WellKind, SPAWN, AATA & Teens are teaming up for CNN’s Call to Earth Day
On November 3rd, 2022, WellKind joined CNN’s “Call to Earth Day,” with California students from Archie Williams High School and Tamalpais High School, as well as non-profits Salmon Protection and Watershed Network and Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. As part of WellKind’s Forestry Program, which highlights the holistic nature of our world and educates young people and the public, local youth spent the day learning about the important interconnections between the land and the sea, and the salmon and the trees.
Our video for #calltoearth covers how youth spent a day learning about this important interconnection. For example, they explored how tropical forests create atmospheric rivers and bring nutrients to ocean habitats, while salmon enrich forest soils when they return from the ocean to spawn in rivers and streams. Late fall and early winter is “the peak of the return” when hundreds of thousands of Chinook salmon leave the ocean and swim back to their ancestral streams to spawn in California. After spawning, the fish die and decompose, their bodies rich in nitrogen and other nutrients. These nutrients enhance the soil, feeding plants, trees and wildlife.
“The land feeds the animals, AND the animals feed the land”
~ Catriona Macgregor Glazebrook
According to teacher Michael Rawlins from Archie Williams High’s SEA-DISC program, “ I have just seen kids light up as they . . . feel like they have contributed to saving an endangered species or improving a habit and know that they can go and talk about their community and families and everyone around and talk about what they think needs to get done.”
To spread the word on the critical connections between forests and oceans, share our video using the hashtags #CallToEarth, #CallToEarthDay and #PerpetualPlanet and mention WellKind and its partners.
If you would like to receive the video file, we can provide a downloadable version upon request. Please contact info@wellkind.org.
Thank you to our partners!
Tamalpais High School
Tamalpais (Tam) High School is a top rated, public secondary school located in Mill Valley, California, in the San Francisco Bay area.
Tamalpais High School was a recipient of the California Distinguished School Award several times. The school has been ranked in the top five percent of American high schools since 2005, based on a system devised by Dave Matthews of the Washington Post and reported by Newsweek.
SEA-DISC, Archie Williams High School
With an Environmental Science and Social Justice focus, SEA-DISC involves its students in meaningful projects that develop critical skills through fieldwork and hands-on laboratory experiences. Students learn to be able to eloquently and effectively discuss these issues, coming to an informed decision of their own. SEA-DISC has received several awards, including: Golden Bell Reward, best environmental educator/activism at the Youth Climate Change Summit and more.
Marin County Office of EducatioN
MCOE serves students, teachers, and families at 18 school districts within Marin County. Their School to Career Partnership program works with over 200 organizations that provide work-based learning experiences for the students of today while they are developing the skilled workforce of tomorrow. The Partnership serves students from diverse academic, social, and economic backgrounds. MCOE’s Greg Davison says, “I offer many internship opportunities, but I rank WellKind my top option. I know my students will have a life changing experience, and be able to use it to move forward in their career path.”
Salmon Protection & Watershed Network
The population of Central California Coast coho salmon has declined more than 95% and are now listed as ‘endangered”. Running through Marin County, Lagunitas Creek is one of the most important waterways left for these wild salmon, supporting 10-20% of the surviving fish. SPAWN was initiated as part of Turtle Island Restoration Network. Annually, it engages hundreds of people to learn about the majestic salmon, restore watershed habitat, and study salmon health. Its network got major media attention for endangered species on CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and other major outlets.
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive
In 25 years, the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (AATA) has cloned the genes of 110 “Champion Trees,” some of the oldest and largest trees in existence. These trees are among the most important to help us reverse climate change. Archangel has already planted over 200,000 “Champion Trees.” Its goal is to plant 100 million more trees by 2050. AATA draws an international audience and has an impressive history of media coverage. Examples include features on CNN, New York Times, BBC, and The Guardian.
