Monique Streit

Growing up in Grand Canyon National Park, Monique’s connection to nature was cultivated at a young age by exploring the forest and canyon that lay outside her backdoor. Early on, she was inspired to learn about the rivers, trees, rocks, flowers, and animals in her surroundings, which taught her the importance of protecting our natural resources. Monique found that through education she can share her love of the outdoors but can also teach others how they can be active environmental stewards. Monique earned her BS in Elementary Education and went on to teach 4th grade in Flagstaff, AZ. By incorporating environmental education into her classroom as much as possible, she decided to change career paths. Monique earned her MS in Environmental Education and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Southern Oregon University. She is particularly interested in providing students the skills, knowledge, and tools they need to make informed and sustainable decisions that will positively impact their community through inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive lessons. She believes this can be achieved through hands-on, experiential outdoor learning opportunities. She is thrilled to join the SYRCL team and continue to give students meaningful environmental education experiences throughout the Yuba watershed. Monique serves as the River Education Manager for the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in Nevada City, CA. In this position, she takes over 1,200 students down a 4.5-mile section of the lower Yuba River to witness spawning Chinook salmon each fall. She also works with high school students each summer through an immersive field science program focused on meadow restoration. Each winter during SYRCL’s Flagship Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF), schools participate in our WSFF School Programs where they watch current environmental films focused on youth engagement, activism, and cultural connection. An important part of our school programs, Wild & Scenic creates a film-specific, standards-based curriculum for participating educators from local elementary schools, middle schools and high schools for further classroom enrichment.

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