This November, the Land Labs team worked with Mountainview Middle School seventh graders and Catalyst Public School’s fifth grade class to explore the concept of Climate Resilient Forests in Puget Sound. In the field, students learned how to measure forest biodiversity at North Kitsap Heritage Park by identifying tree species and forest layers, and measuring tree diameter.
Later in the day at GPC’s Grovers Creek Preserve, students learned about different forest management methods for climate resilience. Students had the opportunity to remove invasive scotch broom, girdle a tree to create a snag to support wildlife, examine a habitat pile for signs of wildlife use, and plant native trees. The students discussed these methods of managing climate resilient forests and how they can participate in their local communities as a part of this process.
See photos below of the field experiences:
Students from Mountain View Middle School learn to make observations through examining the life around them. 
The students begin to learn how to identify tree species from their leaves. 
Exploring North Kitsap Heritage Park to search for evidence of biodiversity. 
The seventh-graders enjoy learning outside of the classroom for the day. 
Students notice the tree canopy while discussing forest layer diversity. 
Community Stewardship Coordinator Beatrice Lincke shows students a diagram of forest layers before examining the forest around them. 
Stewardship Associate Micaela Petrini points out a salamander to students at Grovers Creek Preserve. 
The students observe a salamander up close at Grovers Creek Preserve. 
Some students overcome their hesitation to hold an animal like a salamander in order to join in the fun of exploring the forest. 
Students plant a native tree together to contribute to restoration efforts at Grovers Creek Preserve. 
The middle-schoolers write in their journals as they learn about forest management methods for climate resilience. 
A student demonstrates how to girdle a tree in order to create a snag for habitat. 
Students enjoy learning how to girdle a tree using a saw in order to create wildlife habitat. 
A student carries invasive Scotch Broom removed by the class. 
Community Engagement Manager Claire Voris shows students the roots of the trees that they will plant together. 
Claire Voris teaches students how to plant a tree. 
The students enjoy exploring Grovers Creek Preserve. 
Executive Director Nate Daniel shows students how to measure the diameter of a tree. 
Students try to measure the diameter of a very large tree. 
Students took the opportunity to climb tree trunks while exploring the forest. 
The students enjoyed helping to remove invasive Scotch Broom. 
A student displays the tree sapling that the group will plant together. 
Executive Director Nate Daniel shows his group of students the cambium layer of a tree exposed by girdling. 
The students are fascinated by the effects of girdling a tree to create a snag. 
Students pose with their tree after planting the native Douglass Fir together. 
A student stands proudly next to the pile of Scotch Broom they removed. 
Students learn how to identify tree species by examining their bark and leaves or needles and cones. 
Before seeing a habitat pile, the fifth grade students discuss the elements of a habitat and draw what they think one would include. 
Mushrooms are abound in the wet forest, and the students enjoy searching for unique ones. 
Students work together to measure the diameter of trees to determine the biodiversity of their forest sample plots.