Friends of Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve

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Education is Key to Conservation

Classroom at the Reserve

Drinker

Students Inspecting a
Drinker that Provides
Water for Wildlife

Checking a Trail Camera

Tree Planting

Fence Work

With help from donors and volunteers, ongoing youth and adult outdoor education programs at the Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve continue to grow. Funding from the Friends of Cañada de los Osos and from private donors and conservation organizations have all contributed to the outdoor education programs and habitat projects happening at the Reserve. Best of all, youth have been involved directly with habitat projects, from planting trees and shrubs to developing new water sources for wildlife throughout the Reserve. Students from local high schools and colleges, including Santa Teresa High School in San Jose, Gavilan Community College in Gilroy, San Jose State University, and University of California, Davis have made Cañada de los Osos their "outdoor classroom." Scout and 4-H groups have participated in fishing programs, and Eagle Scouts have built bird and bat boxes for the Reserve.

For the past three years, the Reserve has been a meeting place for outdoor education programs and research. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has partnered with the Friends of Cañada de los Osos to put on three Advanced Hunter Education programs each year, on deer, wild turkeys, and wild pigs. Over sixty participants, both adults and youth, attend each workshop. Speakers provide information about how and where to hunt these game animals, as well as about game laws, biology, hunter ethics, and how to field dress the game once it is taken. Participants also learn about wildlife diseases, and there is a great demonstration on the use of non-lead ammunition, as well as a first-hand look at what makes up good wildlife habitat.

The Friends of Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve wants to thank the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Deer Association, and independent donors for supporting outdoor education programs on the Reserve.