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If you have a program not listed here,
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Marin Children & Nature Network
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Marin Environmental & Outdoor Educators that Provide Programs in Marin County or Program for Marin County Youth. There are a wide variety of wonderful environmental and outdoor education programs that serve Marin County Youth. Here is a listing of some of the county's programs with helpful information. Environmental Education Inventory
Organizations
Action for Nature www.actionfornature.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Action For Nature (AFN) is a USA-based nonprofit organization that inspires young people to take action for the environment and protect the natural world in their own neighborhood and around the world. Action For Nature was founded by Shimon Schwarzschild, who made a difference by taking personal action to protect nature. AFN invites young people from around the world to send us stories or messages about what they have done to care for the natural world, and we will post them on this web site for everyone to read and share. AFN wants to help kids everywhere to share information, make connections with each other and build a worldwide network to take care of the earth. Age Groups & Grade Level AFN sponsors the International Young Eco-Hero Award. This award honors children and teens ages 8 to 16 who have taken action to protect nature and preserve a healthy environment. AFN has published the book "Acting for Nature" which tells the stories of "ordinary" youngsters from around the world who have taken "extraordinary" steps to defend the environment. Angel Island Association www.angelisland.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children When the class arrives at the island, all participants become soldiers in the U.S. Army in the year 1864. They march to Camp Reynolds carrying their personal gear on their backs. Bunks are then assigned in the Quartermaster building for the night. During the day, these new recruits receive training in militia drill, compass orienteering, mess cooking, bread baking and flag signaling. In the evening, a night reconnaissance hike is made to Mt. Livermore. Later that night, each squad is assigned a security watch period and must maintain a journal of their experiences. The next morning, park staff returns and uses a group of students to help fire a twelve-pound mountain howitzer cannon. Location(s) of Program(s) Angel Island is a hilly, grass and forest-covered island, the largest in San Francisco Bay. It is located one mile from the Tiburon Peninsula. The park covers 740 acres and is 788 feet high at the top of Mt. Livermore. It provides spectacular views of Marin County, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate, and the entire Bay Area. In addition to recreational facilities (hiking, biking, camping, boating), it is rich in historical significance. Park Headquarters and the main visitor's center are in Ayala Cove on the North side of the Island, accessible by commercial ferries and private boats. Age Groups & Grade Level Each year, the staff of Angel Island State Park offers an overnight Living History Program (LHP) for fourth and fifth grade classes. Each class is limited to 44 people, of which no more than 11 can be adults (including the teacher). The program is offered twice each week and is supervised on site by a state park employee. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Audubon Canyon Ranch www.egret.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Audubon Canyon Ranch manages and protects 2,000 acres in Marin and Sonoma counties as wildlife sanctuaries, including the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, a renowned springtime nesting site for Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets near Stinson Beach. ACR preserves are centers for education and conservation science research, where each year, thousands of visiting schoolchildren and families hike the canyons, explore the ponds, discover what lives on the forest floor and discuss the cycle of the natural world through the environmental education programs of Audubon Canyon Ranch. 1. Day Program The preserve visit is the central experience of the day program. The visit consists of a 3-hour guided nature hike where docents engage students in the discovery of the natural environment of the Preserves. Students explore California woodlands, view nesting herons and egrets, explore pond or creek ecology, have hands-on experiences with amphibians, learn Coastal Miwok folklore, and much more. Prior to the children’s visit to the preserve, teachers are sent packets containing activities and teaching suggestions for environmental education. A team of volunteer docents visits the classroom to in advance provide background information about the natural environment and prepare the students for their visit. 2. Overnight Program Several schools participate in an overnight program at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve each year. The purpose of the program is to provide a more in-depth experience and reinforcement of ecological concepts to students participating in the day education programs. The program offers opportunities to fourth and fifth grade students who are otherwise unlikely to have this experience in a wilderness area. Location(s) of Program(s) Programs operate during the spring and fall from the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve located near Stinson Beach on Highway One, and the Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon. Age Groups & Grade Level Access to Families and the Public: The Bolinas Lagoon Preserve and the Bouverie Preserve are both accessible to families and the visiting public during select times of the year. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Awen Grove www.awengrove.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Awen Grove brings greater knowledge of the value of nature, which inspires actions that lead to global health. Through innovative global public information & awareness campaigns, Awen Grove shifts negative habits of buying and consuming (in order to be happy) to messages about the importance of living harmoniously with nature to enhance the quality & longevity of people's lives. Through the Nature Inspiration Campaign, Awen Grove increases public awareness and understanding of species and habitats of global importance, leading ultimately to conservation of the species and its habitat. Awen Grove: Youth Quest & Scholarship Program www.awengrove.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Youth Quest combines nature-based exploration and discovery hand-in-hand with life skill coaching, team and self esteem building activities that draw out youth's unique skills and interests. Outdoor sessions are held at beautiful and inspiring places near where young people live so they can learn about the species that frequent their own backyards. These holistic experiential outdoor learning experiences are powerful because they tap into a young person's multiple intelligences. It is often during spontaneous interactions with nature that young people develop a sense of wonder. The middle school years are a critical stage of development in a young person's life. Youth Quest addresses the needs of adolescents who are living through the most confusing and sometimes tumultuous stage of their lives. By gaining greater awareness of and comfort with being in the outdoors, youth gain self confidence. During Youth Quest — children and young teens have their imagination, creativity and intelligence awakened. Youth Quest also offers scholarships to deserving low income youth. Bay Area CREEC www.creec.org/region4Program(s) Offered for Children Bay Area CREEC is here to connect Bay Area teachers with the highest quality Environmental Education Resources available. Check out our Calendar of Environmental Education events to link with professional development opportunities. To find specific programs and organizations that will help you, go to our Resource Directory with over 400 programs or resources for Bay Area educators. Information is updated regularly, so check it out! View our quarterly Newsletter for workshops, events, grants and contests, announcements, a provider’s information, and Bay Area CREEC news. Providers visit our EE Evaluation Resources page developed by the Bay Area EE Evaluation Learning Community. Find resources for evaluating your EE program including evaluation professionals! In addition, we now have a new General EE Research page funded by Stopwaste.Org highlighting resources that demonstrate the benefits to EE including improvements to academic achievement! Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Bay Area Discovery Museum www.baykidsmuseum.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The Mission of the Bay Area Discovery Museum is to engage, delight and educate children through exploration of and connection with the local environment and the diverse communities that live here. