Nature Programs

At the Mary Vagle Nature Center we provide schools, scout troops, and educational groups access to education in a variety of environmental specialty programs. These programs meet the standards for educators, public and private alike, in many areas of nature science and native inhabitant history. All of our programs incorporate a "hands-on" approach to learning through use of the Next Generation Science Standards. Depending on the program that is scheduled, each student will have the chance to walk away with a completed activity.


For additional program information, or to schedule your school field trip at the Nature Center, please give us a call at (909) 349-6994.

The fee for all field trips at the Nature Center is $6 per student.

  1. Educational Programs
  2. Scout Programs
  3. Summer Day Camp

Educational Programs

An example of a school program: Upon arrival, we will give everyone an introduction together and then split them into groups. After the group has been split, we will rotate them through the program activities, have lunch, and then share some of our animals with the entire group.

We are flexible. Let us know how we can better serve your group, so that we can make this an educational and memorable experience for every one.

Each subject below includes up to three activities and an animal demonstration. Each programs runs approximately two - three hours long (depending on your schedule). You can choose to have your lunch or snack here too.

  • Organisms and Ecosystems
    • "From the Ground Up" K-4th grade
      • DCI: K/1/3/4-LS1, K/3/4-ESS3, 2/3-LS2, 2/3-LS4
    • "On the Edge: Wildland Interface" 2nd-6th grade
      • DCI: 3/4/5/MS-LS1, 2/32/5/MS-LS2, 2/3/MS-LS4, 3/4/5/MS-ESS3
  • The Green Garden
    • "Born to Burn" high school
      • DCI: HS-LS1, HS-LS2, HS-LS4, HS-ESS3
    • "Our Urban Forest" 3rd-6th grade
      • DCI: 3/4/5/MS-LS1, 2/3/5/MS-LS2, 2/3/MS-LS4, 3/4/5/MS-ESS3
  • Urban Waterscapes
    • "Pond Ecology" 4th-high school
      • DCI: MS/HS-LS1, MS/HS-LS2, MS/HA-LS4, MS/HS-ESS3
  • Earth Inquiry
    • "Rockworks" 2nd-4th grade
      • DCI: 3/4-LS1, 2/3/4-ESS2, 3-PS2
    • "Earthworks" 5th-high school
      • DCI: 5/MS/HS-LS1, 5/MS/HS-ESS2, 5/MS/HS-PS2
  • Early Gold Rush History
    • "The Rush for Gold" 3rd-5th grade
      • DCI: 2/3/5-LS2, MS-ESS2, 3/4/5-ESS3, 3/4/5-ETS1
  • Local Native American History
    • "The First Californians" 3rd-6th grade
      • DCI: 2/3/5-LS2, 3/4/5-ESS3, 3/4/5-ETS1