In honor of beloved environmental educator Zeva Longley, Rainbow Sandals Foundation partners with WildCare to bring families into the beauty of nature.
Families who participated this summer in Zeva Longley Family Adventures gathered on September 27 for a fun-filled end of summer picnic at Crissy Field in San Francisco.
Below is a synopsis of the day written by Carly, WildCare’s Bilingual Nature Educator:
It was a classic San Francisco day—the cool, salty breeze kept the fog at bay. We enjoyed sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, swirling fog, and the greenery of the surrounding park.
After a quick snack, we passed out binoculars and a bingo game featuring local plants and birds. As soon as the cards were in hand, the kids were on the hunt, scanning the landscape for any trace of a feathered friend.
We made our way down to the marsh, stopping to take photos and admire plants along the trail. At the water’s edge, the kids were completely absorbed in searching for crabs. Along the way, we talked about the Ohlone peoples, their culture, and their deep relationship with the land. Wildlife sightings included Great and Snowy Egrets hunting, Greater Yellowlegs, Cormorants, gulls, and curlews. Adults got just as competitive with the bingo game as the kids!
For lunch, we gathered together to share elote, each person describing their own favorite way of layering and savoring it. Afterward, I painted faces, and then we headed down to the park and field station.
At the field station, we took a tour and spent time exploring and interacting with the exhibits. Later, at the playground, the kids ran wild with joy, their laughter and shouts mixing with those of their parents.
It was a truly wonderful day! Thank you Rainbow Sandals Foundation for supporting another fantastic season of hikes and scholarships for our Wildlife Camps! We can’t thank you enough!