Come Explore and Learn!
We are excited to finally be moved in to our new Office and Visitor Center as of January 2024! We are still a work-in-progress and are busy training staff, building our new interpretive displays, and developing updated and exciting programs. Currently the Visitor Center is open limited hours (see the Visitor Center & Headquarters page for details), and the Auto Tour and Wetland Walk are open 7 days a week.
Clicking on one of the topics below will jump you to that section on this page:
Field Trip Programs
Scheduling a Field Trips
Field Trip Guidelines
Outreach Events
Other Resources
Field Trip Programs - updates in progress, June 2025
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Please read about our Field Trip Program opportunities here first, then move into the next section on how to schedule a field trip!
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge offers free Self-Guided or Ranger-led field trip programs for all ages (K-12, college, adults, clubs, groups, etc.). Field Trips are scheduled from late October through February (when the big flocks of wintering waterfowl are here as our guests).
Self-Guided Field Trips
If you are looking for a less-formal day of exploration, we offer a Self-Guided educational opportunity with materials listed below, available by reservation.Self-guided field trips can be scheduled anytime of the year based on availability of the resources, but we recommend October through March based on birds and cooler weather. A self-guided field trip can include any of the following:
- Binoculars (up to 1 class set)
- Field guide bird books (1-2 per field trip, intermediate to advanced tool as they include all birds)
- 'Ducks at a Distance' booklet (up to 1 class set, duck-focused)
- 1-page bird guides (up to 1 class set, great introduction to identifying types of birds)
- Staff/volunteer led introduction to the refuge (~5 minutes, optional but must be requested with field trip reservation)
Ranger-led Field Trips
We have multiple Ranger-Led Field Trips developed based on the age or grade level of those visiting. Programs include materials (loaner binoculars, bird guides, activity books) and lesson plans. Programs can accommodate a maximum of 35 students per rotation, but you can pre-arrange to split a larger group into sub-groups in order to rotate through activities. We recommend a maximum of 70 students per trip and having a 10:1 student-to-adult ratio; at minimum, there should be one adult teacher/chaperone with each group.
- For Kindergarten up to Fifth grade ages, we have Nature Investigators (summary forthcoming).
- There's 1 classroom component and 1 nature walk component and follows the below.
- For Middle School/High School ages, there are several programs to choose from for each rotation. The field trip structure, listed below, can allow for more than 2 rotations but will be dependent on staff and volunteer availability. Rotation options:
- Refuge Overview and Skulls (classroom activity) - summary forthcoming
- Bird Beaks (classroom activity) - summary forthcoming
- Migration Game (outside) - summary forthcoming
- Guided Nature Walk (outside) - summary forthcoming
Field Trip Structure: All of our Ranger-Led Field Trips follow the same structure of 45 minutes minimum for each rotation - this gives staff and volunteers enough time to get through each planned activity. A sample schedule is as follows:
- Arrival and disembark bus(es) – 10 minutes (9am)
- Rotation 1 – 45 minutes (915-10)
- Break – 15 minutes (10-1015)
- Rotation 2 – 45 minutes (1015-11)
- Additional rotation (staff-dependent), drive the auto tour, lunch, depart refuge - (11 and beyond)
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Scheduling a Field Trip
To schedule a Field Trip*:
- Based on the information provided earlier on this page, decide if you would like to schedule a Self-Guided or Ranger-led program.
- Submit a Reservation Form (fillable PDF; email to: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov). We start accepting reservations August 10 for the school year.
- Field trips can take place Tuesday-Friday.
- We encourage field trips between late October and March to see the most diversity in migrating birds (read more about Seasons of Wildlife at the Complex), while March and April are great times to focus on wildflowers.
- Staff will confirm your field trip date via email, after which you will receive vehicle passes and additional information, when applicable.
- Prior to your field trip, please review the Field Trip Guidelines below, as well as any additional information shared with you via staff, to be prepared for your adventure!
*Funding: If you are in need of funding to cover your busing costs (through your school) we may be able to help. Contact the refuge for information at 530-934-2801 or sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov . Sponsored by Friends of the Sacramento NWR and the Refuge Bookstore.
Field Trip Guidelines
Our education programs are designed to provide fun, interactive, and outside learning. To help prepare your group for their upcoming adventure, please read through the guidelines below.
Prior To Your Visit:
| Topic | Information |
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| Review the confirmation materials you've received | - Share the provided guidelines with other teachers and/or chaperones so they are familiar with the expectations for the day.
- Share the provided location map with all drivers. Unfortunately, sometimes Map Apps send our visitors to an incorrect location.
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| Let students and chaperones know how to be prepared: clothing, backpacks, and what to leave at home | - Wear layers. Fall and winter (field trip season) can be all over the place in terms of temperature, wind, and precipitation.
- We strongly recommend wearing long pants and closed-toed shoes - there can be sticks, stickers, mosquitoes and wasps, plus the weather is a factor.
- Please bring your own water for each attendee. The Visitor Center only has a single jug to provide water, and there is no water available on the auto tour or outside the Visitor Center.
- Please bring large garbage bags to pack out your trash - the refuge doesn't have trash receptacles big enough to hold visitor trash as well as multiple school groups worth of trash each week.
- Leave games and music devices at home - cameras and cell phones are okay.
- Depending on your schedule and what's appropriate for your group members, backpacks can be left on the bus or in vehicles while in the Visitor Center to keep safe/distraction-free. The Refuge is not responsible for any personal items.
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| Group Organization | - Based on your conversations with staff to schedule and confirm your trip, have your class(es) divided into the appropriate number of groups to accommodate the number of activity rotations you have requested.
