Sequoia Environmental Youth Leaders – Sequoia Riverlands Trust

Overview

The Sequoia Environmental Youth Leaders (SEYL) program—formerly known as the Youth Advisory Council—is a 10-month educational program for high school and college students from Porterville and Lindsay Unified School Districts. The SEYL internship provides a hands-on, work-based learning experience by providing members with leadership opportunities throughout Tulare County, both in the classroom and at SRT’s various nature preserves.

Over the course of the year, youth leaders are trained in outdoor education topics and ultimately acquire the skills necessary to develop and lead field trips for elementary students from their own communities. In the spring of each year, elementary school students from the Porterville and Lindsay school districts come to Sequoia Riverlands Trust Blue Oak Ranch Preserve to be led through these various educational activities by the high school youth leaders.

What is something you have learned about yourself during the SEYL internship?

"Something I learned about myself is me not being scared anymore to talk in front of a big crowd."

— Nancy Castro (Freshman from Granite Hills HS)

"I learned that I like teaching."

- Sage Reed (Junior from Monache HS)

"I can lead a class."

- Aaliyah Watkins (Freshman from Granite Hills HS)

What is something you have learned about Blue Oak Ranch Preserve during the SEYL internship?

"I have learned that it is an extremely diverse place. Almost every lesson plan can be connected back to the ranch. And therefore it can be easily remembered by myself and the students."

- Frankie Urena (Sophomore from Monache HS):

"I learned that there's lots of diversity and it's a beautiful place."

- Sage Reed

What is something you have learned about leading educational activities during the SEYL internship?

"Something I have learned about leading educational activities during the SEYL internship is that it’s okay to make mistakes and the more you teach your lesson the better it’ll get."

- Mareli Lopez (Junior from Granite Hills HS)

"During the SEYL internship I learned that leading educational activities requires a lot of control and emotional maturity to get the students to pay attention."

- Maria Ramos (Senior from Granite Hills High School)

"I've learned that while it can be challenging to create the lesson plans it can bring smiles to kids faces."

- Sage Reed

"That it is fun."

- Guadalupe Roque (Freshman from Granite Hills HS)

What was your favorite part of the SEYL internship?

"My favorite part of this internship was teaching. This was because I was able to make memories for a lot of people that they hopefully will remember and try their hardest to connect to their lives."

- Frankie Urena

"My favorite part of the SEYL internship was meeting new people. The people within the SEYL internship are wonderful people that welcomed me and made me feel at home."

- Maria Ramos

"My favorite part of the SEYL internship was teaching the kids and interacting with them."

- Mareli Lopez

"My favorite part is getting to experience what having a classroom feels like."

- Guadalupe Medina (Sophomore from Granite Hills HS)

Do you feel more prepared or more likely to assist in your local community or in nature conservation/education as a result of SEYL?

"Yes I do feel like I am likely to assist at my local community or in nature conservation as a result of SEYL because I noticed that I enjoy spending time in nature."

- Mareli Lopez

Take Part in the Action

Want to learn more about Sequoia Environmental Youth Leaders and bring it to your school? Fill out this form for more information.