The Best Ecological studies in Santa Monica, California

Welcome to the Santa Clara River Preserve, a stunning natural haven located at 1368 Mission Rock Road, Santa Paula, California. This expansive park spans nearly two miles of the majestic Santa Clara River, encompassing almost 1,000 acres of diverse upland habitat and riverbed. As one of the few public access points to the Santa Clara River, the preserve offers a unique opportunity to connect with this vital waterway. Managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Santa Clara River Preserve is a perfect destination for outdoor education, community gatherings, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Visitors can explore the natural beauty and learn about the ecological significance of the Santa Clara River, a critical source of drinking water and a key resource for local agriculture. The preserve also plays an essential role in providing some of the last riverside and freshwater habitats in the Los Angeles-Ventura region.

Manzanita School and Institute is a WASC-accredited K-12 independent college preparatory school located in the beautiful Santa Monica mountains of Topanga, California. Founded in 2014, Manzanita offers a unique indoor-outdoor curriculum that blends rigorous academics with land stewardship and the study of local ecology on its 21-acre campus. The school sits at the foot of wild chaparral, providing students with a rich natural environment for learning. The campus includes a working organic farm, providing hands-on experiences for students to connect with nature. The school's campus is also a historical landscape, an artist's studio, a naturalist's field guide, and a geologist's dream, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

The School of Los Angeles is a co-ed, college-preparatory day school located in the heart of Old Hollywood at 6325 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Serving grades six through twelve, our institution is dedicated to providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment for students from all walks of life. Over half of our students receive need-based tuition assistance, allowing us to bring together a community that truly reflects the diversity of the city. Through experiential and project-based learning approaches, our students engage in a comprehensive and challenging liberal arts and STEM curriculum. Courses offered include cutting-edge fields such as ecology, computer science, ethnic studies, music production, and filmmaking. We believe that a stratified education system is detrimental to the growth and development of young individuals and strive to break down barriers in our society through education. At the School of Los Angeles, students have the opportunity to learn from real-world experiences and form lifelong bonds with peers from different backgrounds. We emphasize hands-on learning and direct engagement with the city of Los Angeles as a classroom. Our students participate in a wide range of activities, from community outreach to studying the ecology of the L.A. River and engaging in social movements for climate justice.

The UCLA La Kretz Field Station, located at 31915 Mulholland Highway in Malibu, California, is a hub for field research activities, accommodations for researchers, and space for meetings and classes. Managed by the UCLA La Kretz Center in collaboration with the National Park Service, the Field Station is situated in the Santa Monica Mountains, providing an ideal location for collaborative conservation projects in Southern California. With lab facilities, accommodations for overnight visitors, and a conference room, the Field Station serves as a natural bridge between laboratory-based research on campus and ecological work in the field. Visitors can engage in conservation science research, educational activities, and collaborative projects at the Field Station. Additionally, the La Kretz Center oversees the Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve, offering opportunities for research and education in the Cold Creek watershed. To make a reservation at the Field Station, applicants can visit the University of California Natural Reserve System online Reserve Management System.

The SMC Sustainability Center, located at 1744 Pearl Street in Santa Monica, California, is a university institution dedicated to preparing students for future careers in sustainability and global citizenship. As a leader in campus sustainability, the center offers opportunities for students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios and participate in green initiatives on a daily basis. The center serves as a living laboratory with green building features, providing educational demonstrations for students. From recycling programs to green job opportunities on campus, the Sustainability Center offers a range of resources for students interested in pursuing careers in sustainability. Join one of the center's clubs, such as the Eco-Action Club or SMC Bike Club, to get involved in sustainability initiatives on campus. Explore career paths in sustainability and gain a better understanding of food systems through the center's programs and resources. Students who qualify for Federal Work-Study can also find job opportunities at the Sustainability Center through the College Central Network.