The Wilderness Arts And Literacy Collaborative (WALC) is an academic
environmental education program at two inner-city high schools in San Francisco, serving primarily low-income youth of color who have historically been underserved. Traditional schooling has been insufficient in helping our students overcome the academic disadvantages that have plagued their
educational careers since birth or immigration. A diverse group of teachers
developed WALC as an alternative educational program that addresses the
needs of our students in a holistic fashion; we offer a model of education that directly addresses students¹ critical academic needs as well as facilitating their sense of self and sense of place as participants in society and the ecological processes of our planet. Our pedagogical
strategies address not only academic achievement, but also character and moral standards, civic responsibility and environmental stewardship.
 
Place-based field studies that teach core environmental education concepts are at the heart of our academic program. Ongoing habitat restoration projects, the study of natural history, and real, relevant environmental legacy projects that affect systemic environmental change within our own school community give our students the analytical frameworks and experiential edge to succeed as learners and become positive members of their communities.

The students and staff of the Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative would like to thank all of the individuals and foundations who have supported us in the past, and continue to do so as we build our future.

WALC would not be possible without your kindness and generosity.

Because of you over 500 students at two different high schools have experienced what you see in this website, and for over nine years five lucky teachers have had a wonderful way to teach.