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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21 hours ago

Para español ver abajo. 🌳 🌳

Hellooo, new school year! The Learning Among the Oaks team is looking forward to getting out on the trails! We will be kicking off fall hikes with TK kids learning about living vs nonliving things and our kindergarten friends exploring animal habitats. Fifth graders will be closing out their oak woodlands experience with us by tying in all they have learned within the context of the carbon cycle. And our fourth-grade friends will be meeting some slithery friends and learning about structures in nature. Wishing you all an inspiring school year!

🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

¡Hola nueva año de escuela! ¡La Equipo de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles está deseando salir a los senderos! Vamos a comenzar las caminatas de otoño con los niños de TK aprendiendo sobre seres vivos y no vivos. Nuestros amigos de Kindergarten estarán explorando los hábitats de los animales. Los estudiantes de 5.º grado concluirán su experiencia de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles conectando todo lo que han aprendido sobre los bosques de robles dentro del contexto del Ciclo del Carbono. Nuestros amigos de 4.º grado conocerán algunos amigos deslizantes y aprenderán sobre las estructuras en la naturaleza. ¡Les deseamos a todos un año de clases llena de inspiración!

@LandConservancySLO #learningamongtheoaks #aprendiendoentrelosrobles #slocounty #outdooreducation #environmentaleducation
... See MoreSee Less

Para español ver abajo. 🌳 🌳 

Hellooo, new school year! The Learning Among the Oaks team is looking forward to getting out on the trails! We will be kicking off fall hikes with TK kids learning about living vs nonliving things and our kindergarten friends exploring animal habitats. Fifth graders will be closing out their oak woodlands experience with us by tying in all they have learned within the context of the carbon cycle. And our fourth-grade friends will be meeting some slithery friends and learning about structures in nature. Wishing you all an inspiring school year! 

🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 

¡Hola nueva año de escuela! ¡La Equipo de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles está deseando salir a los senderos! Vamos a comenzar las caminatas de otoño con los niños de TK aprendiendo sobre seres vivos y no vivos. Nuestros amigos de Kindergarten estarán explorando los hábitats de los animales. Los estudiantes de 5.º grado concluirán su experiencia de Aprendiendo Entre los Robles conectando todo lo que han aprendido sobre los bosques de robles dentro del contexto del Ciclo del Carbono. Nuestros amigos de 4.º grado conocerán algunos amigos deslizantes y aprenderán sobre las estructuras en la naturaleza. ¡Les deseamos a todos un año de clases llena de inspiración! 

@LandConservancySLO #LearningAmongtheOaks #AprendiendoEntreLosRobles #SLOCounty #OutdoorEducation #EnvironmentalEducationImage attachmentImage attachment
7 days ago

Our 2026 Bird Nest Box Project final fledgling counts are in! Learning Among the Oaks staff and volunteers monitored 29 nest boxes at three locations this season. All in all, five species made use of our boxes with 59 nestlings presumed fledged! This year saw an increase in activity at our new SLO Creek site as nesting-cavity birds discovered our human-made alternatives.

Interested in finding out more about this project and possibly monitoring with us next season? Fill out the “Newsletter Sign-up and Info Request” from our bio link or first comment. We welcome individual and family participants!

#LearningAmongtheOaks #bird #nest #volunteer #CommunityScience
... See MoreSee Less

Our 2026 Bird Nest Box Project final fledgling counts are in! Learning Among the Oaks staff and volunteers monitored 29 nest boxes at three locations this season. All in all, five species made use of our boxes with 59 nestlings presumed fledged! This year saw an increase in activity at our new SLO Creek site as nesting-cavity birds discovered our human-made alternatives. 

Interested in finding out more about this project and possibly monitoring with us next season? Fill out the “Newsletter Sign-up and Info Request” from our bio link or first comment. We welcome individual and family participants!

#LearningAmongtheOaks #bird #nest #volunteer #CommunityScienceImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
2 weeks ago

Hey, did you know that Learning Among the Oaks has a newsletter that goes out the first Friday of each month? You can check out this month’s Nature Notes and subscribe in our bio link. Newsletter subscribers, Oak Ambassador families, and The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County members get special invites and early event RSVP access. Thanks for being part of our community!

(And, in case you’re wondering, this image of a curious California scrub-jay on a mule deer was recently captured by our Wildlife Camera Project at Pismo Preserve.)

#LearningAmongtheOaks #EnvironmentalEducation #FamilyFriendly #newsletter #GetOutside
... See MoreSee Less

Hey, did you know that Learning Among the Oaks has a newsletter that goes out the first Friday of each month? You can check out this month’s Nature Notes and subscribe in our bio link. Newsletter subscribers, Oak Ambassador families, and The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County members get special invites and early event RSVP access. Thanks for being part of our community!

(And, in case you’re wondering, this image of a curious California scrub-jay on a mule deer was recently captured by our Wildlife Camera Project at Pismo Preserve.)

#LearningAmongtheOaks #EnvironmentalEducation #FamilyFriendly #newsletter #GetOutside

Support everything we do here at The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County with 2% Tuesdays through the end of the month! Every little bit helps us meet our goals of conserving land, educating kids, and connecting with the community. Thanks so much SLO Food Co-op!! ... See MoreSee Less

Support everything we do here at The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County with 2% Tuesdays through the end of the month! Every little bit helps us meet our goals of conserving land, educating kids, and connecting with the community. Thanks so much SLO Food Co-op!!Image attachmentImage attachment
4 weeks ago

Want to help out with our school hikes and other family-friendly nature activities? Our annual hike volunteer training is in a week!

Can’t make it? Or just seeing this message post-event? We’re happy to set up a makeup training session with you. Contact us at lato@lcslo.org with any questions.

#LearningAmongtheOaks #hike #volunteer #SLOCounty #OutdoorEducation
... See MoreSee Less

Want to help out with our school hikes and other family-friendly nature activities? Our annual hike volunteer training is in a week!

Can’t make it? Or just seeing this message post-event? We’re happy to set up a makeup training session with you. Contact us at lato@lcslo.org with any questions. 

#LearningAmongtheOaks #hike #volunteer #SLOCounty #OutdoorEducationImage attachment

Moth night was a blast! We were delighted to host three entomologists and a local botanist/photographer who generously shared their equipment and knowledge with the 35 lucky kids and family members who snagged spots to attend.

The diverse woodlands and lakeside ecosystems of our Santa Rita Ranch conservation property did not disappoint! We saw a whole variety of insects along with the moths we were seeking, including bats, the resident eagles, a bobcat, two species of owls, and many more.

We can’t wait to do it again next year as part of International Moth Week. More pictures, stats, and moth ids coming soon!
National Moth Week
Joel Hernandez
Marko
The Land Conservancy of SLO County
... See MoreSee Less

Moth night was a blast! We were delighted to host three entomologists and a local botanist/photographer who generously shared their equipment and knowledge with the 35 lucky kids and family members who snagged spots to attend. 

The diverse woodlands and lakeside ecosystems of our Santa Rita Ranch conservation property did not disappoint! We saw a whole variety of insects along with the moths we were seeking, including bats, the resident eagles, a bobcat, two species of owls, and many more.

We can’t wait to do it again next year as part of International Moth Week.  More pictures, stats, and moth ids coming soon! 
National Moth Week 
Joel Hernandez 
Marko 
The Land Conservancy of SLO CountyImage attachmentImage attachment+7Image 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