Ecological Literacy Education Providers

Feel free to interact with our SUPER user friendly map. You will find descriptions for each of the program providers beneath the map. Don’t see your organization? Click here to contact us.

ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

        The Altacal Audubon Society has existed since 1955 to encourage conservation, ecological education and the preservation of habitat for birds and other wildlife. They have adaptable indoor/outdoor presentations on ecological concepts and birds, their habitat, birding and scientific studies on birds. Altacal also partners with other organizations to provide a volunteer birder to spot birds, offering a birding perspective.

Grades K-8, programs are both free and fee-based, contact www.altacal.org

BIDWELL MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK

        Adjacent to downtown Chico, the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park offers the “Maidu Programs” that explores ways the natural environment was essential to Native American life and culture. In the “Gold Program”, students discover how gold mining changed California’s population and natural environment.

Grades 3 and 4, programs are fee-based, contact 530-895-6144 or bidwellmansionpark.com

BUTTE FIRE SAFE COUNCIL

      The Butte County Firesafe Council provides wildland fire mitigation and recovery services to communities in Butte County. They provide wildfire hazard education, mitigation, and wildfire recovery through their programs including; Chipper Program, 6th Grade Education and Borrow a Weed Wrench.

Grade 6 and community service, programs are free, contact 530-877-0984 or buttefiresafe.net

CALIFORNIA URBAN STREAMS ALLIANCE- THE STREAM TEAM

     The Stream Team offers standards-aligned classroom and field trip instruction within nature areas, stream habitats, and parks near most schools. Students participate in citizen science research projects: restoration, watershed assessments, and water pollution prevention. Service learning through the Science Ambassador program is available.

Serves all ages, programs are both free and fee-based, contact 530-342-6620 or theteamstream.org

CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION

            California Waterfowl Association (CWA) restores wetland habitat, conserves waterfowl, conducts waterfowl research, educates on waterfowl and wetland conservation and supports outdoor heritage. Their programs include: Federal Junior Duck stamp classroom program, Walking with Wood Ducks field day, Marsh Madness, Youth Leadership, Scatastic field days. CWA also coordinates field trips to local wetlands, private property sites, farms and wildlife refuges.

Serves all ages, programs are both free and fee-based, contact 916-648-1406 x 102 or calwaterfowl.org

CENTERVILLE RECREATION AND HISTORIC ASSOCIATION & FRIENDS OF BUTTE CREEK

The Centerville Recreation and Historic Association provides recreation opportunities for the residents of Centerville and Butte Creek Canyon. At the Centerville Schoolhouse Complex visitors can explore the history of Butte Creek Canyon through the Colman Memorial Museum, the Centerville Schoolhouse and the Bob Paugh/Nimshew Stage.

Serves all ages, programs are fee-based, contact 530-893-9667 or centervillemuseum@gmail.com, centervillemuseum.com

CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER

               The Chico Creek Nature Center offers standards-aligned field trips in Bidwell Park, including hikes, hands-in labs, and “Meet the Animals.” Classroom visits are also available. They also act as a regional training hub for Project WET and Project Learning Tree.

Grades pre-K through 6, programs are fee-based, contact 530-891-4671 or bidwellpark.org

COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER, RANCHO ESQUON

               Rancho Esquon is a 10,000-acre private, working ranch that features 1,000 acres of restored wetland habitat in Durham. Field trip activities include study of wetlands, wildlife, migration, agriculture, and wildlife-friendly farming, Transportation scholarships are available.

Grades 3 through 6 (other ages can be accommodated), programs are free, contact 530-321-6715 or www.ranchoesquon.org

CSU, CHICO SCIENCE & EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

               The CSU, Chico Center for Mathematics and Science Education outreach program coordinates activities for K-12 students. Their goal is to provide opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of science and mathematics principles. They offer hands-on science lab experience, field trips and seasonal events.

Serves ages K-12, programs are both free and fee based, contact 530-89-4322 or mscenter@csuchico.edu, www.csuchico.edu/cmse

GATEWAY MOUNTAIN CENTER

               Aligned with Common Core, Next Generations Science Standards (NGSS), STEM principles, CrossCutting Concepts and science/engineering practices, the Gateway Mountain Center offers therapeutic wellness programs, field trips, and summer camps for youth of all backgrounds. They serve over 1,000 students annually and customize their programs to meet students’ goals, needs and challenges. They assist youth with transforming their self-awareness through connections with nature, self, and community.

Serves grades 4th through 12, programs are fee-based with scholarships available, contact 530-426-2110 or www.sierraexperience.org

GATEWAY SCIENCE MUSEUM

        Gateway Science Museum provides engaging hands-on science exhibits, interactive workshops, activities and science-based demonstrations. Gallery tours, field trips, and birthday parties are available. Explore the native plant garden and organic vegetable garden; partake in programs that focus on STEM (science, technology engineering and math).

Serves all ages, programs are fee-based, contact 530-898-4121 or www.gatewayscience.org

GRAY LODGE WILDLIFE AREA

Managed by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, this 9,200-acre wetland provides a haven for wildlife. Educational Programs and guided tours focus on wetland wildlife and habitat conservation. Programs are engaging and correlate to the latest State Science Standards.

Serves all ages, programs are free and fee-based, contact 530-846-7505 or www.dfg.ca.gov

LAKE OROVILLE STATE RECREATION AREA & VISITOR CENTER

          Guided tours and educational programs focus on the construction of the Oroville Dam and the natural and cultural history of the foothills around the Feather River Canyon. Interpretive programs are also offered at the fish hatchery and in classrooms.

Serves all ages, programs are free and fee-based, contact 530-538-2219 or parks.ca.gov

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

          Programs offered include: Winter Ecology Snowshoe Walks, Winter Survival and Snow Shelters, Volcanoes of Lassen with demonstrations, Hydrothermal Features, Lassen Habitats and Communities, and Lassen Peak. Range of program times available. Help planning school field trips is available.

Grades 3 to adult, programs are free, contact 530-595-6132 or nps.org/lavo  

PATRICK RANCH MUSEUM

        Programs focus on the area’s agricultural development, California history, the evolution of transportation, and earth, life, and physical sciences. An historic home, museum exhibits, orchards and drought tolerant gardens are some of the sires that can be used for programs.

Grades K through 6, programs are fee-based, contact 530-342-4359 or patrickranchmuseum.org

R.A.R.E (RUBBISH RECYCLING AND RE-USE EDUCATION), BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL

        Through games and interactive demonstrations, RARE offers hands-on recycling and composting workshops communicating the importance of appropriate waste disposal practices using the “Four R’s”- reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. RARE also coordinates field trips to the Neal Road Landfill.

Grades K through 12, programs are free, contact 530-891-6424 or becnet.org/RARE

Sacramento Wildlife Refuge Complex 

           Programs include: Chompers and Stompers; Migration Madness; Wetlands Walk; Nature’s Nests’ Discovery Room; and Wetlands, Waterfowl, and Refuges. The Junior Duck Stamp Outreach Program brings a naturalist to classrooms to learn about waterfowl, wetlands, migration and more.

Grades 1 through Adult, programs are free, contact 530-934-2801 or fws.gov/refuge/sacramento