Field Trips

Pre-Conference Workshops • Field Trips

Pre-Conference Workshops

NAME hopes to serve a wider, more diverse marine and aquatic educator audience by offering an exciting set of pre-conference community workshops at this conference. All workshops will be held on Sunday July 13th, 2014 at the times posted below and will be held at the Barn in Bandon, OR.  Lunch, all instruction, and related materials are included in the price for the workshop selected. Additionally, if you are already a NAME member, or you sign up for the entire conference at the non-member rate, you get a discount on workshop registration. We encourage you to do just that—and join our marine/aquatic family for one of the finest learning experiences of your life! These workshops have minimum and maximum attendance numbers so register as early as possible to take advantage of the opportunities. Use the conference registration form even if you aren’t attending the NAME conference. There are three workshops to choose from:

1. Connecting Communities through Quests—CANCELLED

Instructor: Cait Goodwin, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon Sea Grant

Time: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm • Minimum = 6 participants / Maximum = 20 participants
Cost: Members $50/ Non-members $60

In this workshop, participants will learn how to bring young people and adults together to tell the story of place through Quest-building. Quests are self-guided clue-directed hunts that get people outside exploring the natural, cultural and historical “treasures” in communities.

In 2007, Oregon Sea Grant brought Questing to the Pacific Northwest with the creation of the place-based Oregon Coast Quests education program. Oregon Coast Quests currently maintains more than 26 active Quests in Oregon, many of which focus on aquatic and marine topics. Teachers and youth group leaders use Quests as field trip activities, and have also been guiding students through the process of creating new Quests for the public.  Through Quest-building, students get to know an outdoor space, learn from community experts, and then communicate what they have learned in a creative format.

We will discuss the format and educational philosophy of Questing, and try our hand at building a short practice Quest. After this training, many participants will go back inspired with ideas for creating local Quests.

2. Interpretation for Free-Choice Learning—CANCELLED

Instructor: Dr. Shawn Rowe, Associate Professor OSU; Free-Choice Learning Lead, Oregon Sea Grant.

Time: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm • Minimum = 6 participants / Maximum = 24 participants
Cost: Members $40/ Non-members $50

Suggested Audience: Interpreters who work with visitors to the coast; volunteers and staff in aquariums, zoos, and nature centers; teachers who want to work with their kids outdoors

This session will introduce participants to basic ideas from research about how people learn when they have choice and control in their learning as well as how to use interpretive techniques to facilitate that learning.  Participants will work individually and in small groups to explore key ideas from learning research and interpretation practice as well as design ways to use those ideas in their own practice.  Resources for continuing to learn more as well as develop stronger practice in interpretation in free-choice learning environments will be provided.

3. Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) Training Session

Instructor: TBD
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Minimum = 5 participants / Maximum = 30 participants
Cost: Free* or optional lunch for $15.
Suggested Audience: Beachwalkers and Birders

Help make a difference for the environment by collecting data for the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST). COASST is a citizen science project dedicated to involving volunteers in the collection of high quality data on the status of coastal beaches, and trends of seabirds. Our goal is to assist government agencies and other organizations in making informed management and conservation decisions, and promote proactive citizen involvement and action. COASST volunteers systematically count and identify bird carcasses that wash ashore along ocean beaches from northern California to Alaska.

At this training session, hear how COASST started, learn how to use the custom Beached Birds field guide, and try out your new skills with some actual specimens.  Volunteers need NO experience with birds, just a commitment to survey a specific beach (about ¾ mile) each month. *Please plan to provide $20 if you would like to take home a COASST volunteer kit complete with a COASST Beached Birds field guide.

Note: If you have already registered and would like to add this workshop to your registration, please contact registration @pacname.org.

Field Trips

Saturday, July 12th—Newport, Oregon • Back to Top

If you are traveling south to Bandon, break up the dive and spend some time in Newport, located just 122 miles north of Bandon on Hwy 101.  NAME is offering a set of pre-conference field experiences to enjoy.  Wake up early to explore tidepools with a guide, take a behind the scenes tour of the Hatfield Marine Science Center to learn about the latest research, and spend the afternoon on the water with Marine Discovery Tours!  There’s plenty of time to find lunch on the historic Newport Bayfront or Nye Beach at one of the many great restaurants and spend the night at one of the many lodging options. Continue your drive to Bandon in the morning to attend a pre-conference workshop on Sunday or arrive later for the evening opening reception.

1. Seal Rock Tidepool Walk

7:00 am – 9:00 am • Minimum = 5 participants / Maximum = 25 participants
$5/participant • Late registration begins July 1st $10/participant

Seal Rock is an ideal location to discover animals and plants that are usually unobservable except at low tides. We have a negative 2.5 tide at 6:55 on the 12th. Seal Rock is the most southern extant of the Columbia River flood basalt which formed the dikes and sills creating the extraordinary tide pools we enjoy today.

