In this 70-acre "classroom," students discover nature and science in a hands-on, interactive environment. Under your leadership or through a guided tour, The Tacoma Nature Center experience can help students develop a connection with and appreciation for the natural world.

• Downloadable Brochure (includes all information below)

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS FOR GROUPS (FIELD TRIPS)

Field investigations at The Tacoma Nature Center and the Adriana Hess Audubon Center in University Place provide opportunities for learning about wetlands, watersheds, wildlife and other areas of nature study.  These popular field trip programs are ideally suited for single classes to provide quality, small group experiences. 

INFORMATION ABOUT GROUP SIZE:

• A ratio of one adult for every seven students is required for field investigations (1:4 for children under 6). 
• There is no charge for teachers and chaperones. 
• Siblings and other extra participants over 2 years old are discouraged and are charged the regular fee. 
• Minimum Group Size:  10
  Groups under 10 participants are charged $50
• Maximum Group Sizes:
  The Tacoma Nature Center - 30
  Titlow Beach, Tacoma - 50

INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS:

• All programs have an outdoor component and participants should come dressed for the weather. 
• Group leaders may download information packets with activities for the classroom and field journals to copy for the students.
• Programs requested that are not on the menu are subject to approval and are assessed a $50.00 off-menu fee.
• Increase learning!  Each program has a linked classroom investigation (outreach program).  Increase your students' learning by booking both a pre-trip classroom program and a field trip today!

INFORMATION ABOUT BOOKING:

• We often become fully booked months in advance for the most desirable times.  Contact us early and have several date options available.
• A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to book each program.  We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards, checks and cash.  The deposit is applied to the total cost of the field trip. The balance is due the day of the program in one lump payment. Purchase orders are also accepted and the program is invoiced the next day.

 

PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 3-5)

LITTLE EXPLORERS: FURRY FRIENDS
Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
1.5 hours  $5.00 per student
Through interactive play, a fun mask to make, and outdoor exploration, children discover what makes a mammal a mammal and how we are mammals too!
Download the teacher's packet here.       

LITTLE EXPLORERS: POND CRITTERS
Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
1.5 hours  $5.00 per student
Take a close-up look at the wet and wild animals that call Snake Lake home with stories, outdoor play, and a visit with a turtle or toad.        

KINDERGARTEN - 2ND GRADE 

LIFE IN A POND
The Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
2 hours  $5.00 per student
Learn which animals use wetland habitats while exploring with a guide.  Students are encouraged to observe and describe the characteristics of these special animals as they study how all parts of the animal help it to survive.
Download the teacher's packet here.

CREEPY CRAWLIES
The Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
2 hours  $5.00 per student
Think like a bug and explore the world of invertebrates through an interactive program.  Learn about the life cycles and characteristics of insects.
Download the teacher's packet here.

 

3RD-6TH GRADE 

WETLAND WONDERS
The Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
2 hours  $5.00 per student
Visit a wetland habitat to see what lives there and learn about the adaptations the animals have for survival.  Then, look closer using microscopes to classify and sort the smallest creatures.
Download the teacher's packet here. 

FOREST FUN
The Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
2 hours  $5.00 per student
Explore the many plants and animals that live in a forest habitat and learn how each part depends on others.  Investigate how people depend on the forest and take a look at related jobs.
Download the teacher's packet here.

WATER SLEUTHS (GRADES 5-6 ONLY)
The Tacoma Nature Center, max. 30
2 - 2.5 hours  $5.00 per student
Discover how systems connect as students investigate a wetland habitat, then search out the links between human activity and watershed quality.  Students use technology to gather data on the watershed and draw conclusions about its quality.
Download the teacher's packet here.

TITLOW BEACH EXPLORATION
Titlow Beach, max. 46
1.5 hours  $5.00 per student
During the low tides of spring, explore the intertidal zone and marine life of the beach in teams utilizing nature study tools and discovery sheets.
Download the teacher's packet here.
Download a checklist of Titlow plants and animals here.

Older students/Adult learners? We can easily adapt any of the 3rd-6th grade programs to suit your needs without an off-menu fee. If you have other topics in mind, just contact us to discuss the options.

 

ON-YOUR-OWN FIELD TRIP 

Lead your own class or group as you explore 70 acres of wetland and forest habitats in the heart of Tacoma near Cheney Stadium. There is no fee to use the park trails and Nature Center exhibit area during regular open hours.  Donations are welcome.  An interpretive trail guide is available to download or pick up at our reception desk.

Please break up large groups and limit your small group size to 20 people per group using the trail and the exhibit area.  Your experience and everyone else's will be so much better this way. There are plenty of places to spread out in the park so even a large group can use the area effectively.  Trail map.
 

CLASSROOM INVESTIGATIONS (OUTREACH PROGRAMS) 

We offer classroom investigations that allow students to get a close-up view of nature in the convenience of the classroom.

INFORMATION ABOUT SCHEDULING:

• Programs last approximately one hour. Preschool groups have more options, see below.
• Programs should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance by calling (253) 591-6439.
• Due to the hands-on nature of the inquiries, we are only able to work with one classroom per time slot. 
• Discounted prices are offered for additional inquiries on the same day at the same site.

INFORMATION ABOUT FEES:

• Fee:  $80 for first in-school session
            $50 for each additional session*
  *Booked for the same day at the same location

INFORMATION ABOUT LOCATIONS:

• Programs available anywhere in the Puget Sound region, however additional charges apply for any programs booked beyond the normal service radius. 
• Any outreach programs located beyond 15 miles round trip from the Tacoma Nature Center are charged a minimum $25 surcharge. 
• Charges increase as the distance increases. 
• Additionally, any bridge tolls or other transportation related fees are charged to the contract. 
• Call for a quote for your location.

PROGRAMS:

• Dowloadable Brochure (with full program descriptions)
• Programs requested that are not on the menu are subject to approval and are assessed a $50.00 off-menu fee.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS (AGES 3-5)
These new classroom inquiries allow students to get a close-up view of nature in the convenience of the classroom and schoolyard. These interactive programs use nature discovery to teach math and science literacy. In order to suit the needs of young children, these programs are available with several different time options: 30, 45 or 60 minute options. Two 30 minute programs qualify for the one-hour fee of $80 provided they are scheduled back-to-back.
Backyard Birds - What makes a bird a bird? Students learn about unique characteristics of birds and discover which birds visit their schoolyard.
Colorful Seasons - Students use their senses to explore the current season.

HABITAT IS WHERE IT'S AT (GRADES K-6)
Students learn about the components of habitat and what wildlife needs to survive in this highly interactive program. Also included is a survey of 3 common Washington habitat types.

CITY CRITTERS (GRADES K-3)
Not all wildlife lives in the wild. Many species have successfully adapted to humans and urban conditions. Students examne a number of our city dwellers through interactive stations and learn why they are thriving.

WASHINGTON WILDLIFE (GRADES 3-6*)
There is a great diversity of life in Washington. Join us in a brief survey of some of the more common wildlife species found here. Explore some of the adaptations they have for survival and investigate some of the problems facing wildlife today.

*This program can easily be adapted for older students or adult learners with no additional fee.