Environmental Education

Environmental Education at the Cache Creek Nature Preserve

Where We Are:

The Cache Creek Conservancy offers its Experience the Creek environmental education program at the Cache Creek Nature Preserve, located on the north side of Cache Creek about five miles west of Woodland, California. The 130-acre nature preserve provides a multitude of outdoor learning sites allowing visitors to experience the natural world.  

What We Do:

The Cache Creek Conservancy’s education programs emphasize interactive learning by observing and using natural materials. Written by our skilled staff, the Experience the Creek activities for students in primary grades focus on environmental education in support of state Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for classrooms. Following NGSS, we recommend that school groups choose activities around a theme by grade level. We believe that learning stations centered on a central theme reinforces student learning, understanding, and retention of concepts presented in their classrooms.

Reservations:

To reserve a field trip spot, virtual or for cohort groups who follow current health guidelines, fill out the Reservation/Program Guidelines form below and return to Elise Stinnett at stinnett@cachecreekconservancy.org. Spots will be reserved on a first come first serve basis. This form confirms the type of visit (field trip, virtual, classroom), date, time, number of students and chaperones, and your choice of activities. We DO NOT reserve spots until we receive a completed and signed Reservation/Program Guidelines form. Experience the Creek field trips are free of charge, however, there may be a small materials fee associated with a station, if selected. 

Length of Visit:

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

Supervision:

We require 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 request eight adults. The adults supervise the groups as they rotate through activities or they may be asked to help lead a station. 

Weather:

Programs are presented 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 hand washing. There is no potable water for drinking . Groups must provide their own drinking water. 

The Education Program is proudly sponsored by the Cache Creek Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoration, education and enhancement of the Cache Creek watershed.

Contact Elise Stinnett, Outreach and Watershed Education Coordinator 

stinnett@cachecreekconservancy.org 

(530) 661-1070