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Audubon Canyon Ranch

www.egret.org

Organization Type:
Non-Profit

Mission:

  • To preserve, protect and manage ACR properties as sanctuaries for native plants and animals.
  • To educate children and adults about the natural environment and the need to protect it through the experience and enjoyment of ACR sanctuaries.
  • To support research and conservation efforts that enhance the preservation and management of the natural resources of ACR sanctuaries.

Contact:
Yvonne Pierce, Administrative Director
Audubon Canyon Ranch
ACR Headquarters
4900 Highway 1
Stinson Beach, CA 94970
Phone: (415) 868-9244
Fax: (415) 868-1699

Nancy Trbovich, Administrative Coordinator
Bouverie Preserve
P.O. Box 1195
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone: (707) 938-4554
Fax: (707) 938-8758

Cypress Grove Preserve & Research Center
P.O. Box 808
Marshall, CA 94940

Please call (415) 663-8203 for information about current research opportunities or check out Cypress Grove Research Center on the ACR website www.egret.org.

E-Mail:
acr@egret.org

Geographical Focus:
Local, Regional

Counties Served:
Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Sonoma

Activities:
Research, Education, Conservation, Restoration, Resource Management

Topic:
Wetlands, Wildlife, Watershed Hydrology, Habitat Restoration, Bay & Estuary Habitats, Woodland Ecology, Natural History, Pond and Creek Ecology

Educational Resources:
Curriculum, On-Site Programs, Guided Walks, Field Trips, Nature Trails, Brochures, Website

Education Programs:

  • Elementary school field trip programs for 3rd-4th grades at Bouverie Preserve, 4th-5th grades at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Free program includes spring teacher workshop, curriculum packet, 1½ hour docent-led classroom program with hands-on learning centers, and 3-4 hour field trip at the preserve.
  • Docent training; intensive series of 22 consecutive once-a-week training sessions covering a range of natural history and environmental education topics. Graduates of training are required to fully participate as a docent in the school field trip program described above for a minimum of four consecutive seasons after graduation. Docent training begins every other year at either the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve or the Bouverie Preserve (training years alternate between the two sites).
  • Ranch Guide Training: 6-7 Saturday training series for volunteers wishing to work as guides for the visiting public on weekends during the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve’s public season (from mid-March to mid-July) when the egrets and herons are nesting in the heronry. Training focuses on natural history with an emphasis on the natural history and ecology of egrets, herons and pond animals, as well as instruction on working with the public.
  • Public Seminars: periodically, seminars on a variety of topics are offered to the public for a minimal fee. Contact ACR Headquarters for a current schedule.

Target Audiences:
K-6, Teacher, Non-Formal Educator, General Public

Group Size Accommodated:
Up to 30

Other Languages:
Spanish
A limited number of curricular materials are available by request to supplement some of our elementary school field trip programs. Requests should be made of the coordinating volunteer or staff person well ahead of a visit to one of our preserves.

In-Service Training:
Teachers, Docents/Volunteers, Students/Interns, General Public

  • Four-hour teacher workshops are offered for teachers whose classes will be participating in our elementary school field trip programs in the springtime. Teachers receive notification of these workshops upon registration for the program.
  • Docent and Ranch Guide trainings are available every-other year (see above for more information).
  • Educational opportunities for the general public include the public seminars described above as well as Guided Nature Walks available at the Bouverie Preserve (pre-registration required. Call for more information) and drop-in interpretation from Ranch Guides during the spring nesting season at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.

Volunteer Opportunities

  Program:
Docent, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
  Description:
Lead 1½ hour hands-on programs in the classroom and 3½ hour field trips at the preserve for 4th and 5th grade students, exploring basic ecological concepts, local natural history and environmental stewardship.
  When Needed:
Fall and spring
  Qualifications:
Minimum age of at least 18 years. Have a genuine interest in working with children. Have an interest in learning about, and sharing appreciation for, nature. Have the ability to honor the basic time commitment described below. Complete the prescribed training and have the physical capacity to participate in the school education program. Demonstrate a respectful, flexible and confident presence working with volunteers, staff and visitors.
  Commitment Required:
Approximately one day each week for the eight week fall season and the 12 week spring season. Each day of volunteering will involve approximately 5 hours at the preserve or 2 hours at the classroom, in addition to travel time.
  Application/Training:
Applications can be obtained by calling the preserve office or by visiting the ACR website at www.egret.org, and should be filled out and submitted by the summer before each training program begins, however we are happy to accept applications year-round. Training begins with an orientation meeting in the spring or late summer and the training classes begin in September of even-numbered years. Each training program includes a series of 22 sessions that run from approximately 9am until 2pm. Trainings are held at the preserve and transportation is the responsibility of the trainee, however many trainees do arrange carpools. Training classes consist of lecture and hiking components, with an emphasis on local natural history and environmental education teaching techniques. After the initial training series, continuing education opportunities are provided for volunteers.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Yvonne Pierce
(415) 868-9244
acr@egret.org

 

