San Francisco Bay Reserve’s K-12 education programs strive to help teachers improve the quantity and quality of estuarine science taught in K-12 classrooms (both indoor and outdoor). We offer professional development workshops primarily for middle and high school level science teachers. Our workshops bring together scientists and teachers, and offer interactive, hands-on approaches to using scientific research and data in a variety of settings. Our education staff is also committed to helping teachers effectively use the Reserve System’s Estuaries 101 lesson plans to teach basic science concepts and data analysis.

Both of the San Francisco Bay Reserve sites, Rush Ranch in Solano County and China Camp State Park in Marin County, are open to the public and both offer spectacular marsh views from relatively flat hiking trails. Interpretive signs at the Rush Ranch Nature Center and at China Camp’s major picnic areas provide information about natural history of the estuary and current scientific research happening within the Reserve. We offer interactive nature walks at Rush Ranch and occasional campfire talks at China Camp.

There are several ways to volunteer within the Reserve, including becoming a docent for the Rush Ranch Educational Council, leading natural history walks at Rush Ranch, and participating in research and monitoring programs at China Camp and Rush Ranch.