A program of the Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase ocean literacy through informal and formal education initiatives
Want a touch tank for your school? The Living Science Foundation brings live animals to your school or classroom. With over 20 years of service and experience LSF has grown to be an organization nationally recognized as an innovator and a leader in science out-reach education. Over these many years they have helped to inspire and educate over 2 million children, one by one.
Swim with the Sharks. Lurk with the Lions. Mingle with the Monkeys.
Oceanic Society Expeditions is a non-profit organization conducting educational and enjoyable natural history day cruises, nearly year-round, to experience the Bay Area's fascinating marine life: whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea birds. Expert naturalists lead all trips and explain the natural history of gray whales, and how they have recovered from near extinction. Trips leave from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, and Bodega Bay. Voted best whale watch by San Francisco Bay Guardian.
This 377-acre reserve has a spectacular panorama that is excellent for a geographical overview of the bays and estuary habitat. Docent naturalists, spring hike series, and teacher education resources are available.
Arrowhead Marsh is juxtaposed by both urban downtown Alameda and the Oakland airport. Wooden piers lead from a grassy knoll into the wetland and make wildlife viewing easily accessible. Thge Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center oversees 1,220 acres of preserved Regional Shoreline including Arrowhead Marsh. Programs for schools and other organized groups are conducted weekdays by reservation only through the Crab Cove Interpretive Center.
This sandy beach habitat has become famous for the large colony of elephant seals that mate and raise their young during winter, and return to molt in summer. A nature center is located on site. There are also spectacular tidepools accessible when the elephant seals are not in residence. The reserve is not open to the public the first two weeks of December. Guided tours are available mid-December through March. After April 1 no reservations are needed.
Located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, this island park contains undeveloped natural coastal grasslands and woodland habitats. There is a visitors center and a museum on the island. Docent-led tours to Ayala Cove (a sandy beach habitat) and guided kayak tours around the island are available through Sea Trek in Sausalito.
The museum contains a nautral science hall that expores the varied ecosystems of California, including marine habitats. A variety of hands-on and interdisciplinary classes are available for grades K-12.
San Francisco Bay Area naturalist Ronn Storro-Patterson guides boat expeditions for school groups through wetland marshes in the delta, to watch gray whales off the coast, and to troll for fish and plankton in the bay.
Located on an undistrubed watershed along the shore of San Francisco Bay, China Camp has extensive wetland habitats. This area was first occupied by the Coast Miwok Indians. Spanish rancheros later settled here. Most recently it was a Chinese fishing village. There is a small museum that exhibits the history of China Camp. Docent-led tours are available.
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