The Cove as a Classroom
Like the steady rhythm of the tides shaping our shoreline, our education programs continue to grow—expanding their reach and deepening their impact across our community.
During the 2024–2025 school year, we welcomed 6,617 students to the park through field trips. In the year ahead, we are projected to reach 9,307 student visits across the park and partner sites—a 41% increase in young minds connecting with nature (not including summer camps or internships). This remarkable growth is mirrored in our field trip offerings: from 142 trips last year to an estimated 206 this year—and we are still recruiting—a 45% increase in opportunities for students to learn in the living classroom of the Cove.
Fueling this momentum is the expansion and evolution of our programming. New initiatives like MPA 2, Land to Sea (in partnership with Laguna Ocean Foundation, Laguna Canyon Foundation, and El Sol Academy), and Junior Coastal Dynamics are opening new pathways for hands-on learning. At the same time, a revitalized Coastal Dynamics program and growing awareness of Project Crystal and Project Crystal Code are drawing more schools and students into our educational ecosystem—growing a new generation inspired to explore, understand, and care for our coast.