The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is looking for teens to participate in its X-Stream Science Team, a teen volunteer program focused on providing hands-on experiences in natural history and field biology.

X-Stream Science Team meets weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. starting Oct. 8 at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road.

Mounting evidence indicates time spent in nature while a child is growing up leads to the adoption of environmentally sound practices as an adult. As an outdoor classroom, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a place for safe exploration of native plants and the myriad organisms that rely on them.

The garden offers a setting for teens to develop a deep connection with nature that will shape their environmental decisions as adults, and engages students in real-life science and stewardship.

“Many young people aren’t aware of the diverse career and volunteer opportunities available in environmental conservation,” said Scot Pipkin, the garden’s director of education and engagement.

“The X-Stream Science Team provides meaningful environmental science experiences and the tools to raise public awareness about some of our community’s biggest environmental issues,” Pipkin said.

The X-Stream Science Team program is centered on the Mission Creek watershed and is focused on providing hands-on experiences in natural history and field biology. Teens are able to see, experience and study California’s native plants and animals while learning about the vital role watersheds play in our environment.

During the school year, teens will learn about native plant and watershed ecology while exploring multiple facets of environmental science, including:  

» Field Biology & Community Science: Team members explore Mission Canyon to study, collect and process plant species to create a comprehensive flora of the area.  Outside of the field season, students participate in monitoring and collection projects focused on studying Mission Creek.

» Environmental Education: Team members build crucial communication skills by engaging with elementary students in offsite outreach events as well as by designing and facilitating a puzzle-based experience for garden visitors.  

» Restoration: The team engages in restoration opportunities such as invasive plant removal, and creek and beach clean-ups throughout the school year.

“The most influential activity in my life has been my continued volunteer work at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,” said Anna Brown, past X-Stream Science Team member and Dos Pueblos High School class of 2017 graduate.

“This volunteer work has allowed me to learn more about scientific methods and provides the opportunity to develop and carry out experiments in a professional setting,” she said. “Having this activity in my life has greatly influenced my interest in pursuing a career in science and given me the resources and encouragement to do so.”

“This science has really given me so much knowledge and valuable experience I could not have gotten otherwise during high school and it has been a highlight and something I look forward to every week,” said Asher Thomson, past X-Stream Science Team member and Dos Pueblos High School class of 2019 graduate.

The program is designed for students in grades nine-12. Eighth-graders may be accepted with teacher recommendation.

For more information, contact Michelle Cyr, education programs coordinator, mcyr@sbbg.org, or call 805-682-4726, ext. 161.  

— Flannery Hill for Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.