Education programs at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

A diverse class of children look through microscopes on a table set up outside in a forest

Teachers and educators can find many options for their students and classes at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

Lessons in a Trunk

Interested in premade lessons for your class? Check out one of our trunks. They are on a first-come, first-served basis, and check outs are for 2 weeks. Contact us via email at bearriver@fws.gov or call our main visitor center number at 435-723-5887.

Going Batty	Grades 3 and up	Get closer with the only mammal that can fly! This trunk contains lesson plans, activities, and crafts to keep students entertained and thrilled to learn about bats. Lesson plans can range from creating bat origami, making bats out of foam crafts, or learning about bat anatomy with skeletons and unique behaviors through books.	Image Details
Build-A-Bird	Grades 3 - 5	It’s for the birds! This trunk contains materials for, well … building a bird! Learn the crucial components of what makes each type of bird unique. This trunk will help kids learn general traits that all birds have and, depending on the bird’s lifestyle (habitat, diet, how they breed), they will have specific adaptations to help them survive	Image Details
Build-A-Frog	Grades K - 5	Find the fun in frogs! This trunk helps students learn what a frog is, what makes them unique, and the frog life cycle. There are also information sheets to help students learn the basic differences between amphibians and reptiles. Build-A-Frog Trunk Lesson Plan	Image Details
Bills & Beaks	Grades 3 - 4	This trunk helps students understand the concepts of adaptation and natural selection. They will use different tools figure out which beak or bill (tool) will fit the task of retrieving food.	Image Details
Build-A-Shorebird	Grades 1 - 4	She saw shorebirds at the seashore. Students will learn about the unique adaptations that shorebirds have developed to help them survive in the wild. They will also have firsthand experience at being a shore bird themselves as they learn what positive and negative things affect the birds. Build-A-Shorebird Lesson Plan	Image Details
Birds of Prey	Grades 3 and up	Why do raptors have so many adaptations and skills? Because they are talon-ted! Learn about some of the crucial adaptations these amazing birds have that help them to survive in almost every environment on the planet! This trunk contains lesson plans and activities on raptor vision, talons, and owl pellets. Supporting materials include raptor artifacts such as real feathers, talons, and skulls, and supporting books and crafts.	Image Details

Field Trips

Environmental education and interpretation are a vital part of what we do at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. A variety of programs and events are offered throughout the year. Groups are welcome, but please call the Refuge to make a reservation before your visit.

The Refuge offers multiple field trip options, depending on the season, which follow important state science curriculum standards and topics. All age groups are welcome and encouraged to attend a field trip at the Refuge. These programs are a great way to teach students about a host of ecological functions, the importance of wetlands, and the diversity of plant and animal life.

Topics:

Birds & Their Adaptations	Grades: K-2	The life of a bird is an incredible journey. Learn about some of the unique adaptation's birds have and their path from an egg to an adult.	Birds & Their Adaptations Lesson Plan
	Grades: 3-5	Learn about some of the ways birds prepare for migration and what their long journey entails. Explore some of the important habitat's birds depend on when traveling and witness actual birds in an important protected area originally designated for birds.
Wetland Ecology & Macroinvertebrates	Grades: K-2	Wetlands are essential habitats that benefit many different forms of life. Learn about some of the unique creatures that depend on the Refuge’s wetlands and witness them up-close while exploring the habitat.	Wetland Ecology & Macroinvertebrates Lesson Plan
	Grades: 3-5	Watersheds and the wetlands within them serve as essential homes and resources to both wildlife and humans. Discover the importance of watersheds and the role that humans play through the up-close exploration of a real wetland habitat.
Insects & Pollination	Grades: K-2	While all insects are bugs, not all bugs are insects. Learn about the physical characteristics that make up an insect and discover some of the incredible role's insects play in keeping the environment healthy.	Insects & Pollination Lesson Plan
	Grades: 3-5	Insects represent 70% of all animal species found on the planet. In fact, without them, humans and other animals would not be able to survive. Discover some of the species of insects that live at the Refuge and learn about the importance of pollination and how humans can support these essential creatures.

Teachers/Group Leaders - If you are planning a field trip with your school or students, PLEASE contact us in advance to schedule the trip as we are very busy with visiting groups throughout the year. Review this Program Guide to prepare for the questions we will ask. Here at the Refuge, we strive to give your students the best experience possible and would like an adequate amount of time to prepare for your group.

Self-Guided Visit to the Refuge

There are many fun activities for all ages to partake in here at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge! If you are planning on bringing a self-guided group to the Refuge, here are a few activity options you may want to consider!

	Time at the Refuge
	1 Hour	2 Hours	3 to 4 Hours
Grades K-2	Explore Exhibit Hall (Ask for Bingo Sheet at Front Desk), or Hike Wetland Wonders Trail, or Nature Play Area	Explore Exhibit Hall (Ask for Bingo Sheet at Front Desk), and Hike Bulrush Bridge Trail, or Nature Play Area/Jr. Ranger (Ask for Supplies at Front Desk)	Explore Exhibit Hall (Ask for Bingo Sheet at Front Desk), and Hike Bulrush Bridge Trail, and/or Nature Play Area /Jr. Ranger (Ask for Supplies at Front Desk), or Drive Auto Tour Loop
Grades 3-5	Explore Exhibit Hall (Ask for Scavenger Hunt at Front Desk), or Hike Bulrush Bridge Trail, or Nature Play Area	Explore Exhibit Hall (Ask for Scavenger Hunt at Front Desk), and Watch “Wings of Thunder” Movie, and Hike Marsh Meander Trail, or Nature Play Area /Jr. Ranger (Ask for Supplies at Front Desk)	Explore Exhibit Hall (Ask for Scavenger Hunt at Front Desk), and Watch “Wings of Thunder” Movie, and Hike Marsh Meander Trail, and/or Nature Play Area /Jr. Ranger (Ask for Supplies at Front Desk), or Drive Auto Tour Loop
Grades 6-12	Explore Exhibit Hall, or Hike Marsh Meander Trail	Explore Exhibit Hall, and Watch “Wings of Thunder” Movie, and Hike Marsh Meander Trail	Explore Exhibit Hall, and Watch “Wings of Thunder” Movie, and Hike Marsh Meander Trail, or Drive Auto Tour Loop

Other programs at the Refuge:

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a great place for kids and to get kids outdoors! With a variety of youth activities like our Jr. Ranger Program and self-led scavenger hunts, the Refuge is an excellent family-fun destination.

Junior Duck Stamp Program

Students, from kindergarten through twelfth grade are encouraged to enter their artistic renditions of North American waterfowl into the contest. Information on the National Junior Duck Stamp contest can be found at www.fws.gov/birds/education/junior-duck-stamp-conservation-program.php.Deadline for Utah state entries is March 1 each year.

Junior Ranger Program

The Refuge has an active Jr. Ranger program - highlighted by our Jr. Ranger Activity backpacks. These backpacks are available for check out by children and families at our front desk, and are filled with fun tools and guides for exploring the Refuge wetlands and grasslands. There is also an activity workbook with 15 fun activities, and if participants complete at least 5, they can earn their patch and become an official Bear River Jr. Ranger.