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Our nature programs provide an opportunity for your group to practice science and connect to nature. Nature educators lead your students through a variety of activities to help them learn about the plants, animals, and geology of Portland. We use small group exploration, inquiry, observation, data collection, sensory experiences, play, and discussion.
Walks can be bilingual upon request. Nature Educators can teach in English, Spanish, Russian, and Hebrew.
Request a Program
Programs are rain or shine, year-round! Programs happen Tuesday - Friday between 9am and 2pm. We can usually teach up to 40 children at one time.
Now scheduling for the 24-25 school year!
Fill out this form to request a field trip or nature program.
Field Trip Topics
| Topic | Age/Grade Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
Amphibians  | 3rd-12th grades | Students visit a pond to catch and study tadpoles; we also visit a forest to see adult salamanders and frogs. Hopefully, we will see all stages of the amphibian life cycle! Students will also learn ways to protect amphibians, and about the differences between reptiles and amphibians. March-May only. |
Bees of Portland  | 1st - 12th grades | There are hundreds of species of bees in Portland! We will closely observe bees and other pollinators doing their work and learn how important they are to ecosystems and human survival. Students will go home with a pocket guide to the 15 most common species in Portland. May - August only. |
Birds  | 2nd - 8th grades | Students will learn the basics of bird-watching and how to use binoculars. They will learn to identify several species of local birds. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
| pre-K - 2nd grade | Take a short, slow walk looking for birds. Learn to identify 1-3 types of common birds and use your imagination to try to build a nest. This topic can be taught any time of the year. | |
Habitats of Oaks Bottom  | Kindergarten through high school | Visit a pond, a meadow, and a forest. Compare and contrast what we find in each habitat. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
Ladybug Nature Walk - early childhood program  | Ages 2-6 | Children borrow a backpack full of tools to help them explore a local park or natural area. Children catch and observe bugs and participate in sensory experiences appropriate for early childhood. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
Life in a Rotten Log  | Kindergarten through 8th grade | What happens when something dies in the forest? Turn over logs and use a scavenger hunt to find bugs, fungi, and other living things. Fall, Winter, and Spring only. |
Volcanoes in Your Backyard  | 3rd - 12th grades | Portland is the only city in the U.S.A. with a volcano within its borders. Climb to the top of Mt. Tabor and visit the “throat” where the volcano exploded long ago. Learn about different volcanic rocks that are found here today. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
We may also be able to build a custom program for your school, club, or organization. Please inquire.
Locations
We can do field trips in any PP&R park or natural area. We may also be able to do programs in your schoolyard.
You can choose park that is close to you, or request one of our most popular field trip locations:
| Area | Popular Parks for Programs |
|---|---|
| Southeast |
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| East |
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| North |
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| Northeast |
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| Southwest |
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Cost for programs
Field tripsare charged per participant. Each participating school or organization should choose the appropriate cost for their situation.
Rates for the 2024-2025 school year.
- $5/participant - Schools and programs located in Portland
- $7/participant - Schools and programs located outside of Portland
- $0/participant - Schools that qualify for federal funds (Title I, Head Start), or other organizations. We may also be able to reimburse you for the cost of transportation.
We offer priority scheduling to schools and organizations located within Portland as well as groups identified in the Parks Local Options Levy, such as communities of color, seniors, teens, households experiencing poverty, immigrants and refugees, and people living with disabilities.