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Environmental Education Programs

Have you discovered the joys of teaching in the outdoors? Would you like expert assistance in teaching your students about ecology, wetlands, and the environment? Bring your class to one of the nation's largest urban wildlife refuges for your next field trip. It's fun, it's interesting, and your students will remember what they learn at the refuge for years to come.

What types of programs are available? Field trips for Schools Off-Site presentations for youth groups Free Webs Under Waves on-line educational activities Scout Programs in Alviso Who may participate? Where are environmental education programs conducted? How do I sign up for a program? Once I have signed up, how do I prepare for a program? Costs and available resources.

What types of programs are available?

• Field trips

  Our dynamic Environmental Education program offers free all-day educator-led field trips. Teachers, outdoor education leaders, adult leaders, and students are actively involved in exploring the diverse habitats of the refuge. Students participate in a variety of hands-on group activities that are designed to teach ecological concepts that focus on the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge's resource management issues such as habitat preservation, endangered species, and migratory birds. Integrating science, art, history, social studies, math, language arts, and physical education, the activities are adaptable to students of all grade levels. And what's more, they're fun! All programs have been correlated to the appropriate State of California Education Standards.

  There are two field trip programs at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge:

  1. "Wetland Round-up" Field Trip

  2. "Slow the Flow" Environmental Education Program
  (Sponsored by the City of San Jose through a grant to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society) )
  

  "Slow the Flow" Field Trip Slow the Flow is designed for grades* 5-12 and is available free of charge to educators and organizations located in San Jose, Alviso, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Campbell and Cupertino. The field trips take place at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso and consist of a staff-led opening and closing, lunch (not provided by the Refuge), and three, in-depth activities (activities are led by a staff member, intern, and a Refuge volunteer). An additional chaperone or educator is available to act as a "floater" to help when needed. During the field trip activities, students and educators explore the topics of water use, wastewater treatment and habitat preservation. A key focus for Slow the Flow is to demonstrate the relationship between our personal habits and their effects on local habitats. All activities are correlated to fit California content standards.
  Slow the Flow Integrated Field Grip and Classroom Program This comprehensive environmental eduation program is now available for 5-12 grade classes. Slow the Flow Integrated offers a classroom presentation preceeding the field trip. The goal of this program is to develop a more meaningful experience for students that motivates true life change. These life-style changes will ignite a reduction of south bay water use and help preserve endangered species habitat. Become a Slow the Flow Volunteer! Click here to see a 3-minute video (3.64 MB) about Slow the Flow volunteer opportunites, or call 408-262-5513. *A modified field trip is available for college groups and educators are encouraged to contact us to discuss options for customizing field trip activities and schedules. Slow the Flow Off-Site Presentations (Sponsored by the City of San Jose through a grant to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society) As with the field trips, these free presentations are available to educators located in San Jose, Alviso, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Campbell and Cupertino. Off-site presentations are appropriate for libraries, youth groups, after-school programs, and such. These programs can be arranged through advanced planning, please contact the Slow the Flow Program Coordinator at 408-262-5513 ext. 104. Group size is limited to 15-30 participants.

• Webs Under Waves On-Line Activities for Grades 3-5
  

  As an extension of the Common Murre Restoration Project, this program explores the food webs of the central California coastal marine environment. Students learn about the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, and Devil's Slide Rock, and adaptations of the common murre and what they can do to help protect marine life.

  The Webs Under Waves program is under construction. We encourage teachers to use the activities from the Webs Under Waves program as a supplement to their ocean education programs. These on-line activities include: A Student Science Journal; Seabird Adaptation Card Game; Ocean Pledge Card and Banner; and Newsletters - the Murre Maniac and Farallon Fanatic. If you are interested in participating in our future program please contact the Environmental Education Center Director at 408-262-5513 ext. 100.

Click here to download the activities.