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Arrival and Passes | - Staff will be waiting for your group in the Visitor Parking lot outside of the Visitor Center (bus parking is available).
- Scheduled groups will receive free refuge passes with your field trip confirmation. Place the passes on the dashboard of the participating vehicles.
- Staff will either welcome the group on the bus, next to the bus, or in the bench area.
- If your schedule shows that your are having lunch outside the Visitor Center then bring all lunches with you when you get off the bus. If your schedule shows you are having lunch at the platform, lunches can stay on the bus.
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| Materials | Depending on your program and schedule, the Refuge provides loaner binoculars and bird guides. To keep the binoculars damage-free and your group safe, we encourage the following: - Place the binocular strap around your neck so there is never the risk of the binoculars falling to the ground.
- Stand still while looking through binoculars - don't walk and look at the same time.
- Do not look at the sun through binoculars - the lenses magnify everything, including sunlight, so looking at the sun can lead to eye damage.
- Please have adult chaperones and group leaders assist students with binocular width adjustments (staff will show you how) so each group member can see out of both lenses.
- Take good care of binoculars and bird guides so that we can continue to share with the next groups who visit!
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| Weather and Rescheduling | - Visiting in the rain can be challenging. Birds tend to disperse across the valley, so viewing opportunities are diminished.
- If wet weather is forecasted for your trip, we can work with you to reschedule your trip, based on availability. Contact us as soon possible to reschedule.
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| Auto Tour and Viewing Platforms | - The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour is six miles and can take about 1.5 - 2 hours, especially if you are eating lunch at the platform. The speed limit is 15 mph. Visitors must stay within their vehicles and only get out at designated Park-and-Stretch areas.
- Treat the auto tour like a road. Use vehicle pull-outs to allow other vehicles to pass. Everyone should wear a seatbelt and keep their hands, heads, bodies inside the vehicle, and doors closed. As with any road, it is prohibited to drive with anyone hanging out of a window or sunroof, sitting in a truck bed or on top of a vehicle, or with open doors.
- The road edges of the Auto Tour road become soft during wet weather. Keep your vehicle in the middle of the road so you don't get stuck and use pull-outs to allow vehicles to pass.
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| Respect for Staff | - For students to get the most out of the programs, our staff and volunteers need to have the opportunity to present and lead the activities within each rotation.
- We ask that teachers and chaperones help students stay focused and listen to the educator’s instructions. Your involvement with class management is greatly appreciated and to maintain a positive learning experience for everyone.
- Student nametags (clear and large enough to read) can help staff personalize the trip.
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| Respect for the Refuge | At National Wildlife Refuges, wildlife comes first. Refuges provide habitat for wildlife and we can respect wildlife and habitats through the following ways: - Pack it in, pack it out. Plan to bring a trash bag with you to collect any trash created by your group and dispose of it when you get back to school (the refuge has limited trash cans). Thank you for helping check to make sure no food gets left behind if you eat lunch at the refuge.
- Leave things where you find them. Leave rocks, feathers, sticks, etc. on the ground (collecting trash or litter is the exception).
- Save some paper! We recommend not having every student take brochures. Share this link to our online maps and brochures with chaperones and other teachers.
- Stay in designated visitor areas. While at the refuge, please keep your group together. Staying on trails and not walking in the road by the parking lot keeps everyone safe. While on the Auto Tour, stay in your bus/vehicles unless at a designated Park-and-Stretch area (more info below). Please have chaperones accompany students to the restrooms.
- Use quiet voices. We know it's really exciting to be out of school on a field trip, and this is a wild place and you never know what you will see! Loud voices can startle wildlife, which disrupts their ability to rest, eat, make homes, and more. The quieter we are, the more likely we are to see wildlife and observe what they're doing on the refuge.
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Additional self-guided activities to download and bring with you can be found below:
Outreach Events
On-Refuge Events
Stay-tuned for future on-Refuge Events!
Community Events
Attend these annual community events and stop by our booth to say hi!
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Other Resources
Sacramento NWRC Junior Wildlife Ranger Booklet
Our Junior Wildlife Ranger Booklet is available online and at the Visitor Center. Complete the booklet and earn a badge. Suggested ages are 5-12, but anyone can become a Junior Wildlife Ranger! If you choose to work on it remotely or the visitor center is closed, contact us at sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov to get your badge mailed to you.
Junior Wildlife Ranger - Neighborhood Badge Program
Looking for a free hands-on activity to do with the kids in your life outside this summer? The first-ever neighborhood badge program awards youth 7 and up a badge for learning about environmental science and wildlife conservation. Complete all of their activities to earn all your badges! When you're done, scan the QR code to claim your digital badge. Learn More
California Junior Duck Stamp Program
Learn about the Junior Duck Stamp Program, which is open for students in K-12th grade. Learn about ducks, geese, and swans and draw what you have learned to win prizes. Learn more by clicking here.
Free Virtual Programs
Check out some of our past programs on Facebook:
Other Websites and Organizations
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Sleuth K-12 Lesson Plans - this website link takes you to resources and links for monthly lessons.
California Waterfowl - offers programs for schools in Sacramento and Yolo Counties.
California Regional Environmental Education Communities (CREEC)
CREEC is an educational project whose mission is to develop a communication network which provides educators with access to high quality environmental education resources to enhance the environmental literacy of California students.
Point Blue (formally Point Reyes Bird Observatory)
Point Blue Conservation Science is a non-profit organization with a mission to conserve birds and the environment using science to understand and find solutions to problems threatening wildlife populations and ecosystems.
Owl Pellets - Here are some organizations that might offer pellets to learn about their diets: Pellets Inc. and Acorn Naturalists.
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