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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2 weeks ago

Spring hike season has been off to a wonderful start! We have over 800 students from 9 local elementary schools lined up to receive a classroom lesson and hike from now through May. Stay tuned for more excitement and amazing moments as we learn among the oaks this spring.

Photo Captions:
1. Oak Ambassadors lead a third grade class as we time travel with a local oak tree from 250 years ago to today.

2. A participant is overcome with amazement as their hunt for a roly-poly turns us a legless lizard instead.

3. Happy students enjoy a hike @santa.margarita.ranch thanks to our long-term partnership allowing special access.

4. Students compare tree “cookies” while they ponder how tree rings are evidence of the past.

5. An Oak Ambassador dons a lichen beard to play the part of “old oak” in our time traveling story.

6. Students crouch and whisper about what animal they just spotted. It was a jackrabbit!

7. A student admires the roll-poly they found after a discussion of how these critter were accidentally brought to California.

8. Oak Ambassadors are supported by our @calpolycollegecorps fellow Saule as they present the final chapter of Animals and Oaks through time.

#learningamongtheoaks
#lato
#landconservancyslo
#sanluisobispocounty
#natureeducation
#outdooreducation
#kidsinnature
#leglesslizard
#undertheoaks
... See MoreSee Less

Spring hike season has been off to a wonderful start! We have over 800 students from 9 local elementary schools lined up to receive a classroom lesson and hike from now through May. Stay tuned for more excitement and amazing moments as we learn among the oaks this spring.

Photo Captions:
1. Oak Ambassadors lead a third grade class as we time travel with a local oak tree from 250 years ago to today.

2. A participant is overcome with amazement as their hunt for a roly-poly turns us a legless lizard instead.

3. Happy students enjoy a hike @santa.margarita.ranch  thanks to our long-term partnership allowing special access.

4. Students compare tree “cookies” while they ponder how tree rings are evidence of the past.

5. An Oak Ambassador dons a lichen beard to play the part of “old oak” in our time traveling story.

6. Students crouch and whisper about what animal they just spotted. It was a jackrabbit! 

7. A student admires the roll-poly they found after a discussion of how these critter were accidentally brought to California.

8. Oak Ambassadors are supported by our @calpolycollegecorps fellow Saule as they present the final chapter of Animals and Oaks through time.

#learningamongtheoaks 
#lato 
#landconservancyslo 
#sanluisobispocounty 
#natureeducation 
#outdooreducation 
#kidsinnature 
#leglesslizard 
#undertheoaksImage attachmentImage attachment+5Image attachment

Team LATO has been busy making sure the trails and outdoor education spaces are all ready for our spring programs! Can you name these three cute critters we found while getting ready for the students?

#learningamongtheoaks
#lcslo
#landconservancyslo
#outdooreducation
#natureeducationprogram
#outdoorclassroom
#hikeslo
#kidshike
#wildlife
... See MoreSee Less

Team LATO has been busy making sure the trails and outdoor education spaces are all ready for our spring programs! Can you name these three cute critters we found while getting ready for the students?

#learningamongtheoaks 
#lcslo 
#landconservancyslo 
#outdooreducation 
#natureeducationprogram 
#outdoorclassroom 
#hikeslo 
#kidshike 
#wildlifeImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

Learning Among the Oaks is overjoyed to be the recipient of donations from the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of 100 Women Who Care. By pooling individual $100 donations, these women made an incredible impact supporting our youth outdoor environmental education and conservation leadership program which will serve over 1,500 SLO county public school students this year. Thank You 100 Women Who Care!

#learningamongtheoaks
#landconservancyslo
#100womenwhocare
#slokids
#shareslo
#slocharity
#grateful
... See MoreSee Less

Learning Among the Oaks is overjoyed to be the recipient of donations from the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of 100 Women Who Care. By pooling individual $100 donations, these women made an incredible impact supporting our youth outdoor environmental education and conservation leadership program which will serve over 1,500 SLO county public school students this year. Thank You 100 Women Who Care!

#learningamongtheoaks 
#landconservancyslo 
#100womenwhocare 
#slokids 
#shareslo 
#slocharity 
#gratefulImage attachment
3 months ago

🌿Happy New Year from Learning Among the Oaks!🌿
We are deeply grateful for the curious minds and supportive families that make our program thrive. As we embark on another year of adventure, exploration, and learning, we look forward to more shared experiences that inspire stewardship, creativity, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Here’s to a year of new discoveries, mindful moments, and continuing to learn and grow among the oaks! 🌱🌳

#LearningAmongTheOaks #OutdoorEducation #NewYearNewAdventures #NatureLearning #GratefulForNature #ExploreGrowThrive

🌿¡Feliz Año Nuevo de parte de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles!🌿
Estamos profundamente agradecidos por las mentes curiosas y las familias apoyadoras que hacen que nuestro programa prospere. Mientras nos embarcamos en otro año de aventura, exploración y aprendizaje, esperamos con entusiasmo más experiencias compartidas que inspiren el cuidado del medio ambiente, la creatividad y un profundo respeto por el mundo natural.

