Past PESI Field Trips

Depicted above are PAX students utilizing their binoculars to view a Red-Tailed Hawk nest! The students were about to see two baby Red-Tailed Hawks waiting for their parents to return from hunting! The students were also able to observe how the Ojai Raptor Center trains their ambassador Great Horned Owl, Juniper.

The PESI program allows students to explore various environmental careers, such as environmental/field art. The Field Art event was led by local Naturalist/Artist, Obi Kauffman! Obi shared his extensive knowledge of California’s natural history with the PESI students. Obi led the students to the Ventura River, where they used watercolor to paint the beautiful landscape surrounding them!

PAX Marine Biologist, Patrice Ringelstein, led students on a tidal pool exploration! The students were able to touch anemones, see various sea snails, and even catch a fish! Patrice and the students went on a walk along the beach where they spotted a sunfish carcass, a Snowy Egret, and a whole flock of Brown Pelicans!

PAX Biologist, Colleen, was demonstrating local flora at the Ventura River Preserve to the students! Colleen created plant presses for the students to collect flowers and press them! The students were able to collect, and learn about various native plants such as Owl’s Clover, Fiddlehead Ferns, and Black Sage.

The PESI students were able to learn, and practice Tribal Resources with Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie. Julie led the students on an informative native plant tour, as well as a tour through the Ojai Valley Museum. The students were about to learn about the history of Ojai, the influence the Chumash in the Ojai Valley, and tribal resource management practices.

PESI students were able to shadow, and practice some nursery management techniques with Ojai Valley Land Conservancy botanist, Sophie McLean! Sophie led the students on a tour around the Meadows Preserve, and pointed out various key species such as coyote brush. The students then were taught how to sow native plant seeds, which would later be planted in the Meadows Preserve!

PESI students were able to participate in a local environmental restoration project at Middle Steward Creek. The students were able to remove invasive plant species, and plant native species instead. Thus allowing the PESI students to experience firsthand what environmental nd habitat restoration entails.

The PESI students were able to learn, and practice Tribal Resources with Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie. Julie led the students on an informative native plant tour, as well as a tour through the Ojai Valley Museum. The students were about to learn about the history of Ojai, the influence the Chumash in the Ojai Valley, and tribal resource management practices.

PAX Biologist, Thomas McNamara, led students on a bird watching hike at Lake Casitas. The students utilized their binoculars to view the various bird species such as Snowy Egrets, Red-tailed Hawks, Orioles, Red-wing Black birds, Canadian Geese, and Quails. The most exciting part of the trip was the students were able to see a Bald’s eagle nests!