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor facility at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, serving over 270,000 visitors per year on its 7.5-acre Sausalito campus. We are the only children's museum in the U.S. to be located in a national park, and our exhibits are admired and emulated by other children's museums nationwide. The Museum is recognized as the leading children's museum dedicated to developing childhood creativity, nurturing future generations of creative thinkers and innovators. With this emphasis on creativity through play, we encourage children ages six months to eight years to develop into curious, creative, adventurous lifelong learners and explorers. The Museum's unique programs feature hands-on art, science and environmental exhibitions, performances, special events, cultural festivals and ongoing educational curricula... all with a focus on fun! Age Groups & Grade Level The Museum serves children ages 6 months - 8 years, their families, educators and caregivers. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Bay Area Wilderness Training www.bawt.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children BAWT, a program of the Earth Island Institute, began with the idea that California's bountiful wilderness areas are a vast, yet untapped, resource for local youth-serving organizations. BAWT promotes the wise use of these national, state and regional parks through our professional wilderness leadership training. Then, we link our workshops to our outdoor equipment library, so that youth organizations and schools may outfit their groups for trips of their own -- free of charge! We believe that well led trips to granite cliffs, isolated beaches and ancient redwoods, provide youth with powerful and life changing experiences. BAWT exists as a vital, comprehensive and ongoing source of support to agencies that lead youth wilderness trips. We believe that urban youth, once exposed to wilderness, have a broadened sense of themselves, each other, and the world around them. BAWT extends it services to the eight counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. We hope other organizations will take this vision to the rest of the country and the larger world. BAWT's primary strategy for achieving its mission is to provide Bay Area youth agency staff with wilderness leadership training and outdoor equipment so that they, along with the youth they serve, may explore the power and beauty of California's wilderness. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Bay Model Visitor Center www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvcProgram(s) Offered for Children The Bay Model offers a unique opportunity for teachers and students to learn about the geography, topography, ecology, and the human and natural history of the San Francisco Bay and Delta. The dynamic nature of the model allows students to observe tidal action and visualize currents and eddies, as they would actually occur in the Bay and Delta. Location(s) of Program(s) We offer a variety of programs some inside and some outside. When outside, it is mostly in the immediate Sausalito area. Age Groups & Grade Level We serve mostly 4-6th grade. However, there are programs for all age levels. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
We do programs & events throughout the year California Department of Fish and Game www.dfg.ca.govProgram(s) Offered for Children The Department of Fish and Game maintains native fish, wildlife, plant species and natural communities for their intrinsic and ecological value and their benefits to people. This includes habitat protection and maintenance in a sufficient amount and quality to ensure the survival of all species and natural communities. The department is also responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific and educational uses. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
We do programs & events throughout the year California State Parks www.parks.ca.govProgram(s) Offered for Children Junior Rangers Find out how you can become a junior ranger! We now offer a brand new Junior Ranger Adventure Guide that you can print out. There are special prizes to reward you for discovering the fun in many of California's state parks! Litter Getters The Litter Getter Program will keep you earning prizes throughout your visits to California State Parks, and at the same time, you will be helping protect our wildlife. You will be helping to keep the parks clean, while learning about how you can make a difference. Age Groups & Grade Level 7-12 years old Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
We do programs & events throughout the year Canal Child Care Center (a program of Community Action Marin) www.camarin.org/canal.htmlProgram(s) Offered for Children For over twenty-eight years, CCCC has served low-income and at-risk children who live in the Canal Area of San Rafael. Most of the families we assist are immigrants, uprooted from their homeland. We help families learn the values and gain the knowledge and skills that are crucial to building and nurturing bodies, minds and communities. Leaders, who know about living with nature, help youngsters discover their connection to the earth in the Center's organic garden and in Marin's wild places. In the spring, we celebrate nature's gifts in a community garden event. Earth loving volunteers and students who need work experience are always welcome. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Children & Nature Network www.childrenandnature.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The vision and mission of the Children & Nature Network is to give every child in every community a wide range of opportunities to experience nature directly, reconnecting our children with nature's joys and lessons, its profound physical and mental bounty. The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. The network provides a critical link between researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children's health and well-being. C&NN also promotes fundamental institutional change and provides resources for sharing information, strategic initiatives and success stories. The C&NN news service and portal, childrenandnature.org, offers parents, youth, civic leaders, educators and health-care providers access to the latest news and research in this field as well as practical advice, including ways to apply new-found knowledge at home, at school, in work environments, and in the community. The network also engages a diverse community of institutes, organizations and industries by providing a forum for publishing and presenting research, reports and case studies on children's health and nature, and related program-development strategies and support. College of Marin www.marin.cc.ca.usProgram(s) Offered for Children The Children's Centers at College of Marin provide high quality, low cost childcare based on state guidelines of family income. We offer nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks; highly skilled, caring, state certified teachers; curriculum focused on support for pre-academic readiness and meaningful play experiences; an environment where cultural diversity is honored and celebrated. Location(s) of Program(s) & Age Groups Indian Valley Campus: The Indian Valley Campus, located in Novato, is now enrolling children 2 years, 9 months to 5 years in the Preschool Kentfield Campus: The Kentfield Campus is now enrolling children 2 years, 9 months to 5 years in the Preschool. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Community Action Marin www.camarin.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children, Location, Age Groups Fairfax Youth Project The Fairfax Youth Project is an after school program designed by Community Action Marin to provide a safe, constructive, and affordable activity center for youth in grades 5 through 8. Under the supervision of a program director and volunteer staff, children are offered arts and crafts, music, homework assistance, and physical activities during critical after school hours. In addition to after-school activities, the center offers a summer curriculum that includes sports, games and field trips in addition to the regular curriculum. For more information on Fairfax Youth Project, program schedules contact Mario Flores, program director, 415.458.2352. Head Start Head Start serves all of Marin with centers in Novato, San Rafael, Marin City and Point Reyes Bolinas Children's Center The Center offers a parent-participation program and a pre-school program for children from 2 1/2 to 5 years old. Extended afternoon childcare is also available for children 2 1/2 to 10 years old. The program emphasizes cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. It encourages the development of intellectual skills as well as addressing the balance between self-identity and learning to relate to a group, to other children, and to adults. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Cross Cultural Environmental Leadership cvaldez@igc.orgMission Statement: The mission of the Cross Cultural Environmental leadership Program is to foster environmental literacy and leadership development among culturally diverse youth. The fundamental premise that our ecological, social and economic systems are inextricably connected and affect the health and well being of all living creatures is woven through all levels of XCEL. Davidson Middle School www.kidsgardening.com/School/registrydetails.taf?id=4197 aewbrown@comcast.net : Ann BrownProgram(s) Offered for Children Gardening Contexts/Emphases: Outdoor, Vegetables; Outdoor, Flowers; Pond / Wetland; Multicultural; Habitat Creation / Restoration; Composting Age Groups & Grade Level 5-8th Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Earth Matters 4 Kids www.earthmatters4kids.