Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

This activity lesson aims to introduce 4-6^th grade students to the forms and functions of lichen and the concept of symbiosis. The lesson was designed for Kids in Nature visits to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, but may be adapted to any outdoor setting or to the classroom. Students are engaged hands-on exploring the characteristics and diversity of lichen at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The Kids in Nature (KIN) Environmental Education Program promotes the aspirations and achievements of students in underserved schools in Santa Barbara and Goleta, California by providing quality environmental science education and experiences through place-based field trips, mentored by UCSB students in the Nature and Science Education Practicum, utilizing hands-on activities to bring K-12 students outdoors and to UCSB. The Kids in Nature program is supported by the UCSB Coastal Fund, UCSB Office of Education Partnerships Faculty Outreach Grants (FOG) Program and the Mosher Foundation.