Seasonal Nature Explorations

Maine Audubon's naturalist-guided nature explorations introduce participants to the natural world around them. They are open to groups of all ages including school classes, community groups, families, and scout troops.

Maine Audubon's Nature Explorations are flexibility to adapt program content to include topics of special interest or specific Maine State Learning Results Content Standards.

View the 2007-08 Nature Explorations Brochure

Winter

Spring

Fall

Fall

Explore the Salt Marsh

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

Group size limited to 45 participants

1 1/2-hour program
$5/student; $50/group minimum

Join a Maine Audubon naturalist for this hands-on exploration of Maine's largest salt marsh. Students witness fall bird migration, study salt-marsh plants, and get a close-up look at the mummichogs and other salt-marsh creatures.

Explore New England's Forests

Mast Landing Audubon Center, Freeport

Group size limited to 50 participants

1 1/2-hour program
$5/student; $50/group minimum

Explore Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary in Freeport with Maine Audubon educators. Students investigate several different types of habitat, check under fallen logs for salamanders, look for animal tracks in the mud, and possibly flush a grouse from the trail.

 

Secrets of the Forest NORTH

Fields Pond Audubon, Holden
September-October
$4/student

Explore Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden with Maine Audubon educators. In this 1 1/2-hour program, students learn about the layers of the forest from the canopy to the forest floor, including the wildlife that inhabits each layer, from golden-crowned kinglets to moles and shrews.

 

Explore Wetlands and Forest

Fore River Sanctuary, Portland

Group size limited to 45 participants

2-hour program

$7/student, $70/group minimum

Fore River Sanctuary in Portland offers an in-depth look at a unique wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Maine's largest city. Test the water and examine the plants and animals that live in fresh and saltwater wetlands. Take soil samples and look for signs of animals in the upland forest. Students also study the human history of the area, including the the remains of the historic Cumberland and Oxford canal.

 

Exploring The Coastal Forest

Hamilton Audubon Audubon Sanctuary,West Bath

Group size limited to 30 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student; $50/group minimum

From forested trails to striking views over a salt marsh and tidal mudflats, this adventure will engage your group in solving history's myteries by deciphering clues on the landscape.

 

Explore Fields and

Forest

Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth

Group size limited to 45 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student; $50/group minimum

Participants explore how plants and animals adapt to the changing seasons. Along the way, students will learn about migrating birds, and various habitats including forests and meadows.

 

Winter

Wildlife in Winter

Fields Pond Audubon Center, Holden

Bring your class or community group to Fields Pond Audubon Center to explore and discover the winter world of Maine's wildlife. Students will learn how life adapts to survive the rigors of the season and how to find and interpret clues about the presence of different animals and their living habits.

Each program starts with an indoor session in the nature center to introduce children to principles of winter ecology. Wildlife mounts and other artifacts from nature help initiate questions and discussion. Children then go outdoors for a guided expedition through snowy fields and woods to search for signs of wildlife and discover clues about how they live.

Presented by a Maine Audubon naturalist-educator, each of these hour-long programs for elementary-school children involves hands-on activities and explorations correlated to Maine's new Learning Results standards. Naturalists and teachers work as a team during these lessons to facilitate the activity. For optimal learning, there is a maximum number of 25 children for each presentation.  Teacher packets with pre- and post-trip discussion questions, information, and activities are sent out before the field trip to help educators integrate the field trip experience into their classroom curriculum.

Explore Fields and Forest

Gilsland Farm Audubon Center

Group size limited to 45 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

Students use hands-on activities to explore how plants and animals adapt to the changing seasons. Students locate animal tracks, listen for bird calls, find different kinds of seeds, learn about the different properties of snow, and look for the awakening of spring. Naturalists guide students in outdoor explorations before going indoors to use taxidermy mounts to explian Maine's wildlife and thier seasonal adaptations.

Explore New England's Forests

Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary, Freeport

Group size limited to 50 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

Explore how plants and animals adapt to the changing seasons. Along the walk, students locate animal tracks, listen for bird calls, find different kinds of seeds, learn about the different properties of snow, and look for the awakening of spring.

Explore the Costal Forest

Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary, West Bath

Group size limited to 30 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

From forested trails to striking views over a salt marsh and tidal mudflats, thisadventure will engage your group in solving history's myteries by deciphering clues on the landscape.

Spring

Salt marsh Explorations

Join a Maine Audubon naturalist for a hands-on exploration of Maine’s largest salt marsh. These walking and canoe programs provide an ideal opportunity to greet the return of the snowy egret, study salt-marsh plants, and get a close-up look at the mummichog, a marsh fish. The 1 1/2–hour nature explorations help students learn key ecological concepts while exploring different habitats using all their senses. Observation of plants and animals, including their adaptations and seasonal changes, are covered.

Explore the Salt Marsh

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

Group size limited to 45 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

Participants examine marsh mud, discover what lives in algae, and watch the returning birds. Walking explorations are appropriate for ages 4 and up.

 

Explore the Salt Marsh by Canoe

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

Group size limited to 24 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$12/student, $120/group minimum

 

Participants look for seals swimming in the river, crabs crawling along the bank, and birds feeding in the mud. Canoe explorations are appropriate for grade 7 and up.

 

Explore the Pond

Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth Group size limited to 24 participants1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

Investigate life within and around Gilsland Farm's pond by recording and analyzing data, using field guides, identifying species, and assessing the health of the pond based on measurements of temperature, PH, clarity, and dissolved oxygen. Through these activities students gain an understanding of the interconnections inherent in ecosystems. Appropriate for grades 3-10.

Explore New England's Forests

Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary, Freeport

Group size limited to 45 participants 1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

Look at a tree core, dig up a soil sample, follow signs of animals as you explore the plants and animals in coniferous and deciduous forests.

Explore Wetlands and Forest

Fore River Sanctuary, Portland

Group size limited to 45 participants

2-hour program

$7/student, $70/group minimum

Test the water and examine the plants and animals that live in fresh and saltwater wetlands. Take soil samples and look for signs of animals in the upland forest.

Explore the Coastal Forest

Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary, West Bath

Group size limited to 30 participants

1 1/2-hour program

$5/student, $50/group minimum

From forested trails to striking views over a salt marsh and tidal mudflats, this adventure will engage your group in solving history's myteries by deciphering clues on the landscape.