Rx One Health 2025
Two Weeks of Hands-On Learning Across California’s Wild Landscapes
In early July, the 2025 Rx One Health Field Institute wrapped up its 8th year of programming! Over the course of two weeks, 25 participants from 13 countries immersed themselves in One Health experiential learning across some of California’s most remarkable ecosystems.
Representing a wide range of professional fields – including public health, environmental resources, veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation, social science, animal science, and geography – this incredible cohort built new skills in leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement, while forging lifelong friendships and professional connections.
The first week began in Santa Cruz, with sessions on biodiversity conservation, land-to-sea pathogen transmission, sea otters as health sentinels, and healthy watershed restoration. Days were filled with classes and field trips, and topped off with unique experiences like tide pooling, first-time roller-coaster rides, a surprise visit to a private fossil collection, and discovering banana slugs beneath shady redwood groves.
Coastal Program Highlights
Hands-on necropsy sessions led by Dr. Melissa Miller and her team at CDFW’s Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center
A boat ride through Elkhorn Slough
A visit to Fifth Crow Farm and the San Mateo RCD-led Pescadero Creek Watershed Recovery Project
Mid-program, the group traveled from Santa Cruz to Davis, CA, for a quick stop before heading to the Sierras for camping. In just two days, participants practiced safely donning and doffing PPE, honed their Incident Command System skills during a simulation with the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), and enjoyed a scenic evening watching the bat fly-out at Yolo Bypass.
Week Two kicked off with a picnic lunch on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, followed by a visit to the Tahoe Environmental Research Center to learn about the Tahoe Basin, a strong foundation before five nights of camping in the northern Sierra Nevada.
Inland Program Highlights
A plant walk that deepened the group's understanding of local ecology, flora, and traditional plant uses
Wildlife disease surveillance
Exploring ongoing research projects in Clover Valley
Witnessing the remarkable power of headwaters restoration, especially the role of beavers
The final two days were dedicated to the Capstone Project, a collaborative effort that drew on each participant’s unique talents and knowledge. Evenings were spent enjoying s’mores, campfire games, and breathtaking sunsets. A barn dance on the final night provided a perfect ending to an unforgettable two weeks.
The lessons learned, connections made, and landscapes explored will stay with these participants forever – and could be the start of your own One Health journey!
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