Lompoc Unified School District has formed a partnership with Space Launch Delta 30 to provide environmental beach field trips for all third-grade students in the district.

The Lompoc Unified School District Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the agreement with Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30).

Under the new agreement, SLD 30 — with funding and participation from SpaceX — will run up to 42 field trips for the nine schools in the district over three school years, with a maximum of 14 trips per school year.

The program for third graders is one of the mitigation measures agreed to between Vandenberg and the California Coastal Commission to offset restricted public access to Jalama Beach County Park during Falcon 9 rocket launches.

SLD 30 will run these field trips to make up for consistent beach closures.

The field-trip program is supported by $124,500 over the next three years from Vandenberg and SpaceX, which will fully cover transportation costs, substitute teacher pay and other necessary supplies.

Students will receive an in-class lesson before the field trips. The trips themselves will include education on the snowy plover birds and their habitats, with videos, craft supplies and professional educators provided by SLD 30 to facilitate outdoor lessons at Surf Beach or Ocean Park.

The agreement expires in June 2029. It may be extended if all parties agree.

LUSD Board President Tracy Phillips expressed gratitude for the partnership.

“We are grateful for our colleagues at Vandenberg Space Force Base and SpaceX who have partnered with us to make this opportunity possible for our students,” Phillips said in a statement.