September 28, 2023

When Natale Canepa was stuck at home to take college classes online in 2020, he was miserable. He couldn’t get outside as much to see nature, and he couldn’t whistle, his favorite pastime.

So when in-person classes returned to San Diego State, Natale celebrated by whistling at his favorite pocket of nature on campus — the turtle pond.

Now known as the Turtle Pond Whistler, Natale spreads joy and has attracted more students to the turtle pond.

How can green spaces like the turtle pond raise students’ spirits and improve mental health?

Guests:

  • Natale Canepa, Student and turtle pond whistler, San Diego State University
  • Noah Lyons, Journalism student and member, California Student Journalism Corps

Read more from EdSource: More college campuses leveraging the outdoors to support student mental health

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.