Environmental Education

The Cache Creek Conservancy provides conservation education for students of all ages.

The Experience the Creek Education Program is temporarily suspended. Schools may visit the Nature Preserve, but must provide their own curriculum, teachers, and volunteers. The Conservancy requests a $300 deposit (against any damaged caused by students) before schools come to visit; $200 will be returned to the school if no damage has been done.

Below is the description of the program the Conservancy used to provide, and may again once funding is secured and pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Experience the Creek

Our Experience the Creek program is for students in primary grades and emphasizes interactive learning by observing and using natural materials.

Written by our skilled staff, the program focuses on environmental education according to the state’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for classrooms.

We recommend that school groups choose activities around a theme by grade level. We believe that learning stations centered on a central theme reinforce student learning, understanding, and retention of concepts presented in their classrooms.

Although the Experience the Creek Program is paused, schools are still invited to visit the Cache Creek Nature Preserve as part natural science programs.

Reservations

To reserve a field trip for cohort groups who follow current health guidelines, fill out the Reservation/Program Guidelines form and return it to the Cache Creek Conservancy.

Field trips will be reserved on a first come first serve basis.

This form confirms the type of visit (field trip), date, time, number of students and chaperones, and your choice of activities. We DO NOT reserve field trips until we receive a completed and signed Reservation/Program Guidelines form.

There is a $300 deposit fee to hold the date. If the class comes to the Nature Preserve and no damage to our facilities occur, then $200 will be returned.

Length of Visit

The recommended length of a field trip is three to four hours (this includes a lunch break). Field trips can be scheduled between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm.

Supervision

We suggest at least one chaperone for every six students, however, two chaperones are recommended for each activity group. For example, if you divide your group into four sub-groups, then we suggest eight adults.

Weather

Visits are outdoors rain or shine unless you or the Conservancy staff determine conditions are too extreme. If needed, we will work to reschedule the visit.

Clothing

Please dress appropriately for the expected weather conditions on the day of your visit. For safety, we require closed-toed shoes for all participants (this includes adults and students).

Facilities

Picnic tables are available in the large, historic barn or benches under the canopy of Valley Oak trees. There are two portable restrooms and limited water for handwashing. There is no potable water for drinking. Groups must provide their own drinking water.