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The Mission of Earth Matters! is "working towards a sustainable future by reaching our current and future environmental stewards and leaders in their formative years." Earth Matters! strives to teach students about the systems and cycles that take place all around us and to support teachers and schools in teaching standards-based sustainability curricula and implementing its practices. In turn, students learn how to engage in responsible individual and cooperative actions that create sustainable solutions to the local and global environmental challenges that we face today. Earth Matters! offers two California State standards-based nutrition and environmental sustainability programs for 4th and 5th grade public school students. The program for 4th grade is taught in seven consecutive days and is titled "Sustainable Nutrition: How Do the Foods We Eat Affect the World?" The 5th grade program, "Sustainable Cycles: How Do Our Lives Affect the World's Cycles?," is taught in 5 consecutive days. Both programs follow the guidelines stated in the California and national standards in science, social studies and language arts, and are taught on the school site in the classroom by trained volunteers. The Earth Matters program engages students through not only direct instruction and group discussion, but also through creative, hands-on activities that relay a deeper understanding of our world environment and our responsibility to it. The program is taught in a fun, thought-provoking way, using drama, music, art, engineering, design and collective problem solving to inspire students to make more educated choices. Students are encouraged to track the progress of their individual and collective actions, further empowering them to understand the effectiveness of personal actions. Ecological Arts www.ecologicalarts.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Children learn that they are a crucial aspect of the natural environment. They learn that they have an important job as caretakers, and stewards, and that this is a joyful fulfilling role. Children learn local history and land management techniques, dating back 11,000 yrs. Through direct experience, children learn native plant and local fauna cycles. Small groups are organized to harvest, and collect from the land in a regenerative manner. Children take part in native plant natural dye workshops, native plant paper making,and the creation of restoration gardens. Curricula is designed to support classroom learning. Rebecca Burgess, M.Ed, has been a classroom teacher in general education and special education settings. She founded ecological arts in 2003, as a means to support and enrich local education. Her passion is to help teachers and students understand the environmental history of were they live, to be able to directly experience, and understand how they fit in, as members of the natural system. She collaborates with a local ethnobotany guild, that includes local historians, Pomo tribe representatives, and restoration ecologists. Age Groups & Grade Level Children ages 3-18 enjoy this work. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Edgewood Center for Children and Families www.edgewoodcenter.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Edgewood Center for Children and Families (Edgewood) helps children and families take back their future by working with them to overcome severe challenges like abuse, neglect, mental illness and family crisis. The oldest children's charity in the western U.S., Edgewood has evolved to meet the community’s changing needs. What began as a refuge for Gold Rush orphans more than 150 years ago is now a nationally recognized, multifaceted agency. Edgewood serves more than 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area each year through community and residential programs. Edgewood offers Community-Based Services in the following areas: Kinship and family support, prevention and intervention, wraparound, school-based programs, behavioral and mental health, and physical health and wellness. Intensive Services include residential treatment, day treatment, educational therapy in the agency's non-public school, medical and psychiatric services and case management. Our award-winning Research team studies outcomes and approaches to gain understanding of the best ways organizations can help children and their communities. Edgewood's Advocacy team champions the rights of children by raising understanding and awareness of issues impacting their well-being. The agency’s Training program draws on years of experience and the latest research to teach staff as well as caregivers, teachers, and child welfare professionals in California and beyond. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy parksconservancy.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy's work is undertaken with generous contributions from individual, corporate, and foundation donors, as well as income earned from operating park bookstores and cafes, publishing educational materials, producing interpretive merchandise, and providing park tours. Since its inception in 1981, the Parks Conservancy has provided the Golden Gate National Parks with more than $100 million in support and is recognized as one of the largest and most effective park partners in the country. The goals of our work are to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Golden Gate National Recreation Area www.nps.gov/gogaProgram(s) Offered for Children Golden Gate National Parks chronicle two hundred years of history, from the Native American culture, the Spanish Empire frontier and the Mexican Republic, to maritime history, the California Gold Rush, the evolution of American coastal fortifications and the growth of urban San Francisco. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Greenwood School www.greenwoodschool.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Greenwood School is a K-8 educational community located in the heart of Mill Valley, just north of San Francisco. Since 1991, the parents of Greenwood School have been dedicated to creating the best possible education for their children. The active parent body works closely with a faculty of very talented and experienced teachers to create a Waldorf-inspired education. Our class teachers journey through the grades with their students. In addition to the class teacher, there are specialty teachers for Spanish, music, handwork, art, games, woodworking and eurhythmy. A dedicated environmental studies program fosters reverence, wonder and stewardship of the natural world, while incorporating an age-appropriate science curriculum. Location(s) of Program(s) K-8 Waldorf-inspired elementary school with a NEST (Nature/Environmental Studies Program) where one day/ week is spent outdoors in nature. NEST classes are led by Naturalists. Headlands Institute www.yni.orgProgram(s) Offered for K-12 Children FIELD SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM : The Headlands Institute's Field Science Education program serves students and teachers from approximately 200 Bay Area schools. Among the subjects taught are: marine science, terrestrial biology, watershed ecology, earth and physical sciences and cultural history. COASTAL CAMP at Headlands Institute, a summer day camp : In 2007, the organization launched a new program, Coastal Camp at Headlands Institute. With our 30 years of experience in environmental education, we designed Coastal Camp to break the mold by finding the place where play and education meet. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS TRAINING PROGRAM : Headlands Institute offers week-long trainings in experiential education techniques to Bay Area classroom teachers and educators each summer. TEEN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION MENTORSHIP (TEAM) : Teen Environmental Action Mentorship (TEAM) is a year-round paid environmental education internship and leadership program for Bay Area high school youth. YOUTH QUEST CONFERENCE : Each year, more than 200 teens involved in community or school environmental groups from throughout the state come to the Marin Headlands for the Youth Quest Conference. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS TRAINING PROGRAM : Headlands Institute offers week-long trainings in experiential education techniques to Bay Area classroom teachers and educators each summer. SUMMER DAY CAMP : Campers entering grades 1-9 engage their curious minds and boundless energy by exploring and investigating the natural world. Coastal Camp finds the place where play and learning meet by combining marine and coastal ecology with hands-on activities, arts, and group games. Our staff includes expert naturalists and experienced counselors. Location(s) of Program(s) Headlands Institute programs are offered at our campus on Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands. All programs are based at our Fort Chronkite Campus, adjacent to Rodeo Beach, in the Marin Headlands. Pre and post-trip programs are offered to participating schools. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs Environmental Educator Training Program: Come to the Marin Headland's beautiful seashore for a week-long training for teachers and educators July 28 - August 1 or August 11 - 15. For more information, call Melissa Meiris at 415-332-5771 ext. 16.
