigan and            Terry Sanville

Ann Robinson

Brisco Foundation

Joan Collier

Barlow Family Foundation

Justin Community Grants

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Randy and Sally Knight

Christine Harvey

Mankins Foundation

Marney and Roger Briggs

James F. Maino and Lisa Kilburn

Warren and Carol Sinsheimer

DeVos Family Foundation

Cal Poly Biological Sciences Department (Professors John Perrine and Emily Taylor)

Partial listing; Supporter page under construction.