Protecting Pelicans

Each year, the Mount Madonna School fifth grade class engages in a year-long cross-curricular study focused on an environmental topic selected by the students. For 2022-23, students voted to focus on pelicans to raise public awareness and reduce the existential threats faced by these seabirds.

In November, students visited the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz to learn about marine debris in the Monterey Bay and how it affects the ecosystem. That same day students conducted a cleanup of Cowell Beach, mostly collecting microplastic debris, cigarette butts and pieces of Styrofoam.

This field trip was part of the students’ research, as they are collaborating in small groups to write reports about pelicans, the Monterey Bay habitat, and identify threats to pelicans and conservation efforts underway.

Teacher Jessica Cambell invited representatives from International Bird Rescue to campus to speak to students.

“The presenters helped students to learn more about threats faced by pelicans and the work the organization is engaged in to help protect pelicans and other birds around the world,” said Cambell.

Mount Madonna students will create educational flyers for International Bird Rescue to use at public outreach events. The class will also “adopt” a pelican getting rehabilitation before release.

Cambell said additional collaborations include a possible link for Mount Madonna students with students at other schools located where pelicans migrate.

Another field trip will head to Neary Lagoon Park and Wildlife Refuge in Santa Cruz for a “watershed walk” with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

“Students will work with educators from the natural history museum to build an understanding of how humans impact the watershed and the role we all play in protecting our watershed,” said Cambell. “Students will conduct water quality testing, data analysis, habitat observation and stewardship. This field trip will also be connected to a classroom visit from a museum educator, as we explore the vital role watersheds play in the survival of pelicans and many other species.”