SLEWS Program

Hands-in-the-dirt experiences bring science to life.

The Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship Program encourages high-school students to dig into habitat restoration through real projects on farms, ranches and open spaces. Hands-in-the-dirt experiences bring science to life and stimulate environmental stewardship by connecting youth to real, tangible solutions for big problems like climate change and habitat loss.

Through multi-phased fieldwork and associated in-class lessons, students build knowledge, perspective and personal connection to the land. Each 30-student cohort is matched with a regional restoration project and participates in ecological field studies where youth discover careers and college opportunities in natural resource management and environmental science.

Students see the lasting impact of their work over multiple visits to their adopted project. These integrated learning experiences combine team building, science learning, habitat restoration and reflection activities with outdoor exploration. Since 2001, we have served more than 8,500 students during more than 1,000 field days and planted nearly a half million native trees, shrubs, and grasses.