For a number of years, the Mendocino Land Trust has benefited from the help of Fort Bragg Unifiedโs Anchor Academy. The Anchor Academy is an alternative school within Fort Bragg High School where service learning provides a viable alternative to the traditional classroom setting. Anchor Academy has partnered with Mendocino Land Trust since 2015, connecting students with the land and their community through stewardship.
During early months of the pandemic, volunteer activities were on hold. In fall 2021, Anchor Academy resumed volunteering with MLT. Twice a month, a dozen Anchor Academy students assist Ed Welter, MLTโs Conservation Project Coordinator, with trail work and invasive plant removal. Students prune vegetation back from trails, repair boardwalk sections, and do other tasks to improve the condition of MLT trails and preserves.
Teacher Tim Anderson explains why Anchor Academy exists: โThis is a great program for students who benefit from breaking up the school day with activities that donโt involve sitting in a classroom.โ