Education programs
Teachers and educators can find many options for their students and classes at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. This includes opportunities such as field trips, lessons in a trunk, the Junior Duck Stamp Program, Junior Ranger, and more! See below for more detailed information.
Lessons in a Trunk
Interested in premade, self-guided lessons for your class? Check out one of the Refuge's education trunks. These resources are on a first-come, first-served basis, and check outs are for 2 weeks. Contact the Refuge via email at bearriver@fws.gov or call the main Visitor Center phone number at 435-723-5887.
| Going Batty |
Grade K-5 |
Get closer with the only mammal that can fly! This trunk contains lesson plans, activities, and crafts to get students excited to learn about bats and what makes them unique. Bat skeletons, games, crafts, posters, and books all about bats are included in this interactive trunk. |
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| Build-A-Bird |
Grade K-5 |
It is for the birds! This trunk contains materials to help students learn about the features that make different types of birds unique. By slowly transforming a student into a bird, students will discover how a bird's habitat and diet impact what a bird looks like. |
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| Build-A-Frog |
Grade K-5 |
Ribbet! This trunk includes lessons to help students discover the unique adaptations frogs have and their life cycle. There are also information sheets to help students learn the basic differences between amphibians and reptiles. |
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| Bills & Beaks |
Grade K-5 |
Bills and Beaks and Birds, oh my! This trunk helps students to understand concepts of adaptation and natural selection. Through the usage of various tools, students will determine which beak (tool) is best for retrieving which type of bird food. |
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| Build-A-Shorebird |
Grade K-5 |
She saw shorebirds at the seashore. This trunk contains lessons and materials to teach students about shorebirds and the special adaptations they have developed to help them survive in the wild. Students will also gain firsthand experience at being a shorebird themselves as they learn what positive and negative things affect the birds. |
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| Birds of Prey |
Grade 3-7 |
Why do raptors have so many adaptations and skills? Because they are talon-ted! This trunk contains lesson plans and activities on raptor vision, talons, and owl pellets. Supporting materials include raptor artifacts such as real feathers, talons, and skulls as well as additional books and crafts. |
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Field Trips
Environmental education and interpretation are a vital part of what staff does at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. A variety of programs and events are offered throughout the year. Groups are welcome, but please call the Refuge to make a reservation before your visit.
The Refuge offers multiple field trip options, depending on the season, which follow important state science curriculum standards and topics. All age groups are welcome and encouraged to attend a field trip at the Refuge. These programs are a great way to teach students about a host of ecological functions, the importance of wetlands, and the diversity of plant and animal life.
Topics:
| Birds & Their Adaptations |
Grades (K-2): The life of a bird is an incredible journey. Learn about some of the unique adaptation's birds have and their path from an egg to an adult. Grades (3-5): Learn about some of the ways birds prepare for migration and what their long journey entails. Explore some of the important habitat's birds depend on when traveling and witness actual birds in an important protected area originally designated for birds. | Birds and Their Adaptations Lesson Plan |
| Wetland Ecology & Macroinvertebrates |
Grades (K-2): Wetlands are essential habitats that benefit many different forms of life. Learn about some of the unique creatures that depend on the Refuge’s wetlands and witness them up-close while exploring the habitat. Grades (3-5): Watersheds and the wetlands within them serve as essential homes and resources to both wildlife and humans. Discover the importance of watersheds and the role that humans play through the up-close exploration of a real wetland habitat. | Wetland Ecology & Macroinvertebrates Lesson Plan |
| Insects & Pollination |
Grades (K-2): While all insects are bugs, not all bugs are insects. Learn about the physical characteristics that make up an insect and discover some of the incredible role's insects play in keeping the environment healthy. Grades (3-5): Insects represent 70% of all animal species found on the planet. In fact, without them, humans and other animals would not be able to survive. Discover some of the species of insects that live at the Refuge and learn about the importance of pollination and how humans can support these essential creatures. | Insects & Pollination Lesson Plan |
Teachers/Group Leaders - If you are planning a field trip with your school or students, PLEASE contact Refuge staff in advance to schedule the trip as staff are very busy with visiting groups throughout the year. Review this Program Guide to prepare for the questions Refuge staff will ask. Here at the Refuge, educators strive to give your students the best experience possible and would like an adequate amount of time to prepare for your group.
Self-Guided Visit to the Refuge
There are many fun activities for all ages to partake in here at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge! If you are planning on bringing a self-guided group to the Refuge, here are a few activity options you may want to consider depending on the amount of time you spend at the Refuge!
| 1 Hour | 2 Hours | 3 to 4 Hours | |
| Grades K-2 |
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| Grades 3-5 |
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| Grades 6-12 |
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Junior Duck Stamp Program
Every school year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service holds the annual Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest to get students learning and involved in a science and art cross-curricular program. The art contest is open to K-12 public, private, and home school students.
How Can I Participate?
Students can choose to participate only in the art contest, or teachers can request associated programming materials from the Refuge to incorporate in classes. The Refuge offers rentable art trunks, small art kits, and programming opportunities to help you get started. Contact the Refuge via email at bearriver@fws.gov or call the main Visitor Center phone number at 435-723-5887 for more information.
How Do I Submit My Student's Artwork?
You will need to print and fill out an entry form for each piece of artwork being submitted. If your student is in grades 7-12, you will need to fill out a reference form for each piece. Forms can be found here: Junior Duck Stamp Contest Information. After you have filled in the forms, attach the forms to the back of your student's art entry and mail it by Utah's contest deadline, March 1st to:
Olivia Ellenbecker, Park Ranger
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
2155 W Forest St.
Brigham City, UT 84302
Junior Ranger Program
The Refuge has an active Junior Ranger program which can be completed with or without one of the Refuge's special Junior Ranger backpacks. These backpacks are available for check-out by children and families at the Refuge's front desk inside the Visitor Center, and are filled with fun tools and guides for exploring the Refuge wetlands and grasslands. To become a Junior Refuge Ranger at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, complete the Junior Ranger Activity Booklet to earn your official badge. Badges can be retrieved at the Refuge's front desk.
