Learning Among the Oaks

Connecting kids, nature, and land

Help us build a community of kids who care about nature and each other

See how we’re changing young lives

“I have learned that being an Oak Ambassador means more than just knowing about animals, oaks, rocks and other parts of nature. It means being responsible, respectful, and helpful to nature and teaching others to do the same.”

—- Boone, 5th grade Oak Ambassador

About Learning Among the Oaks

Learning Among the Oaks (LATO) is The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County‘s (LCSLO) nature education, environmental conservation, and youth leadership program.  We connect youth and families to the land by providing educational hikes, hands-on conservation projects, and opportunities for youth to lead the way.

LATO programs reach more than 3,000 people each year, mostly children and families, from throughout San Luis Obispo County. Our focus on place-based learning and integration with public school programs means that experiences are relevant to kids’ everyday lives and that students from a variety of backgrounds have the opportunity to participate.

Together, we’re building a community of young people who care about nature and each other.

What LATO has been up to

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1 month ago

Latest logo for Learning Among the Oaks! ... See MoreSee Less

Latest logo for Learning Among the Oaks!

Did you know that insects represent the largest percentage—almost 40%—of all known living species in the world? Finding and learning about these amazing, often-overlooked critters and other animals without backbones (invertebrates) is the focus of our program this Saturday, Aug. 2, 10am-noon. Located on the Nipomo Mesa at our wonderful Kathleen’s Canyon Overlook Park, featuring both native plantings and a playground, this family-friendly event will have something for kids of all ages!

🪲 🦋 🪰 Click on the link in our bio to sign up for this (under Birds and Bugs) and other free summer activities. All youth must be accompanied by an adult; be sure to claim a sign up for each person attending. Please reach out to lato@lcslo.org with accessibility requests and any questions. The park has an ADA-accessible boardwalk, viewing platform, and wheelchair-friendly picnic tables. 🐝 🐞 🦗

¿Sabías que los insectos representan el mayor porcentaje (casi el 40%) de todas las especies vivas conocidas del mundo? Descubrir y aprender sobre estas asombrosas criaturas, a menudo ignoradas, y otros animales sin columna vertebral (invertebrados) es el enfoque de nuestro programa este sábado 2 de agosto, de 10:00 a. m. a mediodía. Ubicado en la Mesa de Nipomo, en nuestro maravilloso Parque Kathleen's Canyon Overlook, con plantaciones nativas y un área de juegos, este evento familiar tendrá algo para niños de todas las edades.

Haga Click al link en nuestra biografía para inscribirse (debajo Pájaros e insectos) y también para otras actividades gratis. Todos los niños necesitan un adulto, Asegúrese de solicitar una inscripción por cada asistente. Para solicitudes de accesibilidad o cualquier pregunta, comuníquese con lato@lcslo.org. El parque cuenta con un paseo marítimo adaptado para personas con discapacidad, un mirador y mesas de picnic adaptadas para sillas de ruedas.

#learningamongtheoaks #lcslo #natureeducation #getoutside #insect #familyfriendly #slocounty #arroyogrande #nipomomesa
... See MoreSee Less

Did you know that insects represent the largest percentage—almost 40%—of all known living species in the world? Finding and learning about these amazing, often-overlooked critters and other animals without backbones (invertebrates) is the focus of our program this Saturday, Aug. 2, 10am-noon. Located on the Nipomo Mesa at our wonderful Kathleen’s Canyon Overlook Park, featuring both native plantings and a playground, this family-friendly event will have something for kids of all ages!

🪲 🦋 🪰 Click on the link in our bio to sign up for this (under Birds and Bugs) and other free summer activities. All youth must be accompanied by an adult; be sure to claim a sign up for each person attending. Please reach out to lato@lcslo.org with accessibility requests and any questions. The park has an ADA-accessible boardwalk, viewing platform, and wheelchair-friendly picnic tables. 🐝 🐞 🦗

¿Sabías que los insectos representan el mayor porcentaje (casi el 40%) de todas las especies vivas conocidas del mundo? Descubrir y aprender sobre estas asombrosas criaturas, a menudo ignoradas, y otros animales sin columna vertebral (invertebrados) es el enfoque de nuestro programa este sábado 2 de agosto, de 10:00 a. m. a mediodía. Ubicado en la Mesa de Nipomo, en nuestro maravilloso Parque Kathleens Canyon Overlook, con plantaciones nativas y un área de juegos, este evento familiar tendrá algo para niños de todas las edades.

Haga Click al link en nuestra biografía para inscribirse (debajo Pájaros e insectos) y también para otras actividades gratis. Todos los niños necesitan un adulto, Asegúrese de solicitar una inscripción por cada asistente. Para solicitudes de accesibilidad o cualquier pregunta, comuníquese con lato@lcslo.org. El parque cuenta con un paseo marítimo adaptado para personas con discapacidad, un mirador y mesas de picnic adaptadas para sillas de ruedas.

#learningamongtheoaks #lcslo #natureeducation #getoutside #insect #familyfriendly #slocounty #arroyogrande #nipomomesa

We had so much fun celebrating National Moth Week with our very first Mothing event last night! It was a blast and we can’t wait to do it again!

