New conservation in action program for community colleges

Michelle Rebilas, Director of Education
​Tara Tucci, Environmental Educator

The team conducting a marsh assessment.

​Many college students choose environmental majors because they want to get out of the office and into the world around them. They want to get their hands dirty, see the impact of their work, and make a real difference. Getting that hands-on experience, however, is not always easy, especially for community college students. Unlike 4-year universities, many community colleges do not offer consistent, in-the-field experiential learning opportunities for students. Most opportunities that are offered are outside of class time and costly, forcing many students to spend their free time and money to gain career experience outside of school while balancing other responsibilities.

The American Littoral Society recognizes this gap and is excited to announce a new educational initiative called Coastal Conservation in Action, an enrichment program that connects community college students to field-based experiential learning, workforce training, and pathways into environmental careers.

Using the seine net to find different marine species for identification.

Careers in environmental science require skills. Students need to be provided with opportunities to practice techniques, use technology and equipment, and problem solve in the field. Through this new initiative, students will have the opportunity to use field equipment and technology, visit an active habitat restoration site, and participate in a real environmental survey, all while completing their college courses. This program will bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world coastal conservation.
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Coastal Conservation in Action is about making sure that hands-on experience is not limited to those who have the time and resources to seek it out on their own. By bringing field work directly to the class, we can give community college students the place to build practical skills, gain confidence, and see what a career in environmental science could look like. Our goal is not only to have students leave with the knowledge they need, but the experience, confidence, and connections that prepare them for future roles in the environmental field. 

Students planting dune grass.

Example Field Experiences
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Choose from one of our existing field experiences or work with us to create an activity specifically for your course and your students.

• Coastal Field Techniques: A crash course on environmental field equipment and technology, followed by the opportunity to put it to use at a habitat restoration site!
• Oyster Reef Biological Assessments: Take a trip to one of our active restoration sites and measure oyster growth, conduct quadrat sampling to assess biodiversity, and measure water quality.
• Beach & Marsh Restoration Survey: Conduct pre-restoration monitoring to learn how to select sites for habitat restoration. Learn how to conduct a vegetation survey, sand grain size analysis, and use “blue technology” to assess the baseline site condition.
• Dune Grass Planting: Learn about the coastal dune system and visit one of the Littoral Society’s restoration sites to contribute to a real restoration initiative that helps preserve the ecosystem.

To learn more about this program and how to get your students involved,

Contact Michelle Rebilas, Director of Education

​[email protected]