Come Explore and Learn!
On this page you'll find information about:
***JUNE 2024 UPDATE*** 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.
We hope to have ranger-led programs available this fall, but opportunities may be limited to Self-Guided programs.
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FIELD TRIPS
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Planning Your 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, etc.). Most Field Trips are scheduled from late October through February (when the big flocks of wintering waterfowl are here as our guests). To schedule a Field Trip*:
- Decide if you would like to schedule a Self-Guided or Ranger-led program. See the summary of these two options below (ranger-led subject to staff availability).
- Review our available Programs below, and decide what the best fit would be for your group.
- Submit a Reservation Form (email to: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov). Reservations open August 10 for the school year.
- Review the Field Trip Guidelines below be prepared for your adventure!
- Staff will confirm your field trip date via email, after which you will receive vehicle passes and additional information.
*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 AltaCal Audubon and the Refuge Bookstore.
Self-Guided Field Trips
If you are looking for a less-formal day of exploration, we offer a Self-Guided educational opportunity with materials (loaner binoculars, bird guides, activity books) and lesson plans that are available by reservation. By reservation on weekdays only, October - March, between ~9am-3pm.
Ranger-led Field Trips
The Refuge may provide up to 2 naturalists for Ranger-led educational activities. Programs include materials (loaner binoculars, bird guides, activity books) and lesson plans. Programs can accommodate a maximum of 35 students per group, but you can pre-arrange to split a larger group into sub-groups in order to rotate through activities. Larger groups require a school-provided group leader for each sub-group. We recommend a maximum of 70 students per trip and having a 10:1 student to adult ratio. By reservation on weekdays only, October - March, between ~9am-3pm.
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FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS
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If there is something specific that you're looking to have your students do on a field trip that isn't part of any of the programs we are offering below, please email us to ask. We may not be able to accommodate every request while we are building back our education programs, but we're open to hearing what your ideas are to make a field trip to our Complex meaningful for your students.
| Program Name | Self-guided or Ranger-Led | Recommended grade levels | Program description | Additional Information |
| Ducks at a Distance | Self-Guided | K-5 | If you're looking for an easy informal opportunity for you and your students to be out on the refuge and taking in all the wildlife, or you have limited time available for your field trip, this is a great choice. Refuge staff will provide you and your students with loaner binoculars and small Ducks at a Distance field guides, which you and your students can take out on the wetland walking trails and on the auto tour. Return the field guides and binoculars to staff before you leave the refuge! | We currently have 1 class set of binoculars and field guides, so for larger groups (2 or more classes) plan to have students sharing with at least one partner, if not two. This program is recommended for the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, given its easy access to the wetland walk trails, auto tour, Visitor Center, and bathrooms. If you're interested in this program at another refuge within our complex, note that in your reservation form and/or email and that can be discussed with our Visitor Services staff. |
New for 2024-2025!
If you and your students go through any of these new programs, we would love to hear how it goes! Any feedback you're able to share with us will help us improve our programs to make them more fun, engaging and memorable for students across our Complex. Thank you for your willingness to test out new programs!
| Program Name | Self-guided or Ranger-Led | Recommended grade levels | Program description | Additional Information |
| Nature Investigators | Self-Guided | Grades 3-5 | The goal of this program is to familiarize students with the importance of wetlands and what type of organisms thrive in this habitat. Students will create a graph that shows the different types of wildlife groups observed and discuss why some groups are observed more than others. Additionally, students can learn about ways individual communities use science ideas, such as conservation management, to protect the Earth’s resources and environment. | Lesson plan write-up provided. Materials for on-site learning available upon request. Encourages learning in Next Generation Science Standards and California Common Core Science Standards. |
| Stay tuned for more! |
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FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES
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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:
Review the confirmation materials you've received:
• Share the provided guidelines with chaperones so they are familiar with their responsibilities
• Share the provided location map with all drivers. Unfortunately, sometimes Map Apps send our visitors to an incorrect location.
Let students and chaperones know what to wear, what to bring, and what to leave at home:
• Wear layers - October can be hot or cold
• Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes - there can be sticks, stickers, mosquitoes and wasps
• Bring a jacket - windy days can be especially cold
• Bring a water bottle for each group member and write their name on it
• Bring large garbage bags to pack out your trash - the refuge does provide trash receptacles
• Leave games and music devices at home - cameras and cell phones are okay
• Leave backpacks on the bus or in vehicles while in the Visitor Center to keep personal items safe
• The Refuge is not responsible for any personal items
Group Organization:
• Before your visit, divide your class(es) into the appropriate number of groups (2-3) to accommodate the number of activity rotations you have requested. *Tip: use a color to separate into groups if not separated by class.
Arrival
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.
Materials
The Refuge can provide loaner-binoculars and bird guides for your group. In order to keep the binoculars and your group members safe, here are some tips:
- Place the binocular strap around your neck
- Stand still while looking through binoculars - don't walk and look at the same time
- Do not look at the sun through binoculars
- Please have adult chaperones and group leaders assist students with binocular width adjustments (staff will show you how)
- Take good care of binoculars and bird guides so that we can continue to share with the next groups who visit
Weather
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 the morning of your trip to reschedule.
Auto Tour/Platform
The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour is six miles and takes about 1 ½ - 2 hours 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.
Respect for Staff
For students to get the most out of the programs, our staff need to have the opportunity to present all the information built into each of the programs. We ask that teachers and chaperones help students stay focused and listen to the educator’s instructions. Student nametags (clear and large enough to read) help staff personalize the trip.
When are fortunate to often have interns to help lead our programs. As part of their internship, they are learning about presenting, class management, and refuge information. Your help during the program with class management is greatly appreciated and to maintain a positive learning experience. Your post-program evaluations will assist the interns in learning and improving their skills.
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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OUTREACH EVENTS
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On-Refuge Events
Stay-tuned for future on-Refuge events, like bird walks, owl prowls and more!
Community Events
Attend these annual community events and stop by our booth to say hi!
Invite us to your event! Email us at sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov
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OTHER RESOURCES
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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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