Students at the Hollister Dual Language Academy on Friday passed around California Condor skulls, eggs and feathers as they learned about the endangered birds' place in the environment and about the upcoming release at 10 a.m. Saturday of one or two birds at the Pinnacles National Monument.
"I learned they only eat dead animals, which is yucky, but that is what people do, too, so it is not too yucky," said 8-year-old Adrian Andrade, a second-grader at the Dual Language Academy.
Michelle Armijo, the Pinnacles education specialist ranger, called it an outreach to local youths "to show them they can make a difference."
"This helps them understand their personal connection with condors, and that this fascinating endangered species is right in their back yard."
Students not only learned about California Condors, but they also were introduced to a special project in which they'll participate along with students near a condor release station in Argentina.
"The feather project involves them making a paper feather, and then writing what they want for the earth or the condors," said second-grade teacher Deanna Cortez. "The feathers will be at the condor release, and some of the students will read theirs to everyone attending."
Cortez said having a ranger in the classroom gives her the chance to connect fiction to reality for her students.
"Our last story in language arts was about rangers, so this is an opportunity to connect a live visual to a book they enjoyed," she said, "and I know they connected with Ranger Armijo because all they talked about for the rest of the day was how they want to be rangers."
Armijo, the Pinnacles ranger, said that another positive aspect of the project is connecting the community with that of a sister park in Argentina.
"They have Andean Condors there, which are very similar to California condors," said Armijo, who adds that some of the Pinnacles education staff went to Argentina to learn from their biologists. "They are doing the feather project as well, and some of the Argentinian feathers will be read at our release Saturday ... It's a personal connection we all share that is demonstrated through these magnificent birds."
Anahi Curiel, one of the excited second-grade students, seems to have gotten the message.
"I like all animals," she said, "and I like learning about them because it makes me love them even more."
Armijo hopes that a lot of locals will come out Saturday to witness the release, noting that it's "right our their back yard and it is such a beautiful place, and such an interesting and exciting event."
There will be shuttles from 7:30-9:30 a.m. from the parking lot to the trailhead that leads to the viewing area. From there, it is a 1.5-mile hike to the release area. Release events and condor viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Up to two condors will be released, but according to the Pinnacles Web site, "this is a 'soft release," which means that the condors will only take flight if they choose to do so.
Visitors should bring food, water, hats, layered clothing and comfortable hiking shoes. Special assistance will be available for those with mobility impairments.
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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