Duke Forest

In the weeks leading up to Earth Day, the Duke Forest came alive with curiosity and discovery as more than 300 local students stepped into the world of environmental exploration. From creekside adventures during Forest View Elementary’s Week at the Creek to hands-on hikes along the Shepherd Nature Trail, young learners immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, and science of the natural world. Students journaled, tracked wildlife, surveyed reptiles and amphibians, and even contributed to real community science initiatives like Caterpillars Count.

In classrooms, they discovered how pollinators quietly power our ecosystems and what it means to care for them. These experiences deepened students’ understanding of their own backyards and planted the seeds for a lifelong commitment to stewardship, growing the next generation of environmental champions right here in Durham.