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 able to adapt program content to include topics of special interest or specific Maine State Learning Results content standards.

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.

 

Exploring the Secrets of the Forest

September 28-October 30, 2009

Fields Pond Audubon Center

Group size limited to 60 participants

2-hour program

$5/person, $45/group minimum

Fall is a great time to take students on an outdoor exploration at Fields Pond Audubon Center. Students love learning about and searching for tracks and signs of the animals that live in the Maine Forest. They enjoy discovering the trees of Maine by experience—shake hands with the fir tree. Smell its sweet fragrance. Shake hands with the spruce—ouch! It’s spikey. For older students, we go into concepts of ecology, but we always teach through experience.

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.