Irina Contreras, a program manager at the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, found solace in outdoor education during the challenging times of the pandemic, a refuge she shared with her daughter. However, that haven is now marred by the destructive wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles area.
Contreras’ 7-year-old daughter, Ceiba, had enjoyed exploring nature as part of a children’s adventure group called Hawks. She also attended Matilija, a bilingual forest school that focused on preschool and kindergarten-aged children. No matter the weather, Ceiba and her friends would revel in activities like hiking, climbing, and swimming in the natural beauty of locations such as the Eaton Canyon Nature Area, a 190-acre preserve that has now been devastated by flames.
At the forest school, Ceiba learned to engage with nature, such as asking plants for consent before taking samples to add to her nature journal. There was even an instance where Ceiba and her friends stumbled upon a secret trail behind a waterfall, an experience she spoke about excitedly for days afterward.
For parents, including Contreras, the impact of these wildfires extends beyond the immediate distress of lost lives and homes. They are also grieving the educational natural spaces that had provided sanctuary and learning opportunities for families throughout the pandemic—a time when such experiences were crucial. The flames have swept through various educational settings including summer camps, private schools, nature-based preschools, and homeschool groups.
“It’s about more than just the lessons she learned,” noted Contreras. “I can confidently say it has personally affected me.” The blazes have even resulted in the destruction of school buildings, such as the Odyssey Charter School in Altadena, which some of Miguel Ordeñana’s children attend.
“The fire has devastated our community,” Ordeñana, who serves as the senior manager of community science at the Natural History Museum, remarked. He has faced the tough task of conveying the tragic news of the fire’s impact to his children while also helping them navigate the emotional fallout of friends losing their homes. The fate of the school staff remains uncertain as many teachers also reside in the affected areas.
Some locations, while spared from direct damage, still remain inaccessible due to hazardous air quality. Griffith Park, famous for its Hollywood sign, was untouched by the fire as of the end of the week, but officials are unsure when conditions will allow the resumption of outdoor activities. Ordeñana, who previously captured the well-known late puma P-22 on camera, shared his worries about the unpredictability of returning to normalcy.
Although some families, including Ordeñana’s, managed to come together for a small indoor gathering, uncertainty looms ahead with ongoing school closures that could delay their routine past next week. All schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District—the largest in the nation—were closed for the day due to the heavy smoke and ash that engulfed the area. Other districts, such as Pasadena Unified School District, also suspended classes, with several campuses adversely affected, including Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School.
A recent statement from the California Department of Education revealed that 335 schools across several counties, including Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino, were closed, leaving the number of future cancellations in question. During the pandemic, Contreras found herself increasingly glued to electronic devices, dedicating her energy to work. However, witnessing her daughter’s outdoor explorations helped her comprehend the essential need to disconnect and engage with nature.
Contreras remains optimistic that outdoor educational programs will bounce back, though it is uncertain when places like Eaton Canyon will be safe for visitors. Richard Smart, the superintendent of the Eaton Canyon Natural Area, expressed sorrow at the loss of the nature center and its surrounding ecosystem. “All the wildflowers and shrubs are gone,” he lamented. The center was a hub for numerous school field trips each year, with over a thousand students visiting annually.
“Educators appreciated its accessibility and the opportunity for students to engage with nature in a safe environment,” he explained. Unfortunately, only a few walls of the center remain standing now.
Smart highlighted that for many nearby school districts, Eaton Canyon was a familiar and cherished location. “The loss of this community resource is simply devastating,” he emphasized. As fires continue to ravage areas of Los Angeles, parents and educators alike are left pondering alternative options for their children, according to Lila Higgins, a senior manager at the Natural History Museum.
Following a catastrophe like the wildfires, reconnecting with the land can be therapeutic, Higgins states. She emphasized the importance of following the leadership of Indigenous communities during fire recovery efforts.
As a certified forest therapy guide, Higgins underscores the benefits of nature; time spent outdoors can lower heart rates and blood pressure, and significantly help children, particularly those with ADHD, find calmness. “Engaging with the natural world is vital for children’s development,” Higgins affirmed, pointing out the numerous advantages that outdoor experiences offer, including fostering connections with animals and promoting an understanding of human impacts on the ecosystem.
Greg Pauly, director of the Urban Nature Research Center, echoed a hopeful message, expressing belief that natural areas such as Eaton Canyon will eventually reopen for exploration and educational trips. However, he cautioned that this restoration process may take some time. “This is the reality of living in Southern California,” Pauly stated. “Unexpected fires frequently alter both landscapes and lives.”
