By Kyleigh Sacco, Education Specialist

At the edge of the parking lot at Sweetwater Wetlands, there’s this massive mesquite tree with gnarled branches that seems to say “Welcome”. I notice this iconic tree every time I visit the Wetlands, but it took on new meaning when I visited with the Young Naturalists in November 2025. Led by myself and Angela Loya-Stoebe, the Young Naturalists program is designed for middle schoolers with a love of nature who are interested in building familiarity and skills with the outdoors. Throughout our day at Sweetwater Wetlands, I witnessed that evolution. As we returned to the safe halo of the mesquite branches over and over, our participants became increasingly comfortable. As I was sitting with my co-leader at lunch, Young Naturalists scattered in and around the tree, I realized how bittersweet the end would be; I was so proud of the progress that I had watched as these kids experienced growth throughout the whole program.And when I saw “The Friend Tree”, an art piece made by one of our participants, Mollie, I knew that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

“The Friend Tree is where we all hung out, laughed, and had fun together. It will be sad knowing you may not see your friends again, but if you look back at the friend tree, you’ll remember all the fun times you had together.”- Mollie

The Young Naturalists program met every other Saturday throughout the fall semester. After having spent so much time together it was hard to part ways. However, “The Friend Tree” reminds me that growth happens in goodbyes. We helped participants gain skills in exploring the natural world, and now it’s up to them to utilize those skills and continue their journey outdoors. In this way, the program is like the mesquite tree – with roots that provide a stable foundation and branches that create a safe space for participants to grow. And the Young Naturalists themselves are like mesquite pods – once they leave the program, it’s up to them to decide where to grow. 

Roots: Rooted in Nature Journalling

At the root of the Young Naturalists program is nature journaling – the practice of documenting the natural world in words and pictures. Most often done in a notebook, nature journals become scrapbooks of the natural phenomena that an individual has experienced. Like the roots of the large mesquite, it is the strong, sturdy foundation that anchors and helps document the program. Young Naturalists hone their skills in observing the natural world, and this in turn opens the door for more meaningful experiences outdoors. 

Humans directly impact many of the challenges facing the natural world like pollution and habitat fragmentation. Nature journaling teaches people to slow down, notice patterns, think critically, and make informed decisions. Additionally, it engages both the scientific and artistic parts of the brain, thus helping to create well-rounded individuals. These skills prepare participants to make authentic contributions within their communities through advocacy.

Branches: Branching Out to Try New Things

Like a branch just starting out, new participants in the Young Naturalists program are a little unsteady. Thus, the program focuses not only on building skills but on building a community where everyone feels safe to try, fail, and try again. We create this type of space through team building, but it’s the Young Naturalists themselves that make it a reality. Each participant plays a critical role in creating an inclusive community through their own words and actions. My favorite moments from this past year were times when I saw participants help and support each other of their own volition. 

Over the course of the program, each Young Naturalist has their own unique growth journey that encourages them to find the things in nature (and in life) that feed their soul. We acknowledge that success can look different for each participant and make sure to take the time to celebrate those wins. This helps participants gain the internal resilience needed to navigate challenges in other areas of their life. 

Mesquite Pods: Growth Happens in Goodbyes ​

When a mesquite pod drops to the ground, the possibilities for what it becomes are vast – it may be food for animals, break down into nutrients in the soil, or the seeds can grow into trees. Similarly, the possibilities for Young Naturalists beyond the program are endless. We hear stories from caregivers about lasting friendships, community advocacy, and positive personal relationships with the Sonoran Desert that arose after the program. It’s so exciting to think about all the growth that they still have ahead of them!

To learn more about the program or apply to become a Young Naturalist please visit: https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/teens/