The Watershed Watch Campaign recognizes that today’s students are tomorrow’s watershed stewards. Local organizations and Watershed Watch Campaign partners offer field trips or educational programs related to watersheds and environmental science, so your students can experience hands-on learning in creeks, rivers, parks and more!
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) of San Jose provides a two-hour visit for school field trips. CDM is a hands-on museum with over 150 interactive exhibits and programs that provide children an opportunity to touch, explore and investigate what they see around them. Guided tours are not available, but chaperones and students are encouraged to explore and discover at their own pace. For group reservations information, visit the field trips page on their website.
City of Sunnyvale
Learn more about watershed protection, water pollution prevention and water conservation. Find community resources, rebate programs and more. For more information about our Environmental Education Program with schools, call 408-730-7717 or email green@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Have you discovered the joys of teaching in the outdoors? Would you like expert assistance in teaching your students about ecology, wetlands, and the environment? Bring your class to one of the nation’s largest urban wildlife refuges for your next field trip. The SCVURPPP-funded Watershed Watchers Program offers several options that are sure to engage your class!
Guadalupe River Park & Gardens
The Guadalupe River Park & Gardens is a natural oasis in the middle of downtown San Jose that connects nature with science, history, art and recreation. They offer several different field trips; including a River Field Trip. Every River Field Trip includes a Nature Walk along the Guadalupe River Trail and grade-specific activities designed to incorporate Next Generation Science Standards. There is a fee for the field trips and transportation is not included.
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
Let your group go wild with one of Happy Hollow’s fantastic group programs. Now, in person or via Zoom, we bring the zoo to you as part of our commitment to wildlife conservation and education. Book a live animal encounter and presentation with Happy Hollow Park & Zoo!
Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
On tours of the Water Quality Control Plant, students learn about how water pollution affects plants and animals in local creeks. They participate in activities to discover how pollution from urban areas ends in the creeks and how they can reduce water pollution. Tour guides also demonstrate the relationships between creeks, wetlands, and the watershed. To schedule a tour, see the City of Palo Alto’s updated Plant Tour Request Form and Guidelines or call (650) 329-2598.
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
Field trips include visiting the Coyote Creek Field Station to learn about the bird banding program that volunteers and scientists use for research. They also offer a curriculum on “Threats to Migratory Birds.” Please visit the website to learn more about current offerings.
Santa Clara County Parks
Let Santa Clara County Parks bring your nature and history lessons to life! Take part in a guided program at a local County Park or historic site, or become a Junior Ranger!. Park staff offer activities online and in the parks throughout the year. For program options and information, visit the “Programs and Events” section of the website.
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
SCVAS is dedicated to educating the Bay Area community about our diverse local bird ecology through many programs for both children and adults, including field trips, classes and more.
Valley Water
The Santa Clara Valley Water District offers a full range of educational programs for both teachers and students. They offer online learning tools, and in-person, hands-on learning experiences that meet state standards. All activities are geared for specific grade levels from pre-kindergarten to college. As an additional resource for teachers, the district offers in-service training sessions and free supplemental materials for all classes in Santa Clara County. For more information, contact Elizabeth Park at education@valleywater.org
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