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Education
Program overview
Birding Classes
Outdoor Adventures
Program
Teacher Resources
Nature Discovery
Kits
Audubon
Naturalist Program
Junior
Naturalist Program
Nature
Day Camps
Group
Tours
Seasons of Nature
Spring
Brunch at SJWS
Bat
Walks
Audubon
Wildlife Photos
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Education
Program
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Sea
and Sage Audubon seeks to protect birds and their habitats
through conservation, science and education. We provide
outstanding environmental programs such as Audubon
Outdoor Adventures science program for 4th -6th
grade classes, Nature Day Camps, Bat Walks, Group Tours,
Seasons of Nature, Art Meets Science, and more at the
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. Come join
us this year and learn more about the natural world
which surrounds us. |
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Bird
Walk around the ponds with binoculars
photo by Jim Gallagher
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| Outdoors
Adventures Program: |
| Developed in 1992,
this outdoor discovery program has received high praise from
local educators, and is used as a national model of excellence
by the National Audubon Society. The 2-hour interactive program
is designed for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes, and is offered
on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. The program
fee of $5 per student includes a copy of Birds of the San
Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for each student, plus the loan
of our teacher Field Trip Curriculum Kit. For program details,
click here.
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| For additional program
information, to answer questions about the program, or to schedule
an Outdoor Adventures Program school tour for your class, contact
Trude Hurd, Project Director of Marsh Education, at
, or by telephone at 949-261-7964, or Deborah Brin, Trude's
assistant, at 949-261-7964. |
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Pond
Life Study with microscopes
photo by Jim Gallagher
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| Teachers'
Resources: |
| This resource
page for teachers includes information on Environmental
Educational Oppoortunities, the Outdoor Adventures Program,
and our great Nature Discovery Kits which may be checked out. |
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| Community
Tours: |
| Scout troops and
others will learn bird identification, bird migration and the
importance of wetlands while observing wild birds and mounted
bird specimens at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. The program
includes a naturalist-led, one-hour tour of the trails and Audubon
House, use of binoculars, and a copy of our 28 page illustrated
field guide "Birds of San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary"
for each participant. Advance reservations are required. For
more information on this program, click
here. To schedule a community tour, contact Helen Nicholas,
Coordinator for Community Tours, at
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| Summer
Bat Walks: |
| Come discover first-hand
that our freshwater wetland is a magical place at dusk. We begin
with a slide presentation by Stephanie Remington, a local bat
expert. We then take a short walk around the ponds to watch
the sun set, listen to night sounds, and smell the fresh scent
of sage plants. The highlight is locating two species of bats
that come in small numbers to the marsh to feed. These Irvine
events fill up quickly, so register early! 48-hour cancellation
notice required for refund. Please dress warmly, wear long sleeves
& pants, and use insect repellant. Seven
bat walks were scheduled for the summer of 2009; registration
began on March 1st and filled quickly. Our new schedule for
the summer of 2010 is not yet available. |
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| Nature
Day Camp program for 2010: |
| Our Summer
Nature Day Camps at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary help
children of age 7 and over develop an appreciation for wetlands
and wildlife through daily field walks, journal writing, and
hands-on activities and crafts. Children explore all aspects
of a bird's life in FLEDGLING CAMP, MARSH BIRD CAMP, BIRDS,
BUGS & BLOSSOMS, and ADVANCED BIRD CAMP. |
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| Birding
Classes: |
| A variety of classes
for adults and mature teenagers with their parents is offered
each year. Most of the classes are taught by Sylvia Gallagher
at her home in Huntington Beach. Click here
for information on the classes. |
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| Nature
Discovery Kits: |
| We
have 5 special Nature Discovery Kits for loan to educators:
Bats, Owls, Butterflies & Moths, Songbird Nests and Reptiles
& Amphibians. WE
DO NOT MAIL THE KITS OUT; THEY MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON.
