Calaveras Big Trees State Park, CA…This past Saturday, Calaveras Big Trees State Park welcomed educators from Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties for the 4th Annual Celebrate Teachers event, hosted at the park’s historic Jack Knight Hall. Teachers enjoyed free park admission for a day of exploration, professional connections, and resource sharing to inspire student engagement in the natural world.

Left to Right: Corie Ross-Mountain Oaks Teacher and Calaveras Big Trees Park Aide; Lillie Oravetz-PORTS and Calaveras Big Trees Interpretation Office; Sally Finch-Mountain Oaks Teacher and Calaveras Big Trees State Park Volunteer and Calaveras Big Trees Association board member; Jack Podell-Calaveras Big Trees Park Aide; and Jared Hungerford-Calaveras Superintendent of Schools.

Exhibitors included Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Calaveras Big Trees Association, Stanislaus National Forest, California Fish and Wildlife, Indian Grinding Rock State Park, and PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students). Attendees received goodie bags filled with educational materials and information on field trip opportunities, park programs, and virtual learning options.

The event’s impact was amplified by two Mountain Oaks School teachers, Corie Ross and Sally Finch. Ross is a Calaveras Big Trees Park Aide and Finch volunteers for Calaveras Big Trees State Park and is a Calaveras Big Trees Association board member. Both are passionate about connecting students with the park’s rich biodiversity, history, and conservation efforts. Guided Meadow and North Grove hikes were led by knowledgeable docents — both retired teachers — who shared their expertise on giant sequoias and the park’s natural heritage.

Local businesses also supported the celebration, with the Red Apple on Hwy 4 donating fresh cider and donuts.
There are many programs available for teachers to assist in bringing their students to state parks, and particularly Calaveras Big Trees. Lillie Oravetz with PORTS and the Calaveras Big Trees Interpretation Office explained “there are free virtual programs for teachers who sign up including On-Demand zoom lessons and webinars to help bring the outdoors into the classroom, these virtual programs are found all over the state” In addition she spoke about PORTS online resources that can be found at ports.parks.ca.gov.

Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools Jared Hungerford attended the event and joined a guided hike. “I believe in getting kids outside and hands-on learning. We have such a wealth of natural beauty in this county for students to engage with,” he said. Hungerford noted his commitment to cover transportation costs for Calaveras County schools visiting Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

For more information on teacher resources available through Calaveras Big Trees State Park, visit parks.ca.gov/calaverasbigtrees.

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