From Crayfish Traps to Changing the World: How Students Are Solving Big Problems Through Nature-Based Learning

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.