“Let Them Love the Earth First”: A Map, A Mission, and the Future We are Shaping Together
“Let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.” – David Sobel
When you overlay a map of Orange County parkland with the locations of Title I schools, Crystal Cove Conservancy’s mission comes into sharp focus: to protect and preserve Crystal Cove State Park while providing transformative educational opportunities for the next generation of environmental stewards.
The yellow markers, denoting Title I schools, cluster faraway from most of the county’s parkland. These schools serve students from low-income communities with limited access to green space or the coast. These are the very students for whom Crystal Cove Conservancy’s K-12 educational programs are designed.
Crystal Cove State Park offers a rare and inspiring outdoor classroom in the heart of Orange County. Each year, thousands of K–12 students, many visiting the beach or a state park for the very first time, are welcomed into this living classroom free of charge. They hike trails, monitor tidepools, conduct conservation research, and connect with nature in ways that ignite both curiosity and care.
At Crystal Cove Conservancy, we see this map as more than just data. We see the gap between where students live and where nature lives, and we see our mission in the space in-between. The map reveals the students who need access to nature the most, and the lands we are called to protect.
When you support Crystal Cove Conservancy, you:
- Provide scholarships for students from underserved schools
- Fund hands-on environmental science that drives real conservation
- Inspire the next generation of environmental leaders
- Help restore historic cottages for affordable public stays and educational opportunities
Together, we can ensure that Crystal Cove remains protected, inclusive, and alive with learning. Let’s ensure every student has the chance to learn science by doing it right here at Crystal Cove, where the natural world becomes their classroom.
Explore the Data:
- Parkland data: https://arcg.is/GCS98
- Title 1 Data: https://www.orangeusd.org/departments/educational-services/special-programs-accountability/programs/title-i
Teresa Morris, Crystal Cove Conservancy
Become a member today: https://crystalcove.org/membership/