Coastal Camp at Headlands Institute
Holy Family Day Home holyfamilydayhome.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children
Holy Family Day Home provides affordable, high quality early educational child care in a stable and nurturing environment, thereby offering the children of working
families a sound foundation for lifelong development, and continuing a tradition established by the Sisters of the Holy Family. We provide:
Visit our Events page Into the Great Outdoors www.intothegreatoutdoors.comProgram(s) Offered for Children "Get Ready" DVD and 52-page companion and activity book plus CD set, invites pre-k through 4th grade kids to join Chipper on an animated and live action adventure that excites and readies kids for camping, hiking and exploring nature. Music, mishap and humor deliver playful lessons like: "You can play, but don't stray." Location(s) of Program(s) We are correlated to national standards for content, which support pre-k through 4th. We offer an educational tool for teachers and community leaders and provide discounts and sampling materials for events and fundraisers, and class programs. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs We are working on a program for young children under six to ready them for outdoor play and learning. LandPaths www.landpaths.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children In Our Own Backyard (IOOBY) is an outdoor education program for schoolchildren ages 2nd grade to 12th grade. Classes "adopt" publicly protected open spaces in their watershed, throughout Sonoma County. Classes visit their adopted site 4 times throughout the school year, each visit focusing on a different theme: Discovery and Exploration, Watershed, Habitat and Stewardship. We currently work with 15 schools in Sonoma County and 26 classes. Age Groups & Grade Level The schools/grades we serve: Alexander Valley:3rd grade; Brook Hill: 5th grade; Cali Calmecac: 6th grade; Doyle Park: 3rd grade; Flowery: 3rd grade; Helen Lehman: 6th; Hidden Valley: 6th; Kawana: 6th; Lincoln: 2nd, 3rd, 4th; Parkside: 4th; Pine Crest: 3rd, 4th 5th; Roseland: 5th; Sheppard: 3rd; Steele Lane: 3rd; Windsor High: 11th, 12th. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Las Galinas Valley Sanitary District www.lgvsd.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children LGVSD is dedicated to promoting pollution prevention awareness to our students and school. Marin County students from kindergarten to high school can benefit from the resources available from us. Resources range from books to CD-ROMs, call 415-472-1734, ext. 14 for availability. In our on-going effort in promoting pollution prevention in our schools, we have added educational programs, which cover a variety of water-quality related topics. See below for specific programs that are offered, or email us for further info. Habitat Restoration and Pollution Prevention Day: (Grade 1) Full day field trip at LGVSD rebuilding and preserving a monarch butterfly habitat and learning about pollution in our waterways. Wetlands Day: (Grade 3) Full day fieldtrip at LGVSD covering habitats, wildlife and wastewater issues. Water and California Resources Day: (Grade 4) Full day fieldtrip at LGVSD covering environmental reclaimed water issues, habitat gardens and hands-on fieldwork. In-Class Presentations: (Grade 3-5) Site visit to classroom covering stormwater and wastewater issues. Tours: (Any grade level) A walking tour of treatment facility and habitat gardens. School bus subsidizing may be available. Marin Agricultural and Education Alliance www.groups.ucanr.org/GIM/Marin_Agricultural_and_Education_AllianceProgram(s) Offered for Children Founded in 1998, MAEA is a collaborative of agriculture and education agencies working together to promote agricultural literacy for a sustainable food system. Environmental Education Council of Marin acts as fiscal agent for MAEA at this time. Member agencies include the Environmental Education Council of Marin, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Marin County Farm Bureau, Marin County Office of Education, Marin Food Systems Project, Marin Organic, Slide Ranch, The Bay Institute, University of California Cooperative Extension, Regenerative Design Institute, Marin Montessori School, Marin Conservation Corps, Marin Master Gardeners, Environmental Traveling Companions, Marin County Farmers Market Association, Laurel Dell Elementary School, Windrush Farm, Devils Gulch Ranch, Walker Creek Ranch, Green Gulch Farm and the College of Marin. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) www.malt.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children MALT was the first land trust in the United States to focus on farmland preservation. Founded in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists to preserve farmland in Marin County, California, MALT acquires agricultural conservation easements on farmland in voluntary transactions with landowners. MALT also encourages public policies that support and enhance agriculture. It is a model for agricultural land preservation efforts across the nation. MALT has so far permanently protected more than 40,000 acres of land on 62 family farms and ranches. Our hikes, tours, and talks visit some of the farmers and ranchers profiled in the book Marin Farm Families—Stories & Recipes. Their lives revolve around the rhythms and tempos of Marin agriculture. Some are ranchers with thousands of acres of land and a legacy spanning three or four generations; others are first-generation growers leasing land and making their own history, one day at a time. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Manor School www.bay.org/virtualsummit06/Manor/Honda.htmProgram(s) Offered for Children Manor School Green Team Program The Green Team is a lunchtime program for third through fifth graders. The Green Team implements their Seven Actions and educates the Manor School community about these Seven Actions. The Actions are 1. Composting 2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 3. Be Water Wise 4. Be Energy Efficient 5. Clean Up after Yourself and Others 6. Be Waste Free 7. Create and maintain a clean and safe habitat for the wildlife we share our schoolyard and nature trail with. The Green Team implements these Seven Actions by monitoring composting and recycling at lunch time, making weekly Green Team "Reminders of the Week" at Wednesday Welcome, adopting all of the classrooms at Manor school to teach about the Seven Actions, working on the habitat restorations at lunch time and on a weekend restoration, writing articles for the newsletter and much more. All kindergarten through second grade students are welcome to be on the Junior Green Team. The younger students help to keep the schoolyard clean and safe for everyone by cleaning up after themselves and others and learning about and following the Seven Actions. This fall the fourth and fifth graders will be starting an after school Club. The after school program will allow time for the older students to conduct a native bee nature study and help maintain the school yard "Pocket of Habitats", as well as other projects that the students want to focus on. Age Groups & Grade Level Grades 4-5. Marin Agricultural Land Trust www.malt.orgMission Statement: To educate the public about the importance of preserving farmland in Marin County and cultivate a positive image of agriculture and Marin Agricultural Land Trust. Marin Art and Garden Center www.magc.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children "Exploring Habitats": field trips for first- and second-grade classes In this standards-based field trip, students explore the garden in small groups with docents who teach at four stations: Compost, Woodland, Pond, and Butterfly Garden. Students engage in hands-on activities such as: turning over a stone to find pill bugs; digging through the worm bins; collecting seeds, flowers and leaves; discovering an egg or pupa of a butterfly; dipping in the pond for creatures in the water. "Pollen Nation": field trips for fourth-grade classes In this standards-based field trip, students learn about pollination ecology and other plant-animal interactions with hands-on activities, arts and crafts, and games. "After-school Gardening Camp" A hands-on program for individual children of elementary school age. Participants explore our habitat garden to learn all the creatures that make up a healthy ecosystem; learn botany and plant families; learn how to create a native garden to attract local wildlife; make compost from worms; collect seeds; and create garden- related crafts and make garden-related holiday gifts "Family Gardening Program" A program for children ages 6-11 and a parent. Parents and children participate in hands-on gardening and seasonal, nature-related crafts, learn about local ecology and habitats, and take home the ability to create and care for a sustainable edible habitat garden. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin Conservation Corps www.marincc.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children
Develop youth and conserve natural resources for a strong, sustainable community. We achieve our mission by:
Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin County Day School www.mcds.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Our School is a Community That...
