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Education

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

Bat Walks

Audubon Wildlife Photos

 

Our Education Program

  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.  
     
 
 
 

 

Bird Walk around the ponds with binoculars
photo by Jim Gallagher

 
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.
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.
 
 
 
Pond Life Study with microscopes
photo by Jim Gallagher
 
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.
 
Community Tours:
We are updating our Community Tour program and therefore not accepting any new tours at this time, until further notice. Please check back here to find out when we will begin re-offering these programs again. Thank you for your patience.
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.
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. Registration opens on March 1st and is expected to fill quickly.
 
Nature Day Camp program for 2011: 
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, COASTAL BIRD CAMP, and ADVANCED BIRD CAMP.
 
 
 
Marsh Bird Camp
 
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.
 
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


Monthly Wildlife Walks - 1st Sat. of each month:
 

The Seasons of Nature Walks now have a new name and are on a new schedule. They are now called "Wildlife Walks" and are scheduled on a monthly, instead of a quarterly, basis. They begin at 9:00 AM; those interested, should meet in front of Audubon House for the 1 1/2 hour nature walk.

Dates of these monthly walks are:

January 7 February 4 March 3 April 7 May 5 June 2
July 7 August 4 September 1 October 6 November 3 December 1
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
How to get involved in the Education Program:
 
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.

Spring Brunch at the Marsh
 
 

 


Last Modified January 13, 2012

Sea & Sage Audubon Society
PO Box 5447 • Irvine, CA 92616 • 949-261-7963

http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org