Guided nature walks

Free weekly docent-led tours of the Reserve

Every Saturday, the Conservancy offers a guided nature walk with a trained naturalist starting at the nature center (2710 Manchester Avenue). The walk is free and starts at 10 am.

Also, every second Saturday of each month, members of our team of trained volunteer naturalists lead free guided walks starting from the Rios Avenue trail head at 9 am for a two hour tour, exploring the flora, fauna and history of San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve.

Guided walks for school groups

Get our walk flyer (PDF)

The Conservancy offers guided tours for schools and other groups at other times of the week. Curriculum varies according to grade level.
 

Grades K-2

Habitat Hunt

In order to survive, all living things need a place to live – a habitat, or home, that provides food, water, shelter, and space. The program begins with an interactive discussion of the different animals that live in the lagoon, followed by a hike around the nature center loop. Students will be encouraged to look for animal clues and their different habitat requirements and consider what happens to an animal if its needs are not met.

Grades 3-5

Adapt to Your Habitat

We will observe and discuss the physical and behavioral adaptations that allow so many different organisms to live side by side, whether it’s in the salt marsh, the freshwater riparian woodland, or the dry coastal sage scrub. We will also discuss how changes in the environment might affect an organism’s chance of survival.

Eat or Be Eaten

We will explore how organisms depend on one another and their environment for survival. We will examine the different components of an ecosystem, both the living and non-living, and determine which plants and/or animals can survive in a particular environment. The terms producer, consumer, and decomposer will be introduced, and examples of how they fit into the food chain and web will be addressed.

Living off the Land – the Kumeyaay

Historically San Elijo Lagoon provided many important resources for indigenous peoples, primarily those known as the Kumeyaay. This program focuses on understanding how the Kumeyaay lived in harmony with the environment and discusses how the many plants and animals of the reserve provided for almost everything they needed including food, shelter, and medicines. (get our Kumeyaay Teachers Guide)

Grades 3-12

Wetland Wonders

Coastal wetlands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. This hike will introduce the many important functions of a wetland and the diversity of plants and animals that rely on this ecosystem for survival. Students will experience the lagoon’s sights, sounds, and tranquility while learning about the reserve’s sensitive habitats and the plants and animals that reside within them.

Grades 9-12

Birding 101

It is fascinating to note that an incredible diversity of birds, over 300 species depend on the lagoon throughout the year. This walk will focus on the resident and migratory birds of the lagoon, and the important role coastal estuaries play in providing bird habitats. Through bird observations, we will also discuss the importance of biodiversity within an ecosystem, and how changes in that ecosystem due to human activity or other forces such as climate change might impact its diversity and stability. Binoculars will be provided.

HOW DO I SCHEDULE A SCHOOL PROGRAM?

School groups are scheduled Wednesday through Friday between 9am – noon. Walks typically last for 1.5 hours. To schedule a program, please email Tara Fuad, Education Director, at tara@sanelijo.org at least three weeks prior to your requested walk date. Be sure to indicate grade level, number of students, topic of interest, date (1st, 2nd and third choice), starting time, and trailhead preference (see below). We accept a maximum of 40 students per visit.

CAN WE EAT LUNCH AT THE RESERVE?

Because the San Elijo Ecological Reserve does not have picnic tables or an adequate space to accommodate a large group to eat lunch, we discourage school groups from eating at the Reserve. If you would like to include lunch as part of your field trip, we suggest driving your students to Glen Park in Encinitas, located ½ mile from the Nature Center, which has plenty of picnic tables and a wonderful playground. Address is 2149 Orinda Drive, Encinitas.

ABOUT THE TRAILHEADS

The school programs use three different trailheads throughout the reserve.

The Nature Center: The fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant loop at the Nature Center is one of the most popular trailheads as it allows students, in addition to participating in the program, to explore the hands-on exhibits in the new Nature Center. It is the shortest of the three trails, and is the only one used for the K-2 programs. An electric motorized wheel chair is available for use by arrangement with the Ranger.

Rios Avenue and Santa Carina: Both trails allow for longer hikes and exploration, but please note that there are no restroom facilities at either one of these locations.

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEADS

Nature Center

I-5 to Manchester exit

Drive west on Manchester Avenue

Turn left into first available driveway

2710 Manchester Avenue

 

Rios Avenue

I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe exit

Drive west on Lomas Santa Fe Drive

Turn right on Rios Ave

Drive to end of Rios Ave and park along the curb

Santa Carina

I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe exit

Drive east off exit

Turn left at the first available street: Santa Helena

Turn left on Santa Victoria

Turn left on Santa Carina

Drive to the end of Santa Carina and park along the curb

 

We suggest a donation of $50 per group of 20 kids. Donations received go directly back to strengthening the education program through increased docent training and development of educational materials.

Get our walk flyer (PDF)

 

Get involved - become a Docent!

You can become a docent and lead tours! Join the Conservancy team of dedicated volunteers. You will benefit from a comprehensive training covering a range of topics, including early native uses of the Reserve, the flora and fauna found at the Lagoon, and interpretive techniques. The fall 2009 docent training will start in October. For further information and application click here, or contact Tara Fuad at (760) 436-3944, email tara@SanElijo.org.