Field Trips in Sonoma County
Free elementary school nature outings
Get your students out on the land to learn about tidal marsh ecology, biodiversity, adaptation, and climate change resilience at the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Swapping desks for marshlands with SLIME
Step beyond the classroom and into Sonoma County’s biodiverse wetlands with Students Learning in Marsh Environments (SLIME), hosted in partnership with Sonoma Ag + Open Space. Students engage in immersive, hands-on environmental education experiences that bring science to life.
Faqs
Yes. Transportation reimbursement scholarships are granted on a first-come, first-served basis as funding allows, with priority given to Title 1 schools and under-resourced schools. Thanks to our partners, Ag + Open Space, transportation reimbursement scholarships are available to Sonoma County schools. Transportation scholarships for schools outside Sonoma County are supported by our funders and donors.
Yes. While the SLIME field trip is designed for third and fourth grade classes, we are happy to adapt our content to accommodate grades 2–12.
The entrance to the San Pablo Bay Wildlife Refuge is located at the intersection of Lakeville Highway and Highway 37 (Sears Point Road). Buses and vehicles should park in the large gravel lot at the Sears Point Trail: 7699 Reclamation Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476. Please note that the entrance to the Refuge includes working farmlands. The field trip is conducted on the Sears Point levee, a short walk from the Sears Point Trail.
No. Schools are responsible for arranging their own transportation.
71%
of program participants are from Title 1 schools
54%
of program participants are from low-income households
295
public school classes participated in SLIME field trips in 2025
Students rave about SLIME
One of the best parts of SLIME is the feedback we get from the elementary school students who participate. These letters offer a glimpse into the meaningful and memorable experiences of past field trip attendees.
