Good afternoon, everyone! Imagine this: crayfish traps, butterflies, and… solar panels? You’re probably wondering how they all connect, right? Well, stick with me, because today we’re diving into a world where crayfish traps can change the world. My name is Dacia Jones, and by the end of this talk, I hope you’ll be as inspired as I am by how students, through nature-based learning, are solving real-world problems. But first, I want to share a little about my own story.

As a kid, I wasn’t into the usual pets—dogs or cats. Nope, I was all about caterpillars, woolly worms, and sunflowers. If it wriggled, bloomed, or crawled, I was there for it! My family and I spent weekends camping, where I chased salamanders, caught butterflies, and peeked out of the camper window hoping to catch black bears or raccoons. These early experiences shaped my love for nature and laid the foundation for how I would approach the world today.

Fast forward a few decades, and I found myself spending 20 years in education, teaching, leading, and inspiring students and teachers. My husband, Steve, worked in parks and recreation, and we were both making a difference in our own ways—me in the classroom and him in the parks. But in 2016, we decided to take a leap of faith, quit our jobs, and combine our passions. That leap was as exciting as it was terrifying—kind of like the time I tried to catch a frog with bare hands as a kid. Spoiler: it didn’t go well.

Now, working with your spouse 24/7 sounds... interesting, right? But for us, it was the perfect match. Steve and I teamed up, using our strengths to create a bigger impact, and that’s how our new life was formed.

In 2020, smack in the middle of a global pandemic, we officially launched our nonprofit. The idea was simple: connect students to nature through national parks. But the goal? It was so much bigger than just learning about nature. We wanted to help students engage with their surroundings, not just in a passive way but as problem-solvers and change-makers.

So, what does that look like? Well, we hit the road. Literally. Steve and I travel to national parks across the country, filming interviews with rangers, scientists, and interns. We create content—videos, engineering challenges, lesson plans—and share it with students nationwide. Our work is a blend of boots-on-the-ground exploration and virtual connections, bringing parks and their unique stories into classrooms everywhere. As Mary Oliver beautifully put it, "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." That’s what we do—help students pay attention to the world, be astonished by it, and then tell their own stories of change.

Now, while Steve and I are the only staff at our nonprofit, we don’t do it alone. We have an amazing team of volunteers, educators, board members, and hundreds of national park rangers who help us keep this movement going. Together, we’re changing the world one student, one teacher, and one national park at a time.

Now to the stories: One of the most heartwarming stories involves a young girl with Down syndrome who virtually visited Crater Lake National Park. She learned about invasive signal crayfish threatening the endemic newts and immediately wanted to help. But instead of just watching from the sidelines, she designed a humane trap for the crayfish—and included a photo of herself inside to keep them company. In her words, "No one should ever feel lonely, not even crayfish." And that’s what happens when students connect with nature—they don’t just solve problems; they lead with compassion and creativity.

The stories don’t stop there. In Tennessee, students watched in awe as we streamed from Big Cypress National Preserve. Inspired by the beauty and mission of the park, they began brainstorming ways to design accessible trails for individuals with mobile challenges. From underwater tunnels to ziplines, their ideas were creative, bold, and inclusive.

Then there were the students who watched our Mammoth Cave National Park Expedition Challenge. Ranger Jennifer encouraged them to look into the water quality of the Green River, which sparked a broader investigation into the health of all the rivers around their community. These students realized that keeping water clean is something they could have a hand in—right in their own backyard.

At Olympic National Park, students were captivated by the history of the Elwha Dam removal and how it helped restore ecosystems and revive the cultural traditions of the Lower Skallam Tribe. These students learned that environmental restoration is about more than just nature—it’s about preserving heritage and community.

Meanwhile, students from San Antonio Missions National Historical Park tackled the problem of erosion, threatening historic trails. They designed new trail systems that both preserved the landscape and protected its cultural significance. Thanks to their solutions, future generations can continue to walk those same paths and experience history firsthand.

It’s not just environmental issues we’re solving, though. In Denver, students were inspired by Maggie Walker’s legacy of lifting others up and created the Lift ‘Em Up campaign to tackle bullying in their schools. They designed t-shirts, posters, and even a "kindness bench," where students could sit for encouragement. They’re using history to shape a kinder future.

And then there are the students who took on Global Goal 16: Social Justice after visiting the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Garden. They learned about mental health and the importance of caring for one another. Inspired by this, they dove into Global Goal 7: Clean Energy, brainstorming how to provide solar power to low-income communities, taking their cues from former President Jimmy Carter’s solar initiatives.

They even virtually traveled with us to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to learn about the endangered Nēnē bird. But they didn’t stop there—they started looking into the endangered species in their own communities, asking, “What can we do to help right here at home?” And the stories continue…do we have more time?

At Expeditions in Education, we’re honored to work with over 1.4 million students each year, connecting them to nature through national parks. They participate in virtual field trips, tackle engineering design challenges, and collaborate with park rangers to solve real-world problems. Whether it’s designing accessible trails, creating water quality solutions, or addressing invasive species, these students aren’t just learning—they’re doing.

But it’s not just the students. We’re also empowering educators. Every summer, we host STEAM in the PARK camps for teachers at 12 national parks over 12 weeks. These camps give educators a chance to reconnect with nature, reliving childhood camping trips or discovering the wilderness for the first time. We see educators rekindle their own sense of wonder—and they bring that spark back to their classrooms.

