While many students from their school were away for spring break, a class of Chico State students chose to team up with SF State students to practice caring for national parks.

In an unprecedented move, SF State's Recreation/Environmental Studies 640 (titled "recreational use of national parks and protected areas") class joined forces with a service learning class from Chico State for "State at the Gate " on March 15, spending a full day in different areas of San Francisco that are under the care of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, such as Fort Miley, Crissy Field and Fort Point.

The collaboration was part of Chico State's "alternative" spring break and doubled as a class project for the SF State students, worth 15 percent of their grade. It aimed to give students a more practical view of environmental issues they were learning in class.

"We want to educate students about balancing the recreational use of national parks with preservation," said SF State professor and REC 640 class instructor Nina Roberts.
Roberts herself introduced the class into the department curriculum; it is being offered for the first time this spring semester upon the suggestion of students who were interested in combining recreation with environmental studies.

"We're growing outdoor recreational curriculum in our department, which students have expressed interest in," Roberts said.

This involved exposure to urban environmental concerns involved visits to different parks in the city. At the Presidio Officer's Club, SF State and Chico State students met ranger Rick Penn, who spoke on the history of the area and discussed future plans for the environment in the Presidio.

Members of the REC 640 class also gave a presentation on local Bay Area programs that address urban environmental concerns.

The professor commented that the collaboration with Chico State was "extremely successful." "Everything went as planned, and the students got a lot out of it," she added. "This is extraordinary considering it was the first time."

Students from the class spent about a month and a half preparing for the event, dividing roles and responsibilities among themselves. Amber Nagel, one of the REC 640 students, was in charge of publicity for the event and said she was very pleased with how it went.

"It was really beneficial for students from both universities," she said, adding that she particularly liked how the day started with team-building activities led by students Cristal Campbell and Nikkie Alch. "The icebreakers were right up our alley as recreation majors."

Valerie Cizek, a child and adolescent development major enrolled in REC 640, said she enjoyed experiencing an application of what she is learning in the class, which covers conservation and preservation of the natural environment, biodiversity, and land management, among other topics.

"I'm really enjoying all the new information," she said. "It's something I'm really interested in."

Feedback from Chico State was equally positive.

"The planning created a well-organized and implemented program that ran smoothly," said Chico State professor Emilyn Sheffield. "We learned a lot, got to know some new folks at a sister campus, and hopefully started a new tradition."

Students from Chico State felt it was a worthwhile way of spending their spring break.

"Our time with SF State felt like one big play day," said Chico State student Cesar Garcia. "It was like a choir working in unison with one common goal."