A list of the contents of each kit can be found by clicking
on the name of the kit listed below. For more information about
these Nature Discovery Kits and how you can check one out, click
here. |
Bats
Owls
Butterflies
& Moths
Songbird
Nests
Reptiles
& Amphibians
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| Seasons
of Nature: |
Does Southern California
have seasons? Not according to folks living east of the Rockies,
but out here at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary we know better.
In January, April, July, and October a team of Audubon naturalists
spend the third Sunday morning proving to visitors of all ages
that seasons do indeed occur here. We take a careful look at
what’s happening with the plants, animals, insects, reptiles,
and birds of the marsh. How does the marsh cope with the heat
of July? Are the plants readying themselves for the coming rains
in October? Look at all the “snowbirds” that arrive
in January to enjoy the winter sunshine. No April showers for
our marsh; that’s the beginning of the dry season and
our plants are preparing for the heat of summer.
Seasons in southern California are subtle and not always easy
to spot, but our "seasoned" naturalists have become
experts in discovering and interpreting what goes on in the
marsh during the year. Come and join us. The next Seasons
of Nature walk will be Sunday morning, July 18th at 9:00
a.m. |
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| Spring
Brunch at the Marsh |
| How long has it
been since you've been to the marsh? Hopefully, most of you
have been there recently. But, in the off chance that you haven't
yet seen our new and expanded facility, you are invited to Brunch
at the Marsh. This event is also a unique opportunity to introduce
the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary to your friends or family
who have never been there. This is the 2nd spring that we have
offered a series of outdoor gourmet brunches at a fee of $24
per person (adults only). In addition to brunch, you will be
treated to a guided mini-tour of the Marsh so you and your guests
can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the Marsh in the
springtime. Check out our Spring
Brunch page for more information. The 2010 schedule is not
yet available. |
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| Audubon
Naturalists Program: |
Each year, our volunteer
naturalists share their love of nature with school children
at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. With enthusiasm, knowledge
and dedication, they help the children and their teachers understand
the importance of wetlands to both wildlife and people. These
volunteers help Sea & Sage to achieve its environmental
education goals. Many naturalists are retired teachers or principals.
Some have been involved with boy scouts or girl scouts. Others
work part-time and take two days off a month to lead tours.
A few volunteer with other groups such as The Nature Conservancy,
Upper Newport Bay, and Bower's Museum. Many have taken Sylvia
Gallagher's birding skills workshops. They are people just like
you. No matter what their background, they all share certain
traits. Most importantly, they believe that we should share
our love of nature and pass it on to the next generation. If
you believe in this and have some experience with children,
now is the time to step forward. We offer monthly one-day orientation
workshops for potential volunteers. For more information or
to sign up for an orientation workshop, contact Trude Hurd.
The workshops which run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the
Education Center (otherwise known as the Gray House) will share
important information and techniques about leading the Outdoor
Adventures science program for school children. New recruits
will then view and assist on tours with experienced naturalists.
Educating the next generation about nature is vital. Please
join our naturalist team in our important mission. Contact Trude
Hurd, Project Director of Education, by phone at 949-261-7964
or by e-mail at
. We hope you will join the Audubon Naturalists program. For
additional information, click here. |
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| Junior
Naturalists Program: |
| The Junior Naturalist
Program was established in 2001 in response to teenagers who
had attended Advanced Camp and wanted continuing activities
during the rest of the year. The purpose is to provide
enriched nature experiences, foster leadership skills, and provide
social contacts with other teens with similar interests in the
outdoors. The program is coordinated by adult Volunteer
Naturalists under the direction of Trude Hurd, Project Director
of Education, Sea and Sage Audubon. To find out more about this
program, click here. |
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| How
to get involved in the Education Program: |
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| Audubon
Wildlife Photos: |
| Sea and Sage Audubon
has a large collection of wildlife slides for loan; included
in the collection are photos of birds, reptiles, and mammals.
For full information, click here.
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