Eccles Wildlife Education Center school field trips

How to schedule a visit with your class

Thank you for your interest in bringing your school group to visit the Eccles Wildlife Education Center. To accommodate our many user groups and plan for staffing needs, reservations are required for all types of field trips.

Our standard field trip program is a fully-guided "build your own" field trip, where you choose a lesson plan and activities appropriate for your elementary or middle school group of 15–100 students. See the Fully-guided field trips section (below) for more information and to reserve a date.

Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

Fully-guided field trip

Field trip length: Three hours for the option that includes a lunch break (typically 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Start and end times are negotiable.

Reservation slots available: In the spring and fall, Tuesday through Friday, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Group size requirements: 15–100 students per reservation slot. Please note that our facility cannot accommodate groups that are larger or smaller than this range.

Field trip description: The fully-guided field trip is designed as a "build your own" customizable visit. On the reservation form are several lesson plans and activities to choose from that will best fit your needs or curriculum for a field trip to the wetlands. Students rotate between three or four activities led by our trained volunteer naturalists. The naturalists help students get started, using real-life methods for observing wildlife around them and other skills that students can use long after the field trip is over. The majority of activities are outside.

How to reserve a slot: Please fill out the reservation form. Our field trip coordinator will respond to your request by email within five business days.

Self-guided field trip

Field trip length: Any

Reservation slots available: Year-round, any day of the week or time of day. Keep in mind that restrooms and drinking water are available only during the education center's open hours.

Group size requirements: None. Please note that it is difficult for our small facility to effectively accommodate groups larger than 100, even for self-guided field trips.

Field trip description: If you want more flexible scheduling, have your own lessons to teach, or your group is not eligible for a fully-guided field trip (due to group size being smaller than 15 or the time of year), a self-guided field trip may be a good fit for you. All self-guided field trips are by reservation only, so that we can make sure your visit does not conflict with other uses of our small facility.

How to reserve a slot: Please fill out the reservation form. Our field trip coordinator will respond to your request by email within five business days.

Field trip FAQ

Q: Do I need a reservation for self-guided field trips?

A: Yes. Because of the multiple uses of our facility and the surrounding areas, reservations are required to provide all visitors with a quality experience.

Q: Will staff or volunteer naturalists visit my school?

A: No. Due to staffing limitations, we cannot visit schools for activities or presentations at this time.

Q: Are the field trips all outside?

A: Yes. We still have activities outside in mild inclement weather such as rain. During dangerous weather (for example, lighting storms), we conduct alternative activities indoors. Making sure your students and chaperones are prepared for being outside in most weather conditions — including shoes appropriate for walking, rain jackets or umbrellas, layers for cold weather, sun protection, etc. — is vital to keep everyone safe and comfortable.