Pala Youth Visit SDSU

Youth from the Pala Band of Mission Indians visited SDSU to learn about ongoing research, hear from graduate and undergraduate students, and explore STEM opportunities on campus.

Youth from the Pala Band of Mission Indians’s Learning Center visited San Diego State University in early August to learn about ongoing research led by Dr. Megan Jennings, Dr. Lluvia Flores-Renteria, and Dr. Sula Vanderplank, and to hear presentations from graduate and undergraduate students. An overview of the Resilient Restoration project, led by Dr. Flores-Renteria and Dr. Jennings in partnership with the Climate Science Alliance’s Tribal Working Group was included, as well as botany research being led by Dr. Sula Vanderplank, a long-time research partner and member of the Baja Working Group.

Climate Science Alliance team members Audrey Carver and Diane Terry shared Climate Kids activities and resources, utilizing materials from the Carnivores and Climate Science Traveling Trunk as a component of Dr. Jennings’ wildlife conservation presentation. Students also visited various labs on campus, toured the greenhouse, and spent time with the Native Resources Center.

Special thanks to Sierra Kriss for leading the day’s events—It was an honor to spend the day with the youth and staff of the Pala Youth Center. Thanks to Drs. Jennings, Flores-Renteria, and Vanderplank for sharing about the important work that they are doing with the next generation of environmental stewards!