Graduate Student Inspires Budding Herpetologists at Summer Camp
SSU graduate student, Beth Sabo, served as a visiting biologist at Owl Camp, a nature-based day camp run by LandPaths. The mission of LandPaths is to foster a love of the land through access, stewardship, and education. Beth worked with 30 campers ranging from ages 6-16. These campers were supported through the City of Santa Rosa’s initiative to engage students in camps and outdoor activities through grant funding. Underserved students from various Santa Rosa City schools were provided free camp all week, including meals and transportation to the incredible Bohemia Ecological Preserve in Occidental, CA.
Bohemia Ecological Preserve is a 1,000 acre nature preserve actively managed by the Coast Miwok peoples prior to western expansion. LandPaths currently stewards this property in cooperation with a private owner. Situated in Dutch Bill Creek watershed near the town of Occidental and Camp Meeker, this location is an ideal setting for young biologists to ignite their passion in engaging with nature.
The property is home to multiple streams, a waterfall, and a large lake. Beth worked with students to collect American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) at all life stages, newt larvae (Taricha spp) and various aquatic macroinvertebrates. Beth shared the basic biology of these animals and shared her research summary with the campers. The campers were full of questions, excitement, and joy! At the end of the day reflection circle campers exclaimed, “My favorite part of the day was learning how to hold a frog,” or “The best part of the day was catching frogs!”
While the campers learned all about amphibians from Beth, Beth learned how to be a kid again and that we could all use a little bit more of the enthusiasm of a 6 year old who has spotted a frog in the water.