2007 TIDEPOOL SCHOOL AT 
ALEGRIA PRESERVE IS STARTING UP

Spring is the start of the HR Conservancy's Tidepool School season. Six schools have already scheduled dates ranging from March to June. There is no charge to the schools for this program. The Conservancy pays Docents from its fundraising efforts, to come in and lead the school groups. We schedule one Docent for every ten students. In addition, there is an adult chaperone, usually parents & teachers, required for every five to six kids. Hollister Ranch owners donate their time as Hosts to oversee each trip. Close supervision of the students is a must due to the fragile nature and delicate balance of life in our tidepools. 

The students spend about two hours in the tidepools looking at and learning about the many different plants and animals. Prior to coming, the teachers are required to give classroom instruction on tidepool plants & animals. If the school does not have a curriculum in place to do so, the Conservancy, at no charge, will send the teacher a copy of Exploring Tidepools this user friendly, 8 1/2' x 11' paperback book is put out bi the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. and is for children of all ages. Teachers can use it as a perfect prep class for their trip out to the tidepools, This book is a wealth of information, as it almost seems to be written specifically for the Ranch. Every Hollister Ranch owner would benefit greatly by having it to refer to when finding some treasure on the beach or in a tidepool.

The feedback that we get from teachers and students of our Tidepool School indicates this 'living classroom' experience has a profound and lasting affect on their lives. Most kids have never seen any living thing in beach areas, because people have indiscrimately taken everything from the state beach parks and other public beaches. Tidepools filled with teaming life are now virtually extinct in most places. Students are surprised and excited to actually see and to touch (under supervision) the animals & plants such as sea stars of all types, anemones, octopi, sea hares, mussels, black turban snails, crabs of various kinds, all different types of barnacles, many kinds of algae (kelp), surf grass, eel grass, chitons, sea urchins, shark egg cases, clams, cockles, sand dollars and tidepool sculpin, just to name a few, in our HR tidepools.

Our Tidepool School is for third grade and up. Tides are time sensitive, and it's tricky to schedule school trips to fit into the low tides. So, early scheduling is important. If this program sounds like something you would like your kid's class to participate in, or if you want more information, call or have your kid's teacher call: Wendie @ 567-1008

HOLLISTER RANCH 5 GALLON OAK TREES AVAILABLE

If you've ever wanted to plant some oak trees on your parcel, now is the time and the season to do it. These oak trees are 3 to 4 years old in 5 gallon buckets, and were planted from Hollister Ranch acorns. They are 2 to 3 feet tall. It's a win win situation! You get an oak tree for $25, and 50% of the sales price will be donated to the HR. Conservancy. Jan Robotham, HR owner who has grown these trees on her parcel, has been very generous to partner with the Conservancy on this project. Call her @ 566-0877 to order your trees now!