"That was the best day of my life" --Cannon Koester, Nature Awareness Student

The Riekes Center Nature Awareness Department provides quality nature immersion opportunities that promote fun, adventure, and life-long learning. We strive to build strong affinities between people and the natural world.

The Nature Awareness collection of programs offers both one-time and on-going opportunities. We provide participants with the opportunity to explore an interest or pursue a passion within the various areas of wilderness living, outdoor study, and recreation. Whether you want to backpack in the desert of Death Valley, surf the Pacific Ocean, study the natural history of California, track weasels along a river bank, make fire by rubbing two sticks together, teach your classroom more about their school's "back yard" or enrich your personal nature hikes, we have the program for you.