@mothweek
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
#moths
#kidsandmoths
#nightimeexploring
#learningamongtheoaks
#nationalmothweek
... See MoreSee Less

We had so much fun celebrating National Moth Week with our very first Mothing event last night! It was a blast and we can’t wait to do it again!

@mothweek 
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
#moths 
#kidsandmoths 
#nightimeexploring 
#learningamongtheoaks 
#nationalmothweekImage attachmentImage attachment

The Learning Among the Oaks team is excited to be holding our first ever Mothing event to coincide with @mothweek National Moth Week. Our event is at capacity, but we hope you find the time to explore the wonderful world of moths with the kids in your life. See the post in our story for how to get started!

📸 Education coordinator Anna checking the set up at one of our San Luis Obispo County @landconservancyslo properties

#MothWeek
#mothweek2025
#kidslovemoths
#KidsInNature
#learningamongtheoaks
#landconservancyslo
... See MoreSee Less

The Learning Among the Oaks team is excited to be holding our first ever Mothing event to coincide with @mothweek National Moth Week. Our event is at capacity, but we hope you find the time to explore the wonderful world of moths with the kids in your life. See the post in our story for how to get started!

📸 Education coordinator Anna checking the set up at one of our San Luis Obispo County @landconservancyslo properties

#mothweek 
#mothweek2025 
#kidslovemoths 
#kidsinnature 
#learningamongtheoaks 
#landconservancyslo

It’s Snake Week everyone!! Snakes are a critical member of our Central Coast ecosystems and provide fantastic free services to us humans while also looking super cool.
🌟For amazing worldwide learning opportunities check out @snake_week and all their events!
🌟And don’t forget to come see us this Friday at the beautiful @pismopreserve from 4-6 pm for free family fun in celebration of World Snake Day! There will be experts, arts and crafts, and friendly live snakes to meet. Sssssssee you there!

More info at LCSLO.org/events

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County / Central Coast Snake Services / Pacific Wildlife Care / Positive Ride

#snake
#worldsnakeday
#snakeweek
#snakeweek2025
#pismopreserve
#pismobeach
#snakes
#snakesarecool
#snakesarecute
#snakesareawesome
#snakesarefriends
#friendofsnakes
#learningamongtheoaks
... See MoreSee Less

It’s Snake Week everyone!! Snakes are a critical member of our Central Coast ecosystems and provide fantastic free services to us humans while also looking super cool. 
🌟For amazing worldwide learning opportunities check out @snake_week and all their events!  
🌟And don’t forget to come see us this Friday at the beautiful @pismopreserve from 4-6 pm for free family fun in celebration of World Snake Day! There will be experts, arts and crafts, and friendly live snakes to meet. Sssssssee you there!

More info at LCSLO.org/events

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County / Central Coast Snake Services /  Pacific Wildlife Care / Positive Ride
 
#snake 
#worldsnakeday 
#snakeweek 
#snakeweek2025 
#pismopreserve 
#pismobeach 
#snakes 
#snakesarecool 
#snakesarecute 
#snakesareawesome 
#snakesarefriends 
#friendofsnakes 
#learningamongtheoaksImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
2 months ago

Join Learning Among the Oaks for an oak woodland walk at the Pismo Preserve Wednesday 7/9. Get to know some of our Central Coast oaks next week. We hope to walk with you among the Pismo oaks!🌳
#oakwoodland #pismopreserve #californiaoaktrees #getoutside
Unase con Aprendiendo Entre Los Robles para un caminata en el Pismo Preserve miércoles 7/9. Llegaré a conocer unos de los Robles aquí en la costa central la próxima semana. Nosotras esperamos a caminar contigo entre los robles de Pismo. 🌳
#airelibre #aprendiendoentrelosrobles
... See MoreSee Less

Join Learning Among the Oaks for an oak woodland walk at the Pismo Preserve Wednesday 7/9. Get to know some of our Central Coast oaks next week. We hope to walk with you among the Pismo oaks!🌳
#oakwoodland #pismopreserve #californiaoaktrees #getoutside 
Unase con Aprendiendo Entre Los Robles para un caminata en el Pismo Preserve miércoles 7/9. Llegaré a conocer unos de los Robles aquí en la costa central la próxima semana. Nosotras esperamos a caminar contigo entre los robles de Pismo. 🌳
#airelibre #aprendiendoentrelosrobles
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I have learned to love nature, to be one with nature, and to value nature.

- Rosie, Oak Ambassador, 4th grade

Subscribe to the LATO

Nature Notes Newsletter

Our Partners & Supporters

San Luis Obispo County Fish and Game Fines Committee

Rod Hoadley ~ Peak Racks

Marguerite Costigan and Terry Sanville

Ann Robinson

Brisco Foundation

Joan Collier

Barlow Family Foundation

Justin Community Grants

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Randy and Sally Knight

Christine Harvey

Mankins Foundation

Marney and Roger Briggs

James F. Maino and Lisa Kilburn

Maxwell-Hanrahan Foundation

Warren and Carol Sinsheimer

DeVos Family Foundation

100 Women Who Care SLO