• Scout Programs in Alviso
  (Funded by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program through a grant to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society)
  The Environmental Education Center currently offers free hands-on, small group programs for Scouts. During the programs Scouts get a chance to learn about endangered species, migratory birds, wetland habitats, and the relationship between personal habits and their effects on the Bay. The programs are sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program and the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society and are hosted at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge.

  We offer three specific Scout Programs that meet the badge/patch requirements each quarter. The Scout Programs offered are, Webelos Naturalist Badge, Brownie Eco-Explorer Patch, and the Junior Girl Scout Wildlife Badge. Programs are usually on Saturdays at scheduled times and are roughly two hours. Weekday programs are offered in the summer and during some school holidays.

  Scouts are also invited to make reservations for other weekend programs at the Visitor Center in Fremont and the Environmental Education Center in Alviso that may be suitable to their badge/patch needs. Please see the individual program description for more information and who to contact for a reservation. Please note: Group size may be limited for certain programs. Some of the regular programs offered that may meet badge requirements include: Community Service, Habitat Hike, Special Events, Owl Programs, Butterfly Programs, Mud and Critter Programs, Clean Ups, etc . These programs are listed in the Activity Schedule.

Who may participate?

You! One primary purpose of San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is to provide high-quality environmental education to an interested audience. Our list of participants includes schools, scout groups, youth associations, nature centers, environmental education organizations, civic groups, libraries and more! Slow the Flow programs are available for educators located in San Jose, Alviso, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Campbell and Cupertino.

All other programs are open to all educators. Check the age guidelines and program descriptions to determine which are appropriate for your group.

Two education facilities are heavily used by educators and students to learn about the ecology of San Francisco Bay: the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Alviso, and the Newark Slough Learning Center in Fremont. Together, they serve 10,000 students each year.

• Environmental Education Center 408-262-5513

The Environmental Education Center at the southern end of San Francisco Bay is surrounded by uplands, salt marshes, salt ponds and freshwater tidal slough. The building which was designed for education, contains two classrooms, an auditorium and an enclosed observation tower. An open pavilion, trails and a boardwalk through the salt marsh habitat make it easy to see and explore natural wonders of the South Bay. The building and portions of the trails are accessible to all peoples of varying abilities. Click here for hours.

Newark Slough Learning Center 510-792-0222

The Newark Slough Learning Center, located just south of the Dumbarton Bridge Toll Plaza in Fremont near the Visitor Center, is perched on a hillside above miles of salt marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats and salt ponds. The Pumphouse, our environmental education ‘outpost,' along with an amphitheater and Environmental Education Pavilion, serve as the hub of an extensive system of bridges, boardwalks and trails that make it easy to see and explore the San Francisco Bay habitats. The Visitor Center has wildlife exhibits, an observation deck, a bookstore and an auditorium. Click here for hours.

How do I sign up for a program?

• "Wetland Round-up" Field Trips
  Reservations for Autumn field trips (Oct. - Dec.) begin on the second week of September. We continue to accept reservations for these field trips as long as spots are available.

  Reservations for Winter and Spring field trips (Feb/Mar.- June) begin the first week in December. We continue to accept reservations for these field trips as long as spots are available.

  "Wetland Round-up" field trips are offered at both sites. To reserve a field trip at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso, call
  408-262-5513 ext. 103 or ext. 100. Click here for field trips at the Newark Slough Learning Center in Fremont.

• "Slow the Flow" Environmental Education Program (sponsored by the City of San Jose through a grant to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society):
  Reservations for all of these Slow the Flow programs are taken on an ongoing basis. Please call 408-262-5513 ext. 104.
  
• Scout Programs (sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program): RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. These programs fill up quickly. There are call in dates for programs offered in Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Reservation call in dates for Autumn start in September, Winter program reservations start in December, and Spring program reservations start in March. Refer to Tideline for the specific call-in dates or call the Environmental Education Center in Alviso. To make a reservation or for more information, please call the Urban Runoff Prevention Program Coordinator at 408-262-5513 ext 102.

Once I have signed up, how do I prepare for a program?