Program:
Docent, Bouverie Preserve

  Description:
Lead 1½ hour hands-on programs in the classroom and 3½ hour field trips at the preserve for 3rd and 4th grade students, exploring basic ecological concepts, local natural history and environmental stewardship.
  When Needed:
Fall and spring
  Qualifications:
Minimum age of at least 18 years. Have a genuine interest in working with children. Have an interest in learning about, and sharing appreciation for, nature. Have the ability to honor the basic time commitment described below. Complete the prescribed training and have the physical capacity to participate in the school education program. Demonstrate a respectful, flexible and confident presence working with volunteers, staff and visitors.
  Commitment Required:
Approximately one day each week for the eight week fall season and the 12 week spring season. Each day of volunteering will involve approximately 5 hours at the preserve or 2 hours at the classroom, in addition to travel time.
  Application/Training:
Applications can be obtained by calling the preserve office or by visiting the website at www.egret.org, and should be filled out and submitted by the summer before each training program begins, however we are happy to accept applications year-round. Training begins with an orientation meeting in the spring or late summer and the training classes begin in September of odd-numbered years. Each training program includes a series of 22 sessions that run from approximately 9am until 2pm. Trainings are held at the preserve and transportation is the responsibility of the trainee, however many trainees do arrange carpools. Training classes consist of lecture and hiking components, with an emphasis on local natural history and environmental education teaching techniques. After the initial training series, continuing education opportunities are provided for volunteers.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Nancy Trbovich
(707) 938-4554
nancy@egret.org

 

Program:
Ranch Guide, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve

  When Needed:
Mid-March to Mid-July
  Qualifications:
Minimum age of at least 18 years. Have a genuine interest in working with the public. Have an interest in learning about, and sharing appreciation for, nature. Have the ability to honor the basic time commitment described below. Complete the prescribed training and have the physical capacity to participate in the Ranch Guide Public Season program. Demonstrate a respectful, flexible and confident presence working with volunteers, staff and visitors.
  Commitment Required:
After training, approximately four, weekend days per year during the spring Public Season. Each day of volunteering will involve approximately 8 hours at the preserve, in addition to travel time.
  Application/Training:
Applications can be obtained by calling the preserve office or by visiting the website at www.egret.org, and should be filled out and submitted before each winter training program begins, however we are happy to accept applications year-round. Training begins with an interview in the late fall or early winter and the training classes begin in late January or early February of alternate years. Each training program includes a series of 6 or 7 Saturday sessions that run from approximately 9am until 2pm. Trainings are held at the preserve and transportation is the responsibility of the trainee, however many trainees do arrange carpools. Training classes consist of lecture and hiking components, with an emphasis on local natural history and public education and facilitation techniques. After the initial training series, continuing education opportunities are provided for volunteers.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Yvonne Pierce
(415) 868-9244
acr@egret.org

 

Program:
Public Season Host, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve

  Description:
Greeting public visitors as they arrive at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve during the egret and heron nesting season. In addition to welcoming visitors, a host also asks visitors to make donations in support of ACR’s programs, orients visitors to the preserve parking and other facilities, provides general information about the preserve rules, and assists visitors in locating Ranch Guides for more information as desired.
  When Needed:
Mid-March to Mid-July
  Qualifications:
Minimum age of at least 18 years. Have a genuine interest in working with the public. Have an interest in supporting the work of Audubon Canyon Ranch and the ability to retain a pleasant demeanor when discussing donations and explaining preserve rules. Demonstrate a respectful, flexible and confident presence working with volunteers, staff and visitors.
  Commitment Required:
Each day of volunteering will involve approximately 6 hours at the preserve, in addition to travel time.
  Application/Training:
Training is done on-site the day you serve as a volunteer host. You may sign up to volunteer by calling the preserve office or by visiting our website at www.egret.org. Although we prefer to know of your interest before March each year, we are happy to hear from you year-round.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Yvonne Pierce
(415) 868-9244
acr@egret.org


Internship Opportunities:
We may be developing this opportunity in the near future. Those with interest should call their closest preserve or ACR Headquarters for current status.

Service Fee:
All components of our elementary school field trip programs are entirely FREE, and busing scholarships may be available to help with transportation costs. However, there are modest fees for participation in some of our public seminars and volunteer trainings. Volunteer training programs always offer scholarships. Donations are requested, but not required for Guided Nature Walks at the Bouverie Preserve and public season visits at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.

General Services:
Restrooms, Picnic Area, Bookstore/Gift Shop

Parking Availability:
Limited parking is available at ACR preserves, however public access is limited. Please call each preserve for access information. Drop in access is not available at Bouverie Preserve and is seasonally limited at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Large groups are encouraged to form carpools.

Public Transit Access:
Golden Gate Transit Bus to ACR-Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, runs from mid-March to mid-July only.

Disabled Access:
The Bolinas Lagoon Preserve has a wheelchair accessible trail in the picnic area immediately behind our display hall, from which nesting birds can be viewed. The display hall, restrooms and bookshop are also accessible, and we are working to make the educational ponds accessible in the near future. The Bouverie Preserve has an accessible education center (including restrooms) and outdoor deck/picnic area facing the preserve. This deck is a good bird-watching site. Bouverie Preserve has a newly constructed accessible trail leading to benches near a seasonal tributary. This location offers good birding opportunities and the feeling of being further afield.



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