Our mission encapsulates our aspirations and frames our planning. As we launch Strategic Plan 2006 we strive to continue to provide children with strong foundational skills and to equip them for 21st century citizenship in an increasingly complex and interdependent world. We invite you to learn more about MCDS, our core values, our program and our commitment to creating a community that is welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin County Outdoor School at Walker Creek Ranch www.walkercreekranch.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Walker Creek Ranch is located on 1,741 acres in pristine West Marin County about one hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is blessed with diverse habitat and an abundance of wildlife. It is an ideal venue for an outdoor school, conference center and summer camp. All of the students at the Outdoor School will have the opportunity to visit and engage in activities in the Ranch Garden, which is now producing delicious organic vegetables year round. Conference guests are welcome to take a walk through the garden as well, and hopefully sample some of our fresh produce in the Dining Hall. The trails, low elements challenge course, and water front facility are available to conference groups. Age Groups & Grade Level Grades 5-6. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin County Parks & Open Space www.marinparks.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Interpretive Naturalist David Herlocker leads a variety of naturalist-led outings and walks. David's contact information: (415) 499-3647, dherlocker@co.marin.ca.us. NATURALIST OUTINGS: These outings are offered as a service to people who wish to enjoy the diverse natural wonders of Marin County. Come to learn, or come to share what you know about Marin's plants, animals and wild places. The outings cover many topics; some are specific, others are more general, but we never fail to marvel at whatever natural wonders we encounter. Binoculars, a pocket sized magnifying lens, and your favorite field guide(s) are recommended. Plant lists are available for many locations we visit. Most of the outings are moderately paced and cover less than five miles; walks that are longer or more strenuous are noted. FAMILY NATURALIST WALKS: These walks are dedicated to serving families that want to get out and enjoy nature together. Join us and discover the beauty of Marin's open spaces with families just like yours. Bring your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, neighbors or any other inquisitive youngster in your life who needs a deeper connection to nature. This is not a "drop off" program, we want you to stay and enjoy the experience too. These walks will not be formal, no lectures or lesson plans. We will set out to search for natural wonders and share what we find with one another. VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS: Volunteer Coordinator Greg Reza leads monthly (and sometimes weekly) workdays focused on restoring native habitat and conducting land stewardship activities to help us take care of our lands. Greg's contact information: (415) 499-3778, greza@co.marin.ca.us. Workdays provide something to do for everyone in your family. Some events are small and others are large, often including one or more of our many partners including the Green Gorillas, Save The Bay, local schools and different community-based organizations. We work all over our lands, from the ocean, wetlands and creeks, to hillsides, ridges and trails. RANGER EVENTS: Our Parks and Open Space Ranger staff lead a wide variety of ranger-guided events, including: campfires, story-telling, nature photography, interpretive hikes and walks, wildlife lectures, family bike rides, fitness mountain bike rides, picnics, BBQs, fishing derbies, "how-to-fish" classes, trail manners for our four-legged friends, skateboard competitions, horseback rides, and many more. Most of these events are for the entire family. Age Groups & Grade Level All ages. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program www.mcstoppp.orgMission Statement: MCSTOPPP is a joint effort of Marin's cities, towns and unincorporated areas to prevent stormwater pollution, protect and enhance water quality in creeks and wetlands, preserve beneficial uses of local waterways, and comply with State and Federal regulations. MCSTOPPP is administered by the Marin County Department of Public Works/Flood Control District. The goal is to encourage public involvement in reducing the amount of pollutants entering the municipal storm drain system. Marin History Museum www.marinhistory.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children 2009 – 2010 museum exhibition on the history of farming in Marin County, including sustainable and organic farming practices and the history of Marin's land trusts. Exhibit opens February 7th, 2009. Location(s) of Program(s) We offer classroom visits. Age Groups & Grade Level Focus is on 3rd grade local history; however, we schedule small group tours with all ages. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Marin Montessori School www.marinmontessori.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Pre-K through 9th Grade Montessori School. Junior High Level (7th through 9th grade) is a land based program. We provide a combination of rigorous intellectual development and hands-on learning within the context of a land-based school site. Habitat restoration, organic farming, community building, micro-economics, and ecologically responsible resource development are some of the project themes for the junior high students. Location(s) of Program(s) Our school has two campuses, one in Corte Madera and one in San Rafael. Our Corte Madera campus is set on a natural bay estuary and our San Rafael campus is a historic agricultural site surrounded by protected watershed and endangered native plant species. Age Groups & Grade Level Pre-K though 9th Grade. Marin Sanitary Service: Recycling and Resource Recovery Centers www.marinsanitary.comProgram(s) Offered for Children Year-round tours of Recycling and Resource Recovery facilities. Location(s) of Program(s) Program begins in Environmental Classroom at address above. Age Groups & Grade Level All grade levels and adults welcome. Marin Treks www.marintreks.comProgram(s) Offered for Children Marin Treks offers unique outdoor educational adventures for you, your family and your friends. Nature lovers will enjoy this 2-hour naturalist guided hike. We will study local ecology, identify plants and animals, search for insects and learn about adaptations, the food web, the nutrient cycle and other natural processes. Children will be excited to use our nets and containers to catch specimens for identification and study. Of course, we'll look and learn but never take any animal away from its natural habitat as we teach children to "leave no trace" when enjoying the outdoors. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Mary Silveira Elementary www.marysilveira.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children It is the mission of Mary E. Silveira School to help each and every child realize his or her full potential with opportunities that guide academic, social, emotional and physical development. Our commitment is to create an environment that engages students in academic work that helps them become responsible and productive citizens who are lifelong learners. We recognize and celebrate the diversity, strengths and inquisitive spirit of every child. We are prepared to work collaboratively with colleagues, students and parents to achieve this shared educational purpose; instilling in children the belief that they can change the world…and have fun doing it. A program that is unique to Silveira is EcoStars. EcoStars are children, staff and parents working together to transform areas of the school grounds into educational resources or outdoor classrooms. The aim is to go beyond simply beautifying and move towards using the school grounds as an educational tool for students. Of central importance to the project is the creation of a sense of place and community and enabling the community to take stewardship of the site. Examples of EcoStar projects include garden, composting system, pond habitat and creek restoration projects. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Mill Valley Children's Garden Edna Maguire School PTA www.ednamaguire.org/garden.htmlProgram(s) Offered for Children Located in Mill Valley, California, at Edna Maguire Public Elementary School, the Mill Valley Children's Garden is a 1/3 acre outdoor classroom laboratory. The garden is a hands-on treasure for both curriculum-based teaching and exploratory creative experimentation - it is a "textbook come to life." Through the Children's Garden, children learn botany, ecology, math, science, language arts, creative arts, stewardship of the land, community service, and much more. