Environmental Living Program (ELP)

 No ELP This School Year!

 

To our valued education partners,

I hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to inform you of an important update regarding the Environmental Living Program (ELP) at Fort Ross Conservancy (FRC).

After much thought and consideration, we have decided not to move forward with the ELP. This decision was not made lightly, and we believe it is in the best interest of the program and our participants. Amongst the primary reasons for this decision are infrastructure issues within the buildings in the fort complex. These issues need to be addressed before they can safely be utilized for overnight programs. We understand the inconvenience this may cause and sincerely apologize for any disruption to your planning for the next school year.

In addition to addressing these infrastructure concerns, FRC and State Parks will also take this time to re-visit and thoroughly evaluate the ELP curriculum. This evaluation period will allow us to make necessary revisions and improvements to enhance the educational value, equitability and overall experience of the program. It will also allow time for State Parks to complete the Interpretive Master Plan for Fort Ross State Historic Park. We are committed to providing a high-quality, impactful learning experience, and we believe that taking this time for reflection and improvement is crucial to achieving that goal.

We value our partnership with you and are dedicated to the continuation of our other educational offerings. FRC is pleased to continue to offer our various Coastal Ecology Programs in several different capacities. We welcome school groups to join us for a Marine Ecology Program (MEP) day trip or stay with us overnight in tents. The MEP is a fun, hands-on outdoor education program where students have the opportunity to explore the coast and learn about coastal wildlife and ecosystems, the intersection of natural and cultural history, and environmental conservation. Students can explore the tidepools, learn about the fur trade in the historic fort, see marine mammals including our resident harbor seals and sea lions, search for mole crabs, and experience what it is like being a field scientist. If travel to the coast is not feasible for your group, please consider having us to your school for an MEP or working with our staff to customize a virtual program. Visit our website for more information and if you have any questions, reach out to mep@fortross.org 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you in the future and continuing our mission to provide exceptional educational programs.

Warm regards,

Ian Taylor

Executive Director

Fort Ross Conservancy