In Los Angeles County, Irina Contreras, who manages programs for the Department of Arts and Culture, found solace in outdoor education for her and her daughter during the pandemic. However, the recent wildfires sweeping through the region have devastated these cherished natural escapes.
Contreras’s daughter, Ceiba, is part of a children’s hiking group called Hawks and previously attended Matilija, a bilingual forest school. These programs allowed her to explore nature, hike, and engage in hands-on learning experiences. Sadly, many of these spaces, including Eaton Canyon Nature Area, have been scorched by the fires.
Parents like Contreras are grappling with the emotional toll of these disasters. The wildfires have not only caused loss of life and destruction of homes but have also obliterated areas that served as vital educational resources for families, especially following the isolation of the pandemic. Schools, nature preschools, and summer camps that provided learning avenues for children have been severely impacted.
The fires have also damaged school facilities, including Odyssey Charter School in Altadena, which some local children attend. Miguel Ordeñana, a community science manager at the Natural History Museum, expressed the heavy burden of explaining the situation to his children as many friends lost their homes and the future of their schooling hangs in uncertainty.
While Griffith Park, known for its view of the Hollywood sign, remains intact, air quality issues have made it challenging for families to enjoy outdoor activities. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District have temporarily closed due to smoke and ash, with officials unable to predict when classes can resume.
During the pandemic, Contreras felt the weight of remote work and the importance of outdoor activities. She remains hopeful that outdoor education programs will eventually return, despite questions about safety in areas like Eaton Canyon.
Richard Smart, the superintendent of Eaton Canyon Natural Area, shared the heartbreak of losing such an important educational resource. The area had previously hosted numerous school field trips, providing free access to nature, which parents appreciated for its local and safe environment. With the nature center now reduced to ruins, many in the community feel the loss deeply.
Parents and teachers are now left wondering where to take their children as the fires continue to rage. Lila Higgins, a senior manager at the Natural History Museum, advocates for the benefits of nature in children’s development, emphasizing that time spent outdoors is key for their mental and physical well-being.
Greg Pauly, co-author of a nature guidebook, notes that while these popular educational sites are vital for families, it may take time before they can serve as safe learning destinations again. He reflects on the challenges modern Southern California faces with fires reshaping both the landscape and the lives of its residents frequently.
As the community rallies to support those affected by the fires, many remain optimistic about rebuilding and restoring access to valuable educational and recreational spaces in the future.
