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Nature isn’t accessible to all 

Tomales Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, Duxbury Reef: these are jewels of marine ecosystem diversity along the coastline of West Marin. For local youth, these places are just a short car ride away. Yet not all young people in West Marin grow up with formative outdoor experiences — like camping within earshot of the ocean waves, finding a rough-skinned newt in a canyon stream, or being wowed by an octopus in a tidepool at low tide.  

All Hands Ecology and West Marin schools are working to close this gap in outdoor access through a project we call “Hugging the Shoreline,” funded through the California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAIL® Grant. 

Wealth disparities limit outdoor access 

Ashley Dumbra, third grade teacher at West Marin-Inverness School, has been teaching for over 15 years, helping kids connect with the natural world whenever possible. She has seen firsthand the wealth disparity in West Marin, impacting outdoor access among her students 

“A portion of our kids have a lot of access and their families prioritize that,” noted Dumbra. “Another portion of our kids have parents that are busy working and/or don’t have the comfort or the income or the knowledge of some of these places that we go to.” 

Climbing costs, shrinking funding 

For Dumbra and her fellow teachers, field trips are challenging.  

“Public schools in general and our district in particular, the field trip funding is shrinking every single year,” said Dumbra. “And the cost of transportation is climbing every year, which means that field trips are less and less viable these days.” 

Despite these challenges, Dumbra asserts the importance of getting her class into nature for hands-on learning.  

“Whether we’re studying an ecosystem, a creature, or a tree,” Dumbra shared. “Seeing it in place and experiencing it, asking lots of questions, and then working in the classroom would be ideal, but we don’t have the funding for that.” 

Dumbra’s class can walk to nearby Giacomini Wetlands without the need for a bus. But, as Dumbra points out, this is only one type of ecosystem.  

Working with All Hands Ecology’s education team through the Hugging the Shoreline project, provides high-quality education and access to a wealth of biologically rich places.  

“I want to be a marine biologist” 

Over the past year, Dumbra’s third grade class took three field trips to All Hands Ecology preserves and local outdoor spaces. The most popular field trip among these, according to Dumbra, was an overnight stay in the cabins at Volunteer Canyon at Martin Griffin Preserve. For many of the students, it was their first time staying away from home.  

Dumbra shared that the early morning tidepool adventure to Duxbury Reef in Bolinas was unforgettable for the students.  Dumbra watched the kids light up with excitement, as All Hands Ecology staff helped the kids make colorful discoveries in the pools, such as identifying sea stars and seeing an octopus slink through the water. After the trip, Dumbra heard students echo the desire to become marine biologists.   

As Dumbra shared, “The field trip supported and sparked the kids’ curiosity, as well as their view into the world of science careers.” 

Camping and getting to know your classmates 

Seventeen miles north of West Marin-Inverness School, Allison Sherman teaches AP Environmental Science and Marine Science and Human Physiology at Tomales High School. In May, she took 14 of her students camping at Salt Point State Park guided by All Hands Ecology education staff. 

“They were able to really relax and appreciate the stunning beauty of the park, particularly the cliffs at Gerstle Cove,” Sherman said. 

Though the students were from Sherman’s human physiology class, she made sure to prepare them prior to departure with natural and cultural history of Salt Point and reading research on the ecological benefits of Marine Protected Areas for sustainable fisheries.  

The students explored Gerstle Cove in the park, making discoveries in the waters at low tide. 

“Many of these students weren’t going to formally learn any coastal ecology curriculum,” Sherman shared. “But were able to get close to the actual ecosystem in the field and experience that awe of the strange and incredible diversity.” 

One student shared, “My favorite moments were seeing starfish and being able to touch them, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.” 

Long term impacts 

Sherman surveyed her students after the trip, showing a burgeoning interest in marine ecosystems and conservation. A large majority of the students also felt more connected to the California coastline and expressed the desire to camp again.  

Field trips are vital 

The Hugging the Shoreline project continues through April 2026. For teachers like Ashley Dumbra and Allison Sherman, who live and work in a hot spot for biological diversity, field trips are essential. 

“Field trips are so vital, and we live in a place where we can’t afford not to take them given our surroundings,” Dumbra said. “It’s vital to help kids integrate with their learning in the classroom and see physical representations of whatever it is they’re studying — an ecosystem in action, see an individual creature, you know, living.” 

These field trips were made possible by the California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAIL® Grants Program.  The camping gear for the Tomales High School camping trip was loaned by REI.

Help us activate and inspire youth 

Closing the opportunity gap for students who face barriers in accessing the outdoors requires ongoing support. Join us in inspiring young people’s interest in conservation, science careers, and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world. Become a member today!