In early November, twelve students from both the AP Environmental Science and Environmental History class embarked on an adventure to the Salton Sea. The Environmental History class, taught by Tyson Luneau, is new to Ojai Valley School this year and has already begun to explore the environment and connect it to their in-class material.
“Teaching a brand new course in Environmental History has been among my greatest joys this semester at OVS,” said Mr. Luneau.
The students began to learn about the Salton Sea, a site which has much historical value and is an area of complete environmental disaster, in the first semester.
“We spent two weeks studying the rise and fall of the Salton Sea before embarking on a three-day journey to the region,” said Mr. Luneau.
The Salton Sea was formed in 1905 in California’s Imperial Valley as a result of the Colorado river flooding into the valley. This area drew a lot of attention and became a tourist attraction.
Over time, the waters evaporated and the Salton Sea became saltier, becoming an ecological disaster.
“I thought it was really exciting to see what we had learned in class in real life,” said Scout Mortenson, a junior at Ojai Valley School and a student in Mr. Luneau’s Environmental History class.
Visiting this beautiful location with an underlying disaster was a great way for the students in both classes to bond with one another and learn about the sea itself.
“For me, the most interesting part about visiting the Salton Sea was looking at all the art exhibits,” said Annie Heinemann, a senior at Ojai Valley School, referring to the sculptures located on the beach,“I also found seeing the level of abandonment around the sea interesting.”
For these students, the trip gave much insight into how the environment can become a victim of ecological destruction.
“While the Salton Sea was certainly unlike most of the other destinations in our Outdoor Education program,” said Mr. Luneau, “it was undoubtedly a meaningful experience and I look forward to building upon this trip and others in the continuation of the Land & Climate initiative.”