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.noaa.govProgram(s) Offered NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it. Nature Tots www.naturetots.comProgram(s) Offered for Children 5-week class sessions (meet for one hour per week) with various themes such as "insects and spiders", "birds", "the senses", "trees", etc. Location(s) of Program(s) Spring Lake regional park, Santa Rosa; Fairfield Osborn Preserve, Penngrove; and possibly more to come. Age Groups & Grade Level Preschoolers ages 2-5. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Next Generation www.gonextgeneration.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Sustainability and environmental education, leadership development, and helping schools to green their operations. Location(s) of Program(s) In schools and at special events throughout Marin County. Age Groups & Grade Level K-12. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page North Bay Children's Center www.nbcc.net/gardenProgram(s) Offered for Children The Garden of Eatin' Project is an Early Childhood Education based program where our youngest children and their families learn about health and nutrition through an integrated, hands-on nutritional curriculum. We believe that the lessons learned in our programs can lay the foundation for a lifetime of good health. NBCC’s Garden of Eatin’ program has been recognized by the California State Legislature, Marin County Board of Supervisors and the National Garden Association as a project of exceptional community value. Since the project’s inception, the children have vastly increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables. The Garden of Eatin’ is widely recognized throughout the North Bay for its innovation, accomplishments and leadership in childhood obesity prevention. The Garden of Eatin' Project now includes 9 Early Childhood Education in the North Bay region-- including two centers operated by NBCC in Petaluma (Cherry Valley and McDowell Children's Center) plus centers run by Marin Head Start and Community Action Marin. As of June 2008, the Garden of Eatin' program services a combined population of approximately 485 children with over 90% of those children coming from low-income families. Age Groups & Grade Level Birth to 5+ after school care and summer programs for elementary school children. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Oakland Zoo www.oaklandzoo.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The Oakland Zoo is a non-profit organization, managed by the East Bay Zoological Society. Founded in 1922 by Henry Snow, the Zoo has been located in its current Knowland Park location since 1936. Nestled in the rolling hills of 525-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland off Highway 580, and is home to more than 440 native and exotic animals. Programs offered:
Visit our Events page Point Reyes Bird Observatory - Conservation Science www.prbo.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Grade 1–12 Bird Science Education Programs (classroom and field). Location(s) of Program(s) PRBO's Science Education Programs include both classroom and field settings. Dependent on funding, we serve schools in Sonoma, Marin and San Francisco counties. Our focus includes schools in underserved communities including San Rafael’s Canal Community, and San Francisco and Petaluma city schools. We also work closely with teachers and classes involved in the STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) Program. Our field programs includes visits to PRBO's mist-netting and bird banding research sites in West Marin as well as visits to school campus’ and local watersheds. Age Groups & Grade Level Grades 1 – 12 and university groups. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs We offer monthly bird walks for the public typically the first weekend of the month at various Bay Area sites and habitats featuring or connecting with PRBO's research.
Visit our Events page Point Reyes National Seashore Association - Clem Miller Environmental Education Center www.ptreyes.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children We are the primary non-profit park partner working with the community to fund and implement preservation projects throughout the park and educate people about the environment. Find out how our exciting programs can enhance your Point Reyes experience and how you can help us build a stronger future for the only National Seashore on the West Coast. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Point Reyes National Seashore Association - Point Reyes Field Seminars www.ptreyes.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children 1. Awesome Avians What is the difference between a raptor and a robin? Hands-on investigations will bring us face-to-face with real bird skins, skulls, bones, feathers and owl pellets! After making your very own bird field guide, we will hit the trail in search of our feathered friends. Bring your favorite young person and join us for an interactive and fun day of observing, investigating, learning and playing games that teach us about migration, feeding strategies and field identification. 2. Halloween Howl — Animal Stories of Old Join us on this hallowed night, as we walk along without a light. On a darkened path we will creep, to a secret spot where legends keep. We will hear some stories and cast a spell, within the glen where spirits dwell. Come join us here, if you are so bold, to share enchanting tales of old! 3. Owls & Other Critters of Point Reyes This class will be fun for the whole family as we look at the birds, mammals, and other animals that call Point Reyes home. Starting with a lively visit from Wookie, the Hungry Owl Project’s Barn Owl, we will learn what owls eat, how they live and how to protect and encourage them. We will learn to identify some of the other owls of the park, too. After a hands-on look at resident animal skins and birds, we will go for a short hike in the gathering and magical dusk of "owl light." We will listen for owls, search for tracks and see who wants to be seen. We will finish the evening with a story circle to learn more about the critters we have encountered. Location(s) of Program(s) Point Reyes Age Groups & Grade Level For the highest quality educational experience, some of our family classes are geared for a specific age group. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Practical Martial Arts - Marin Karate Kids www.practicalmartialarts.netProgram(s) Offered for Children Environmental Self-Defense For Tom Callos, a martial arts teacher with 25 years of experience, self-defense means more than knowing how to protect yourself in an altercation. He believes taking care of Mother Earth is the ultimate form of self-defense and personal protection. Consequently, he is now forming a national group of concerned martial arts instructors interested in taking steps to teach self-defense from an environmental perspective. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that asthma; cancer, respiratory diseases, waterborne diseases, birth defects, developmental defects and learning disorders may result from exposure to environmental contaminants. Callos agrees, he’s already been joined by 66 black-belt instructors from around the world—participants in his advanced instructor-training program, called The Ultimate Black Belt Test—and they’ve pledged to begin teaching their students how to protect themselves by protecting the environment. The first step in the group's campaign is to walk the walk. Each instructor will perform an environmental cleanup project this year as part of his next rank test. "We will start with little steps," Callos says. "We're going to add some environmentally friendly tasks students can perform as they earn their belt ranks—like conserving water, recycling and using fewer chemicals at home." Mike and Karen Valentine of Practical Martial Arts - Marin Karate Kids were the first to implement this program with their students. "The response has been wonderful. The kids and families really are seeing the connection between their actions and the world - especially with our beach clean-ups. Picking up straws, to-go containers, juice boxes and all sort of other disposables used on a daily basis brings things into perspective," say the Valentines. "Plus, we all have a great time outdoors together!" Location(s) of Program(s) Teaching takes place inside the dojo mostly except for our Beach Clean-ups and Coastal Clean-up Day Events, which are at Muzzi Marsh, Gallinas Creek & Fort Baker so far. Field trips have been to the Marin Sanitary Service to learn about where our trash and recycling go. Students are required to perform and document various acts of kindness toward our environment for their rank advancement. Age Groups & Grade Level Ages 4/Pre-k through High School. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page REI's PEAK Program - Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids www.rei.comProgram(s) Offered for Children This program is a free opportunity to teach your students how to enjoy, and care for, the outdoors. At your request, REI will send its staff to your classroom (or center) to give a hands-on interactive program on camping and Leave No Trace principles. Age Groups & Grade Level The program can be geared to most age groups. Make sure your students learn how to have fun outside in an environmentally-responsible way. