Teens Explore Science and Stewardship in the Trinity Alps

This summer, a unique collaboration brought together Ascend Wilderness Experience, the Bigfoot Trail Alliance, Cal Poly Humboldt, and the California Native Plant Society for a five-day adventure in the Trinity Alps. At its heart was an internship program designed for teens, blending ecological science, mentorship, and wilderness skills in one of Northern California’s most stunning backcountry landscapes. This was the second year of this collaborative trip.

Learning Science in the Field

At Upper Parker Creek Meadows, eight teens hiked into the high country with backpacks, notebooks, and curiosity. Their guides included professors and graduate students from Cal Poly Humboldt, professional botanists, and young conservation leaders. Together, they explored how science and stewardship come alive in the field.

The group learned Rapid Assessment and Relevé protocols—survey methods developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Native Plant Society to document vegetation communities. These techniques will help inform our understanding of watershed health, plant systems, and climate change. With plant presses in hand, the teens also worked alongside botanists to collect specimens that will be added to Cal Poly Humboldt’s herbarium, contributing to long-term studies on regional biodiversity and fire resiliency.

Mentorship and Collaboration

The trip paired the teens with six young professionals—graduate students, early-career botanists, and student researchers—who offered guidance, encouragement, and real-world insights into ecological careers. The atmosphere was part classroom, part wilderness expedition, where every meadow and stream became a living laboratory.

Beyond the Science

The program was about more than data and specimens. The teens gained hands-on experience with backpacking and wilderness survival skills, learning how to travel safely in remote landscapes while building confidence and resilience. Around camp, conversations stretched from the day’s discoveries to dreams for the future, weaving together the personal and the ecological.

A Glimpse of What’s Possible

By the end of the trip, the teen interns had not only built their scientific skills but also discovered their own place within the larger story of conservation. This collaboration showed that when community organizations, universities, and youth come together, we can cultivate the next generation of scientists and stewards who will carry forward the care of our watersheds, forests, and mountains.