And the science backs it up. Research from folks like Dr. David Strayer at the University of Utah shows that spending time in nature can restore mental fatigue, improve problem-solving, and boost creativity. Other researchers like Dr. Ming Kuo from the University of Illinois have shown that nature improves physical health, from lowering blood pressure to enhancing immune function.

One concept we particularly love is the role of awe in nature. Dr. Kimberly Ideus, who attended one of our STEAM camps while a doctoral student, wrote her dissertation on the "Wonder of Awe." She found that awe, often experienced in nature, enhances well-being and self-efficacy. Imagine taking that sense of awe and bringing it into the classroom—transforming not just teaching, but learning.

What’s most rewarding for me is seeing the moment when a student realizes they can make a difference. It’s that “aha” moment when their eyes light up, and they suddenly understand that their actions and ideas have real power. Wendell Berry once said, "The Earth is what we all have in common." And I believe that when we empower students to engage with the Earth—to solve problems and connect with nature—they rise to the occasion. They become the changemakers, the stewards, and the leaders our world so desperately needs.

So, I encourage you: help us change the world. Invite your students, friends, and communities to step outside, listen, look, touch, and experience the beauty of the natural world. Because if a crayfish trap can change the world, imagine what we can do when we all work together.

Thank you—and may you all find your own woolly worms, whatever form they take.

The Great Lakes are often referred to as one of Earth's most precious ecosystems. Spanning five vast freshwater lakes, they contain 84% of North America's surface freshwater and offer an intricate web of life that supports not only wildlife but also the millions of people who rely on these waters. In our upcoming 19-day adventure, known as the Great Lakes Odyssey, we will visit several national park sites that are pivotal to the health of these lakes. As we travel to each park, we will collaborate with rangers, scientists, and local community groups to introduce students across the country to the rich ecosystems of the Great Lakes and the incredible stories of these places and their people.

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial (PEVI)
Our first stop is Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. While most people associate this site with the War of 1812, its role in our environmental history is just as significant. Lake Erie, once plagued by severe pollution, is now the focus of massive restoration efforts. From harmful algal blooms (HABs) to invasive species, this park serves as a real-world classroom for students and scientists alike. We’re excited to film water quality testing with high school students, showcasing how citizen science contributes to the health of this critical waterway.

Indiana Dunes National Park (INDU)
The second stop on our journey is Indiana Dunes National Park, a place where the natural beauty of sand dunes meets the challenges of industrial encroachment. The Great Marsh Trail will be our classroom as we film with students learning about ecosystem services and how the park restores native species in the face of pollution and invasive plants. Indiana Dunes highlights the delicate balance between conservation and human impact, reminding us of our responsibility to protect our natural resources.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PIRO)
Next, we’ll venture to the rugged shores of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where Lake Superior’s powerful waves have sculpted some of the most stunning landscapes in the region. Pictured Rocks is also an essential part of freshwater biodiversity, serving as a habitat for a wide array of species. Students will explore the science behind erosion, water quality, and wilderness restoration. The wild beauty of this park reminds us why wilderness matters—and why we must be vigilant stewards of these environments.

Keweenaw National Historical Park (KEWE)
Keweenaw National Historical Park offers a unique blend of human history and ecological preservation. This site preserves the story of the copper mining boom, but it also asks important questions about how past human activities have shaped the land. We’ll guide students through lessons about stamp sands and their impact on water quality and fish populations, with an engineering challenge that encourages them to think creatively about solutions. This park shows how history, science, and environmental stewardship are intertwined.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SLBE)
On the shores of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes offers another lens into the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The quagga mussel, an invasive species, has led to a chain reaction in the lake's ecosystem, resulting in avian botulism outbreaks that threaten bird populations. During our time at Sleeping Bear Dunes, we’ll focus on educating students about the impacts of invasive species and the power of community science in addressing these challenges. We’ll explore the importance of stewardship and invite students to become part of the solution.

Voyageurs National Park (VOYA)
Finally, we’ll end our adventure at Voyageurs National Park, where water is the central theme. This park offers a pristine example of interior lakes that remain untouched by pollution, yet still face challenges from climate change and species monitoring. Our students will learn about fish surveys and the importance of maintaining water quality through innovative testing techniques. By exploring these lakes with scientists, we’ll discover how essential it is to safeguard our aquatic ecosystems for future generations.

The Great Lakes Odyssey: A Call to Action
As we embark on this 19-day Great Lakes Odyssey, we are excited to not only visit these breathtaking parks but also to work closely with park rangers, scientists, and local community groups who are dedicating their lives to protecting these fragile ecosystems. Through live streams, educational content, and hands-on activities, we will bring these parks into classrooms across the nation. Together, we will inspire students to appreciate the interconnectedness of the natural world and empower them to become active participants in preserving it.

The Great Lakes are not just a regional treasure—they are a global resource. We are thrilled to introduce students around the country to their importance, helping them understand that each of us has a role to play in ensuring their health and longevity for generations to come.

Stay tuned as we dive deep into the waters, explore the land, and share the stories of the people and places that make the Great Lakes such an extraordinary part of our planet. This is more than just a journey—it’s a mission to inspire the next generation of stewards for one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.