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary richardsonbay.audubon.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Our educational programs take the natural world as it happens around us and infuses it with the best practices in teaching and environmental studies. Our fresh and fun curricula are guided by developmentally appropriate activities aligned with California's Science Content Standards. We offer school-year field trips for pre-K through 6th grade as well as seasonal camps during school break and summer. We also have pre-k programs as described below. 1. Sandpipers (children 3-4) Beginning this Fall, children ages 3-4, accompanied by their grown-up, will be able to explore our Sanctuary through this special program designed specifically for the littlest naturalists. Sandpipers will meet twice a month on weekday mornings. 2. Plovers (pre-K children ages 4.5 to 5) Your young explorers will hike our trails, play games, track wildlife, search the skies for birds, follow the water cycle and look under every rock or log for the very cool creatures that live there. This program meets weekly for 8-10 90-minute sessions. 1. Sandpipers (children 3-4) Bird Watcher Program (Marin Audubon) for K-5 (will be K-8 next school year) Students can do this individually or the program can be done by a whole class. Last year students from Park School in Mill Valley, St. Rita in Fairfax, Bacich in Greenbrae, and Brookside in San Anselmo became Junior Bird Watchers. If a whole class is participating, I go out to the schools. If individual students or home schoolers want to participate, I test them at a local library. The program is taught by a classroom teacher. Testing is free of charge. Marin Audubon issues certificates to students who pass. Field trips are available for a fee. Contact Wendy Dreskin by phone (415) 457-3949 or email. Location(s) of Program(s) Richardson Bay. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Romberg Center for Wilderness Therapy www.rtc.sfsu.eduProgram(s) Offered for Children Advancing the understanding of the world’s complex marine and estuarine environments through research, education and outreach, with a focus on San Francisco Bay. The Romberg Tiburon Center is committed to highlighting the importance of marine environments to the public by sharing our scientific expertise through education and outreach activities. We reach a local audience ranging from children to adults, students to teachers, in both formal and informal settings. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN) www.spawnusa.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Salmon are keystone species of coastal streams and rivers of the West, and their protection is intimately tied the health of the watersheds where they spawn. Solutions to ensure their recovery must address the root causes of environmental degradation. The Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), a community-based watershed organization, uses existing science-based research as the foundation for its grassroots education and action, hands-on conservation, innovative media strategies, and conservation-research projects. SPAWN activities include: Habitat Restoration, Fish Rescue, Citizen Training, Creek Monitoring, Creek Walks, Rainwater Catchment Program, Land Acquisition. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page San Rafael Clean www.sanrafaelclean.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children School Litter and Recycling Education for San Rafael Schools. We bring a variety of options to educate about litter and recycling, from a one-time 20-minute assembly to a series of 60-minute classroom visits, which includes games, a testing component and a classroom service-learning project. Age Groups & Grade Level Geared toward ages 6-10, 1st through 5th grade. The one-time assembly format is available for older youth groups. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Coastal Cleanup Day, September 20 Save the Bay www.savesfbay.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Save The Bay's award-winning Watershed Education Programs, allow students to discover the natural treasure that defines our region: San Francisco Bay. We offer middle and high school students and teachers environmental education experiences on the Bay and in their schools. 1. Canoes In Sloughs Canoes In Sloughs opens students' eyes to a completely new world through an on-the-water learning experience that helps them gain knowledge about and respect for nature and the Bay. In 2001, the program was awarded U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer's Excellence in Education Award. 2. Restoration Programs Hands-on stewardship projects, community-based restoration that engages students in wetland restoration to restore the health and diversity of the Bay ecosystem. Age Groups & Grade Level All ages. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Save the Redwoods League www.savetheredwoods.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has worked to protect the ancient redwood forest. Our Education Program seeks to encourage more people of diverse backgrounds to experience and protect our unique redwood forest ecosystems. We help connect people of all ages to these majestic trees through the many place-based programs we sponsor and other outreach efforts. We offer a variety of redwood education materials for both children and adults. For example, the Redwoods series introduces students to one of our greatest natural treasures – the ancient coast redwood forest. Students find these materials friendly and easy to use. Teachers are delighted to discover that they complement current standard curriculum for grades K-12. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page School Environmental Education Docents www.ecoed.netMission Statement: To enhance environmental education of students through the use of trained volunteers and community resources; to encourage students to develop a sense of interconnection, respect and appreciation for all life forms through experiential (hands-on) projects designed to reinforce ecological responsibility in the community. Slide Ranch www.slideranch.orgProgram(s) Offered for K-12 Children For a lot of kids in the Bay Area, nature and the environment seem like distant things that just are not relevant in their busy lives. That is why there is Slide Ranch on the Marin coast. Spend the day in the organic garden, milk a goat and visit the chickens. Kids connect with nature and learn about the growing of healthy food and their interdependence in the environment. Annually over 8,000 Bay Area residents, many of them children participate in three primary Slide Ranch programs: Family Programs, Group Programs and Summer Day Camp. Slide Ranch Programs bring learning to life with hands-on education activities on a working farm. Slide Ranch uses its organic gardens and animals to teach an appreciation of where fresh healthy food comes from, and to inspire a lifestyle that includes growing and preparing nutritious foods, getting plenty of exercise, and an appreciating the sustainable use of natural resources. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Sea Training Institute grettasail@aol.comMission Statement: Dedicated to teaching the awareness of our maritime heritage and our marine environment. By fostering character development through traditional sailing skills, by furnishing knowledge and understanding of our marine ecology, students can make a positive contribution to our environment. Strategic Energy Innovations www.seiinc.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children Strategic Energy Innovations' programs link underserved organizations and groups to the resources that can help them reduce their impact on the Earth — and save money by using energy and resources more efficiently. SEI programs support Eco-Smart Schools and Universities, Green Housing and Sustainable Communities. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed), a project of the Bay Institute www.bay.orgProgram(s) Offered for K-12 Children Riparian restoration, wetlands/watershed education inside and outside the classroom (dependent on teacher's needs). Location(s) of Program(s) Throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties (and branching into Napa). Exact locations are determined by a collaboration between teachers and STRAW staff. This may include visits by STRAW to the school or trips to outdoor locations. A teacher's work with STRAW is an ongoing process that involves commitment from both the teacher and STRAW staff. We prefer to maintain a continuous relationship with our teachers and encourage them to participate in our annual events. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs We offer an annual training session in watershed education to our participating teachers that we call Watershed Week. This happens in late summer and serves as an introduction to the following school year and the programs we offer. We also hold seasonal network events for our teachers to meet and reflect on the work they have done in collaboration with STRAW.