¡Brindemos por un año de nuevos descubrimientos, momentos de conciencia y seguir aprendiendo y creciendo entre los robles! 🌱🌳

#LearningAmongTheOaks #EducaciónAlAireLibre #AñoNuevoNuevasAventuras #AprendizajeEnLaNaturaleza #AgradecidosConLaNaturaleza #ExplorarCrecerProsperar
... See MoreSee Less

🌿Happy New Year from Learning Among the Oaks!🌿
We are deeply grateful for the curious minds and supportive families that make our program thrive. As we embark on another year of adventure, exploration, and learning, we look forward to more shared experiences that inspire stewardship, creativity, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Here’s to a year of new discoveries, mindful moments, and continuing to learn and grow among the oaks! 🌱🌳

#LearningAmongTheOaks #OutdoorEducation #NewYearNewAdventures #NatureLearning #GratefulForNature #ExploreGrowThrive

🌿¡Feliz Año Nuevo de parte de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles!🌿
Estamos profundamente agradecidos por las mentes curiosas y las familias apoyadoras que hacen que nuestro programa prospere. Mientras nos embarcamos en otro año de aventura, exploración y aprendizaje, esperamos con entusiasmo más experiencias compartidas que inspiren el cuidado del medio ambiente, la creatividad y un profundo respeto por el mundo natural.

¡Brindemos por un año de nuevos descubrimientos, momentos de conciencia y seguir aprendiendo y creciendo entre los robles! 🌱🌳

#LearningAmongTheOaks #EducaciónAlAireLibre #AñoNuevoNuevasAventuras #AprendizajeEnLaNaturaleza #AgradecidosConLaNaturaleza #ExplorarCrecerProsperarImage attachmentImage attachment

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year! Your donations allow us to provide impactful, curriculum and standards-aligned nature education programs to thousands of TK through 6th grade students in San Luis Obispo County. Our programs are always free of charge for participants! This ensures every child has the opportunity to explore and connect with nature in their community.

Please consider supporting us this Giving Tuesday to help us improve and expand opportunities in 2025!

#GivingTuesday
#slocounty
#natureeducation
#FutureConservationist
#FutureConservationLeaders
#learningamongtheoaks
#outdooreducation
#freeprograms
#freeprogramsforkids
#FreeProgramsForFamilies
#landconservancyslo
#conservecareconnect
... See MoreSee Less

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year! Your donations allow us to provide impactful, curriculum and standards-aligned nature education programs to thousands of TK through 6th grade students in San Luis Obispo County. Our programs are always free of charge for participants! This ensures every child has the opportunity to explore and connect with nature in their community.

Please consider supporting us this Giving Tuesday to help us improve and expand opportunities in 2025!

#givingtuesday 
#slocounty 
#natureeducation 
#futureconservationist 
#futureconservationleaders 
#learningamongtheoaks 
#outdooreducation 
#freeprograms 
#freeprogramsforkids 
#freeprogramsforfamilies 
#landconservancyslo 
#conservecareconnect

🍂🦃 🍂🦃 Grateful for You, Our wonderful Learning Among the Oaks community! 🦃🍂

Learning Among the Oaks would not be what it is today without our committed partners, donors, and all our supporters who make LATO accessible and sustainable for our students! Your generosity and belief in outdoor education make all the difference in empowering the next generation of environmental stewards. Because of YOU, students get to explore, learn, and grow in our local Oak Woodlands! Wishing you all a warm and joyful holiday season. We’re so thankful for your continued support! 💚

#Thanksgiving #Gratitude #OutdoorLearning #LATO #learningamongtheoaks #thankyouforyoursupport

🦃 ¡Agradecidos por Ustedes, nuestra maravillosa Comunidad de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles! 🦃🍂

¡Aprendiendo Entre los Robles no sería lo que es hoy sin nuestros socios comprometidos, donantes y todos nuestros apoyadores que hacen posible y sostenible LATO para nuestros estudiantes! Su generosidad y su creencia en la educación al aire libre marcan la diferencia al empoderar a la próxima generación de guardianes del medio ambiente. ¡Gracias a USTEDES, los estudiantes pueden explorar, aprender y crecer en nuestros bosques de robles locales! Les deseamos a todos una temporada navideña cálida y alegre. ¡Estamos muy agradecidos por su apoyo continuo! 💚

#Agradecidos #EscuelaAlAireLibre #Gratitud #DarDeVuelta #EducaciónAmbiental #ApoyoComunitario
... See MoreSee Less

🍂🦃 🍂🦃 Grateful for You, Our wonderful Learning Among the Oaks community! 🦃🍂 

Learning Among the Oaks would not be what it is today without our committed partners, donors, and all our supporters who make LATO accessible and sustainable for our students! Your generosity and belief in outdoor education make all the difference in empowering the next generation of environmental stewards. Because of YOU, students get to explore, learn, and grow in our local Oak Woodlands! Wishing you all a warm and joyful holiday season. We’re so thankful for your continued support! 💚 
 
#Thanksgiving #Gratitude #OutdoorLearning #LATO #learningamongtheoaks #thankyouforyoursupport

🦃 ¡Agradecidos por Ustedes, nuestra maravillosa Comunidad de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles! 🦃🍂 
 
¡Aprendiendo Entre los Robles no sería lo que es hoy sin nuestros socios comprometidos, donantes y todos nuestros apoyadores que hacen posible y sostenible LATO para nuestros estudiantes! Su generosidad y su creencia en la educación al aire libre marcan la diferencia al empoderar a la próxima generación de guardianes del medio ambiente. ¡Gracias a USTEDES, los estudiantes pueden explorar, aprender y crecer en nuestros bosques de robles locales! Les deseamos a todos una temporada navideña cálida y alegre. ¡Estamos muy agradecidos por su apoyo continuo! 💚 

#Agradecidos #EscuelaAlAireLibre #Gratitud #DarDeVuelta #EducaciónAmbiental #ApoyoComunitarioImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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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