Our Community

One of the many things that makes the Natural History & Sustainability Program at Merritt so special is our community, both on campus and within the greater Bay Area. We proudly partner with local environmental and food justice organizations to provide guidance, education, and internship opportunities.

Student clubs

The Garden Club

The Environmental Center Garden Club focuses on various projects around the EC garden, including restoring native planting outside of the fenceline. The club meets Fridays at 11. There will be a holiday break, details to come. Email leader Mateo Dominguez-Keenan if you’d like more information.
The Sustainability Club

Please join us for our next meeting on Friday, January 23, from 12:30-2:30. New projects are in the works, including a possible collaboration with the Indigenous Student Council on a campus garden, and some building projects. There is also discussion about tabling at local Farmers’ Markets. The January meeting with take place at the Environmental Center on campus. For more information, contact Justice at dani.thorner@gmail.com.
The Hiking Club

Please join us for our end of semester, winter solstice hike. We'll traverse thru a variety of ecosystems starting at Skyline Gate staging area. We'll begin on the East Ridge trail and take that all the way to Canyon where we will descend to Stream trail which we'll follow til the end for an ascent back up to Skyline Gate.
Length: 6.2-mile loop Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,528 ft.
There will be uneven terrain, some climbs and descents, sun exposure and maybe some mud. Come prepared with water and a packed lunch. Bathrooms are available at the start of the trail and once we reach Stream Trail. Water refills are also available on Stream Trail. Since this is a longer hike please arrive as early as possible so we can make it back by lunch.
Email the club leaders for more details or for carpooling info.

Local organizations and partners

We partner with many local organizations and businesses so our students can gain access to opportunities and make relationships through field trips, speaking engagements, volunteer opportunities, and/or internships. Some partners are also part of our NHS Advisory Board.

Planting Justice provides sustainable living-wage jobs, food access, and holistic programming for communities impacted by mass incarceration. They also have North America’s most biodiverse urban farm and organic nursery.

Learn more here
Fresh Approach is guided by the communities they serve, and in collaboration with other nonprofits, government agencies, and health systems, they are building resilient food and farming systems through healthy food access, nutrition education, urban agriculture, and community engagement.

Learn more here
The mission of the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) is to provide leadership in the county and region to enhance natural resources conservation, preserve wildlife and habitat, and improve rangeland and agricultural management through partnerships, education, outreach, resource services, and technical assistance to clients, and funding support.

Learn more here
ESA partners with clients and communities to drive sustainable, resilient, and equitable solutions that shape a better world.

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The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,330 miles of trails and 55 miles of shoreline. They manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education.

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Urban Tilth inspires, hires, and trains local residents to cultivate agriculture, feed our community, and restore relationships to land to build a more sustainable food system, within a just and healthier community.

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The Berkeley Food Network seeks to end hunger and poor nutrition by using innovative, community-centered solutions to build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system.

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UC Agriculture and Natural Resources connects the power of UC research in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development with local communities to improve the lives of all Californians.

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The Watershed Project's mission is to inspire San Francisco Bay Area communities to understand, appreciate, and protect our local watersheds.

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Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is working to build a full service community district focused on high academic achievement while serving the whole child, eliminating inequities, and providing each child with excellent teachers, every day.

Learn more here