Trip Synopsis :
The Vicki Penziner-Matson Fund supported this year's (2017) Spring Break, natural history field expedition to the central peninsula of Florida. Wendy Tori, Jose I. Pareja, and John Iverson led the trip. Wendy’s and John’s knowledge of and enthusiasm about the Natural History of the area was contagious! “Reptiling” and birding experiences were amazing! Jose’s group dynamic leadership was an added bonus.
The group explored ...
- Hart Springs County Park
- Kelly Park
- Wekiwa Park
- Canaveral National Seashore/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Blue Springs State Park
- Ocala National Forest
- Manatee Springs State Park
A more detailed account of the experience can be found here.
Participant's Testimonial
"As a Fourth Year Human Development and Social Relations (HDSR) major and Outdoor Education Designation student, I feel so fortunate and honored to participate on this natural history trip to Florida, sponsored by the Vicki Penziner-Matson fund because this experiential based program successfully created a new space for community, inquiry, and learning, which was sincerely impactful and transformative for each of us. I embarrassingly admit, as a two time August Wilderness leader, I had my hesitations and could not have predicted the depths of the impact.
"I was reminded, yet again, how shared experiences have the sheer power to spark curiosity, self reflection, learning and teaching among students from various academic, cultural and social backgrounds. I must tip my hat and show gratitude especially to Wendy, Jose, Sheila and John for collectively setting the tone of the trip. They were able to balance a structured and directed program with a spontaneous and relaxed 9 days of Spring break. This trip opened my eyes to a new breed, if you will, of Outdoor Education that I will continue to reflect on and be influenced by as an environmental educator and life-long learner." — Lily Fishleder '17, HDSR major, New York, New York.