• Field Trip Orientation Workshops
  "Wetland Round-Up" Field Trip Program
  These workshops give information to help you design your field trip as well as answer questions and provide hands-on experience at learning stations. Educators who are bringing groups to the refuge for a field trip (at least one per group) are required to attend a Field Trip Orientation Workshop. Educators must attend a field trip orientation every two years. We provide easy to follow "scripts" for each station, but both "leaders" and "chaperones" are strongly encouraged to attend a Field Trip Orientation Workshop. Educators who have conducted field trips at the Refuge have reported that due to the active role that adult volunteers play during the field trip, it is very helpful if they have attended our workshops before the trip.

  Check the Field Trips page in Tideline for orientation dates at the Visitor Center in Fremont or the Environmental Education Center in Alviso.

"Slow the Flow" Integrated Field Trip and Classroom Program
Educators are required to arrange a personal orientation meeting with the Slow the Flow Coordinator every year. These meetings can take place at the educators’ convenience, either after school or on a Sunday. Please arrange your meeting with the Slow the Flow Coordinator.

• Educator Guides
  Each workshop participant receives materials with helpful field trip information. Educators who attend the "Wetland Round-up" Orientation Workshop receive the Salt Marsh Manual. The Slow the Flow Program provides a packet of information to participating teachers. Each guide and packet of information includes activities correlated to CA Education Standards for use before, during and after the field trip; natural history of San Francisco Bay ; a bird and plant list as well as in-depth background information particular to the themes of each field trip program. Adult leaders who attend the "Wetland Round-up" Field Trip Orientation Workshop receive a leader packet and refuge information.

• Group Size and Adult:Student Ratio
  "Wetland Round-Up" Field Trip
  Up to 65 students. A ratio of at least 1:5-6 adult to students is required.

"Slow the Flow" Environmental Education Programs
1. "Slow the Flow" Integrated Field Trip and Classroom Program"
Classroom Presentation - Up to 30 Students
Field Trip - Up to 60 Students
Ratio required is 1:8 adult to students

2. "Slow the Flow" Field Trips
Up to 30 students
Ratio required is 1:8 adult to students

Scout Programs (Sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runofff Pollution Prevention Program)
Up to 20 people, including siblings. No siblings under 5 years-old.

• Lunch
  

  Groups need to bring their own lunch. No trash cans are available at lunch areas. Bring sufficient numbers of boxes or bags to collect lunch garbage. We strongly encourage "no-trash" lunches, and we require the recycling of glass, aluminum and plastics (where applicable).

Costs and available resources

• Program costs
  

  All environmental education programs are FREE. A variety of equipment, including binoculars, microscopes, dip nets and hand lenses is available at no charge for group use. Please note that groups are responsible for replacing any equipment that is lost or damaged.

• Transportation

  Unfortunately, the Refuge generally cannot provide money for bussing.

  **A small stipend ($3 per child) for transportation is available for Slow the Flow field trips through the San Jose Rotary Club Youth Education in Science (Y.E.S.) program. Teachers should first sign up for a Slow the Flow field trip and then visit http://www.sjrotary.org/yes/ to fill out the online application for the stipend. Please note that the Y.E.S. program has a limited amount of money and that stipends are given out as long as funds are available in a first come, first serve basis.
  
  **Educators participating in Slow the Flow field trips are also encouraged to check the Youth Watershed Education Grants website for information on this City of San Jose grant program. This program does consider grant applications that include transportation costs for Slow the Flow field trips as long as the educator applicant can show how the trip activities fit into his/her curriculum. If you are interested in pursuing this option, please read the information at the website below and contact the YWEG program coordinator, Tamara Gilbert. Please also contact us to inform us of your plans.

• Educator resources

  In addition to the educator guides (described above), environmental education specialists are available to provide planning assistance. Both the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Alviso and the Newark Slough Learning Center in Fremont have audio-visual lending libraries containing a selection of educational tapes for students and training videos for field trip learning station leaders. The EEC also has a small, cataloged environmental education resource library that educators are welcome to use on-site and photocopy.