Visit our Events page Tamalpais Union High School District www.tamdistrict.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The mission of the Tamalpais Union High School District is to challenge students to broaden and deepen their learning experiences, to aspire to the passionate pursuit of excellence, and to develop as thinking and caring individuals who will leave our schools with the skills to be lifelong learners and to succeed in their personal, academic and professional lives. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Teacher with the Bus www.teacherwiththebus.comProgram(s) Offered for Children Whoever you are you will find that we combine mobility, sustainability, creativity, energy, education and entertainment to create fun-driven "viral" learning experiences. We return our participants with unique memories and fresh ideas that extend beyond transportation and eco-friendliness. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page The Marine Mammal Center www.tmmc.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children The Center's education programs include scheduled school groups and informal education for visitors at PIER 39 in San Francisco (home of the world-famous sea lions), and outreach to schools through our Whale Bus. Volunteer docents and instructors make it possible to share our understanding of marine mammals and their ocean home with people of all ages. Training for our Education Volunteers take place every year in August. Gain valuable teaching skills, learn about marine mammals and interact with a diverse audience as you share the stories of our patients. Age Groups & Grade Level All programs are adapted to your group's age/grade level. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page The Wilderness Within www.wildernesswithin.comProgram(s) Offered for Children The Wilderness Within offers wilderness trips that seek to expand awareness around our relationship with nature, and to explore life's deeper questions in a fun and meaningful way. We offer trips for adults, families, parents, schools, graduating seniors, university students, youth, businesses, fraternities, individuals seeking therapy interventions, professionals seeking training, and private groups. Our programs are unique because the participants play an active part in the design of their own adventures. Clients work with their guides and peers to co-create their personalized wilderness experience. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Transportation and Land Use Coalition www.transcoalition.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children TALC is a partnership of over 90 groups working for a sustainable and socially just Bay Area. We envision a region with healthy, vibrant, walkable communities that provide all residents with transportation choices and affordable housing. TALC analyzes county and regional policies, works with community groups to develop alternatives and coordinates grassroots campaigns. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Trips for Kids www.tripsforkids.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children With the help of hundreds of volunteers, many thousands of disadvantaged kids from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area can experienced the natural world from the seat of a mountain bike. The bicycle thrift shop, Re-Cyclery provides affordable transportation for Bay Area residents and funds 58% of the programs' costs. The Earn-a-Bike program teaches valuable life skills and providing a respite from the street.
Age Groups & Grade Level All ages. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page University of California Cooperative Extension - 4-H Youth Development cemarin.ucdavis.eduProgram(s) Offered for Children Camp, mini day camp and outdoor projects by club. Members participate in learn-by-doing activities, youth-adult partnerships and research-based educational programs to help enhance their leadership abilities and develop a wide range of other life skills. 4-H develops leadership/citizenship skills; provides life skills education; strengthens youth-families-communities; and advances the field of youth development Members may participate in clubs, special interest groups, camp or other program settings. A minimum of 6 hours of education is required. Leadership and community service opportunities are available at the county, regional, state and national levels. Location(s) of Program(s) Activities are typically implemented within local 4-H clubs as projects, or through special countywide projects at specific times and locations. Age Groups & Grade Level Youth 5-9 are welcomed as primary members; youth 9-19 are welcomed as full-fledged 4-H members. Upcoming Events or Seasonal Programs
Visit our Events page Wildcare/Terwillinger Nature Center www.wildcaremarin.orgProgram(s) Offered for Children WildCare offers a variety of educational opportunities for kids ages three through 17. Our Terwilliger Nature Van offers standards based programs to schools in the nine bay area counties. The Nature Van comes to your school and presents one of eight different programs for students in pre-school through 6th grade. These are mulit-sensory programs offering the students the chance to get up close and feel our taxidermy animals and other biofacts. WildCare also offers field trips at four sites in Marin County and one site in Sonoma County. The field trips are an excellent way for students to get out of the classroom and in touch with nature. The trips are lead by volunteer Terwilliger Nature Guides. Field trips are for students in grades K-5th. Student groups can also come to WildCare and receive a guided tour of our courtyard and museum, visiting all of our Wildlife Ambassadors that make WildCare their home. This is a great chance for kids to learn more about some native CA wildlife while learning the importance of living well with wildlife and the consequences to the animals when humans and animals interact. These tours are generally for pre-school through 5th grade. In the spring, summer and winter WildCare offers Nature Camps for kids as young as three to those entering 7th grade. Nature camps are a great way for kids to have fun while learning about nature and wildlife. The winter camp takes place at WildCare, with our spring and summer camps meeting at both WildCare and hikes sites nearby. Check our website regularly for up-to-date information on camps. If live animals are the thing your group is craving, WildCare has also started a Live Animal presentation program with the ambassador animals that live here at WildCare. We bring up to three animals to your site and give as many as two 90 minute presentations. This program is only available on Tuesday and the site must be within a one hour drive from WildCare for grades 2nd-10th. For older students, ages 12-17, who want to get a hands-on experience of what it is like caring for wild animals, we have a student volunteer program. In this program students learn how much hard work it is to work in a rehab hospital. As the students’ expertise grows, they have the opportunity to take care of the ambassador animals that live here |
