Audubon Centers > Trinity River Audubon Center > Education Programs

Education Programs

NATURE ACADEMY
Building Natural Connections

Please join us for the inaugural season of Nature Academy at Trinity River Audubon Center. Through our academic and public programs, you’ll be the first to experience our wetlands, prairie and forest as we take a closer look at the wonders of nature together. We’ve designed amazing experiences for all ages so join us as we explore, connect, and grow.

Space is limited and we anticipate programs filling quickly. Advanced registration is recommended. Please contact Ben Jones at 214-370-9735 x 15 or trac@audubon.org for more information.

Children's Programs
Adult Programs
Family Programs
Academic Programs

Public Programs
Children’s Programs - Introduce a child to the wonder of nature.

Birds of Play (one adult with up to two children ages 0-4)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30-11 AM
So many exciting things to discover – the inside of a flower, a bird’s soft feathers, feet dangling in a cool pond, a sticky spider web, butterflies dancing across a prairie. Together, we’ll explore trails, play games, create nature art and wrap-up with story and snack time. And, we’ll provide smart tips for creating your own nature play experiences at home. Bring your favorite kids, a snack, and your imagination as we explore nature together through play.

Nature Clubs (children ages 5-8 & 9-12)
Clubs meet one Sunday per month from 2-4 PM, for 11months (no meeting in December)
It’s a child’s nature to explore. Our Nature Clubs encourage and model exploration through hands-on activities, science investigations, and outdoor fun. Each month, we’ll set out on amazing outdoor explore something new.

We offer four Clubs with space limited to 20 students each. All activities are age appropriate and engage multiple learning styles. Join one, two, three or all four!

Bug Club - Tag and monitor monarchs, taste edible insects, plant a butterfly garden, start an insect collection…

Bird Club - Race pigeons, learn to use binoculars, dissect an owl pellet, build a bird house, learn to tie a falconer’s knot, record bird calls…

Frog Club - Record frog calls, dissect a frog, study tadpoles, take pond samples, monitor water quality, taste a frog leg…

Adventure Club – experience a secret clubhouse, dig for fossils, track mammals, learn to use a compass and GPS…

Join a Nature Club(s) and get ready for something new and exciting each month. Club membership includes 11/two-hour meetings, an official Nature Club T-shirt, and take-home activities.

Adult Programs
Challenge yourself. Start a new hobby. Turn over a new leaf. Grow.

Nature Yoga
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10-11:15 AM
Saturdays, 8-9:15 AM
Join us for yoga immersed in nature’s beauty and peace. Your practice will be enhanced in a setting demonstrating renewal, restoration, and growth.

Trinity Treks
Wednesdays & Fridays, 8 AM
No stroll in the woods, we’ll hike all four miles of trails through prairie, wetland and forest habitat. Starting with a quick stretch and warm-up, we’ll share hiking tips and upcoming trip information. This is a great opportunity to prepare for a big trip, break-in a backpack or some boots, or just mix-up your exercise routine. Water provided.

Green Living
Saturdays, 1-3 PM
Would you like to learn more about sustainability and how green practices can save natural resources and money? Join us for information and demonstrations on green practices at home, in the yard, and office. We’ll discuss tips for waste reduction, recycling standards, cfl, green office practices, organic gardening and xeriscaping, native plants, water conservation issues, and carbon foot print. Each class will include demonstrations, and class discussion.

Birding 101 – schedule to be determined
Bird watching is the fastest growing and currently the most popular spectator sport in America. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 51.3 million Americans enjoy bird watching. With very little equipment, birding provides a relaxing, educational hobby along with a low-impact form of exercise that all ages can enjoy. Join us to learn more about birding, binoculars, field guides, keeping a list, and the basics of bird identification.

Bird Biology – schedule to be determined
Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Home Study Course - Learn about bird behavior, migration, ecology, conservation, and many other subjects—in your own home, at your own pace! This fun course was written by 12 leading ornithologists, edited by Lab staff, and illustrated by acclaimed artist John Schmitt. Participants will join in scheduled group discussions at the Center as they complete the various course sections.

Family Programs - Grow closer to nature and family.

Discover Together – Saturdays 9-11 AM
Tired of family life revolving around what’s on TV? Join us as we learn the basics of outdoor fun like camping, paddling, archery, fishing, geocaching, birding, nature journaling, Leave No Trace, and more. These workshops are excellent opportunities for families to create great memories together. Research has shown when families work together as a team in an outdoor environment, those positive bonds and communication skills spill over into other aspects of their lives. Our workshops are designed for beginners and families with children between the ages of 5 and 13. The workshops are open to all types of families, including grandparents and grandchildren and adults with nieces or nephews.

Academic Programs

Soundscape Science is a multidisciplinary curriculum supplement designed by Audubon Texas for 4th – 5th graders. The curriculum integrates technology with field-based science education, and supports Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science, mathematics, English language arts and reading, social studies, art and music, theatre, and technology applications. The goal of the lessons and field experiences is to improve students’ scientific understanding and critical thinking skills.  They begin by practicing basic listening skills. Each lesson builds on the previous one, leading students from simple listening activities to sound sampling in neighborhoods and natural sites using hand-held digital audio recorders.
 
Project Compass is two or three-hour expedition (according to teacher needs) that provides inquiry-based, hands-on nature education in an immersed setting. Program activities take place on guided hikes and relate to local ecology and habitat study. Students engage in scientific observation and identification, nature study, and critical thinking. Each on-site program is supplemented with pre- and post- educational activities teachers may use to strengthen their students’ learning experiences.
 
Careers in Conservation provide college and high school students opportunities to work in the field of science and gain practical experience.  These programs engage underrepresented groups and ultimately increase diversification in conservation science. Undergraduate students from Environmental Sciences programs participate in a six-week paid internship.  At the same time, high school students from local school districts participate in a four-week paid internship. Working together, the interns conduct on-the-ground research projects at the site, and assist in conservation education programs. Internship activities include collaboration with graduate students and faculty from area universities, and discussions with other professionals in the field of conservation science.