I've been dedicating myself to Kestrel for 18 years, because I believe in giving every child what I wish I had growing up. I believe every child should learn science as a process of making discoveries, of understanding the world around us. I grew up with an innate sense of attachment to wildlife, but with no mentors to teach me to be a natural scientist, and not many opportunities to explore the natural world. I, like most of my students when I first met them, though science was leaning a bunch of facts and labeling diagrams. As a young adult, I found amazing mentors who, as they were teaching me about nature and scientific inquiry, also developed my sense of understanding of the interconnected systems all around us. I, along with the Kestrel team, advocate for all we're worth to have immersion in the natural world, and a rigorous process of inquiry, be core parts of the science curriculum in every public school. For our own well being, and for the future of every living thing.
Spring 2020 Bio-Thon Fundraiser for
Kestrel Educational Adventures
Saturday, June 6th Near your own homes, on your own timeline
Announcing The Bio-Thon: A life-affirming, joyful way to help raise funds to sustain Kestrel’s programming. The Bio-thon Challenge on June 6th will be a day of nature, of science, and of adventure. We challenge you to go and observe and/or identify every living thing you can possibly find on the day of the Bio-thon.
All the money you raise goes to support Kestrel’s programs.
It’s a hard time for all of us right now. Nature connection is more essential than ever. It provides us a sense of connection to all of life, a reminder that there is a still a wild, complex, comforting natural world out there, and that we belong to that natural world. Kestrel instructors will continue to provide programming and science and nature mentoring from a distance as best as we can.
Most of Kestrel's paid programming has been completely cancelled for at least the next several months. In order for us to be able to ride out the storm and be able to open again when it is safe to do so, we need your help and support.
How does it work?
It’s 4 simple steps:
- Set up a profile here on our Fundrazr page
- Find supporters - family, friends, and neighbors who make a pledge to support your participation by donating to Kestrel
- Bio-thon! You go to any outdoor place you can safely explore; your yard, neighborhood, or a local park. You can even do the Bio-thon while staying inside, by looking out your window. Find as many kinds of plants and animals as you possibly can within a 24 hour period, and document them by photographing them, or drawing them, or writing your descriptions. Note where everything was found and what it was doing.
- Post your species list, photos, descriptions, or whatever you have gathered, as 'updates' on your campaign page - We will show you how!
- W e will recognize and highlight some of your finds on our Facebook page and newsletter.
That’s all!
What Does Kestrel Do?
Kestrel Educational Adventures brings biological sciences to life by bringing children into the wild places near their homes and schools and exploring with them how these ecosystems and organisms are remarkable, exciting, and mysterious. Since 2003, Kestrel has made a lasting impact by giving students delightful and memorable experiences in wild places that they and their families can easily revisit. We teach children that they should wander, explore, touch, imagine, and live in the natural world. We all belong in nature.
Because we believe access to the natural world ought to be a basic human right, we work hard to conduct fundraising campaigns and solicit grants to keep our prices affordable for everyone. Your support will allow more children to connect more deeply to the natural world, and develop the critical thinking skills and understanding that will be essential to their future.
Is Kestrel Still Operating During the Pandemic?
Yes! From a distance. Instructors are working from their homes, offering live Zoom classes, distance learning resources, direct support to our partner schools' online learning programs, and one on one naturalist support for families.
