Every Tuesday afternoon, a group of middle school students in Bremerton trade classrooms for the outdoors, immersing themselves in hands-on environmental learning.

They are part of Osprey Club, an afterschool program launched by Great Peninsula Conservancy in efforts to cultivate long-term connections between students and nature.

Hosted at Mountain View Middle School in partnership with Catalyst Public School, Osprey Club builds upon GPC’s Land Labs program, which has introduced thousands of local students to environmental stewardship since 2020. While Land Labs provides annual field trips to GPC preserves, Osprey Club takes environmental education a step further—offering weekly outdoor experiences focused on native plant cultivation, birding, tree identification and nature art.

“Since it is a club, it’s a choice for students to come out and spend their Tuesdays after school with us,” said Ashlyn McGarrah, a conservation education fellow with GPC. “So we’ve been working really hard at making our lessons fun and enjoyable while still getting important information across.”

McGarrah, who has a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on environmental education, started with GPC as a stewardship VISTA before transitioning into her current role. She collaborates with Mercedes Garcia, an AmeriCorps VISTA with a background in marine biology, to develop lesson plans and lead sessions. Together, they tailor activities to accommodate the diverse group of students who attend each week.

“We have students come from two different schools that differ in structures,” Garcia said. “There can be a challenge with how to allow the two groups to come together in one space. Some are shy when first coming, and others are full of energy. I think giving a range of activities to accommodate both groups has been a learning curve.”

Gabriel Newton, community engagement manager at GPC, said: “The goal is to foster an ongoing relationship between students and the environment, allowing them to identify as land stewards. We didn’t want this to be just another class. This is a club—student-driven, interactive and built around their passions.”

Before joining GPC, Newton worked as a wildlife biologist, a zookeeper and an education director for the Kitsap Audubon Society. He also spent 16 years as a middle school science teacher, where he developed outdoor education programs similar to Osprey Club. His passion for conservation education is evident in the way he connects with students, earning him the nickname “The Birdman” among club members.

The club was inspired by Lisa Gordon, a Mountain View teacher who ran an outdoor leadership elective. Recognizing that many students developed an interest in conservation but had no way to continue learning after the semester ended, GPC worked with the school to create a lasting opportunity.

Osprey Club is free, open to all students and operates on a drop-in basis, requiring only parental permission. While some students attend weekly, others participate between sports seasons or extracurricular commitments. Additionally, GPC ensures that every student has the gear to participate.

“If there’s any need for equipment, GPC will loan it,” said Samantha Hale, communications manager at GPC. “We have boxes and boxes of boots, binoculars, jackets—everything they might need to be comfortable outdoors. Students never have to buy into anything.”

Since its launch, students have engaged in field trips to Grovers Creek Preserve and Illahee State Park, removed invasive species of plant, built habitat piles, and explored topics such as climate-resilient forests and birding. Newton often leads activities—including dissecting salmon to teach anatomy and guiding students through bird identification walks.

One of McGarrah’s favorite moments came during a mushroom and fungus lesson. Students used field guides to identify different species, and later, a student excitedly recognized a mushroom he had learned about during a field trip. “He ran up to me and said, ‘I found it! The Shrimp Russula!’” McGarrah recalled. “It was super cool to see that what we are teaching the students…about the environment… is really sticking, and that they are passionate about the outdoors.”

Garcia had a similar experience when introducing students to invasive species removal. “They got to see them firsthand in the outdoor classroom and how to remove them with tools from the stewardship team,” she said. When the group later visited a preserve with larger infestations, the students tackled the challenge. “It was hard to pull them away. They allowed themselves to fully get pulled into the space to see the before and after of their work.”

Each meeting balances education with fun. “We’re playing games, learning new skills and making conservation second nature,” Newton said. “Students might start with little outdoor experience, but by the end, they’re confident in their ability to engage with nature.”

The club’s name carries a deeper meaning, inspired by Newton’s background in wildlife rehabilitation. During his time working with birds of prey at Washington State University, he observed that while many raptors adapted well to captivity, ospreys did not. They refused to eat, struggled to recover from injuries, and often failed to survive in enclosures.

“Ospreys are the best representation of the wild,” Newton said. “They refuse to be contained, and they thrive when they’re free. That’s exactly what we want for these students—to build confidence and curiosity in the outdoors, without barriers.”

The club’s influence is already evident. Students have “adopted” two natural areas near their school, hosting work parties to remove invasive plants and plant native species. They even designed their own Osprey Club T-shirts that they wear around school. “There’s a real sense of mentorship among the students,” Hale said. “Older students naturally guide younger ones, passing down knowledge and skills. It’s creating a lasting culture of environmental stewardship.”

GPC hopes to expand the program over time, with high school students eventually returning as mentors and volunteers. Long-term plans include bringing Osprey Club to other communities across the peninsula. “This is about more than just learning,” Newton said. “We’re developing the next generation of conservationists—kids who don’t just visit nature but see themselves as a part of it.”

Chopsticks were used to point to the different parts of the anatomy.