2. Behind the Scenes tour of Hatfield Marine Science Center and Maritime Museum

10:00 am – 12:30 pm • Minimum = 5 participants / Maximum = 25 participants
$10/participant • Late registration begins July 1st $20/participant

Learn about the research conducted at the Hatfield Marine Science Center through a special "behind the scenes" tour. Bill Hanshumaker has 20 years of experience at HMSC and will share many of the marine science discoveries that have occurred at HMSC.  The Pacific Maritime and Heritage Center opened in June, 2013 on Newport's Yaquina Bay.  Steve Wyatt, the executive director, will lead our tour of the entire facility, including the floors normally closed to the general public. Come enjoy the maritime history exhibits and a stunning view of Yaquina Bay form the roof-top deck.

3. Marine Discovery Tour

2:15 pm – 4:30 pm • Maximum = 49 participants
$26/participant • Late registration begins July 1st $36/participant

The welcoming staff and crew of Marine Discovery Tours offer a true Oregon adventure for visitors near and far.  Join naturalists on board the 65ft DISCOVERY for a cruise to search for gray whales, harbor porpoise, seals, sea lions, pelicans, bald eagles and an abundance of marine birds.  Enjoy incredible scenery of the Yaquina Bay, river and coastline featuring the largest fishing fleet on the Oregon Coast, the historic Yaquina Bay Bridge, two lighthouses and fun activities for learners of all ages!  The cruise route varies depending on ocean conditions so as to provide a safe and comfortable experience for everyone. 

Tuesday, July 15th • Back to Top

All trips will depart from The Barn, and carpooling will be arranged to get to field sites.

1. Cape Arago Guided Tidepool Walk

7:45 am – 12:30 pm • Minimum = 5 participants / Maximum = 25 participants
$10/participant • Late registration beginning July 1st $20/participant

Explore the intertidal area with Oregon Parks and Recreation interpretive rangers. Come walk on the bottom of the sea on this incredible extreme-low-tide adventure! Get to know the animals and plants of the tidepools while learning about the habitat zones of the rocky intertidal area. Discuss the challenges faced by these creatures who live on the edge, and the adaptations they use to survive this harsh place. We will meet at the top of the South Cove trailhead and hike down together on the trail and out onto the rocks. We will also stop at Simpson Reef on our way back, one of the premier marine mammal viewing areas along the coast- you will be able to view seals and sea lions, maybe even a gray whale! Please wear supportive shoes you wouldn't mind getting a bit wet, such as hiking boots or tennis shoes- no flip-flops. This is one of the lowest tides of the summer—don't miss it!

2. South Slough Interpretive Center and guided hike: Digging Deep into South Slough’s Past

8:00 am – 12:30 pm • Minimum = 5 participants / Maximum = 25 participants
$10/participant • Late registration beginning July 1st $20/participant

Come explore the trails and marshes of the first National Estuarine Research Reserve in the nation at South Slough in Charleston, Oregon.  After a brief introduction to the exhibits at the Interpretive Center, we will hike along the Hidden Creek trail investigating changes in water quality as the watershed transitions to a pristine tidal marsh.  On the marsh, we will dig deep to learn how marshes store carbon and act as a record of the past revealing a dramatic day in the life of the estuary over 300 years ago!

Dress for the weather with sturdy hiking boots.  Some mud will be encountered.

3. Port Orford Heads – Saltwater Wildlife Viewing Kayak Tour

7:45 am – 12:30 pm • Minimum = 2 participants / Maximum = 7 participants
$90/participant • Late registration beginning July 1st $100/participant

Let South Coast Tours take you on a near shore ocean adventure! Explore a large and beautiful headland protected by Oregon State Parks full of secret coves, a cultural site, kelp beds, Aquarium Arch paddle through, the working fishing port of Port Orford, as well as access to and views of Redfish Rocks Marine Research Reserve and Humbug Mountain to the south. There are multiple colonies of Cormorants, Black Oyster Catchers, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, and lots of seasonal birds to be seen as well as Harbor Seal pupping grounds and resting areas nearby.  It is not uncommon to see Gray Whales from late winter through to the fall migration. 

The tour offers the full set of equipment needed for sit on top kayaks and an expert guide in a small group setting.  Participants 14 years of age and older can paddle in single kayaks while those 8 and up can paddle tandem with an adult.

4. Matson Creek Wetland Preserve:  Restoration, Native Plant Nursery, and Outdoor Classroom

8:00 am – 12:30 pm • Minimum = 5 participants / Maximum = 15 participants
$15/participant • Late registration beginning July 1st $25/participant

Join the Coos Watershed Association for a tour of Matson Creek Wetland Preserve! The Preserve, a 155-acre preserve owned by The Wetlands Conservancy, was historically a dairy barn and is now the home base for the Coos Watershed Association’s education programs. You will have the opportunity to: Explore a 110-acre tidal restoration project, visit the pre-restoration phase of a stream-meandering project, learn about the ways we are involving youth in the native plant nursery and on-site restoration work and give us your suggestions for how to continue utilizing this site for education. Past student projects/activities will be showcased.
 
Bring your camera, binoculars, and muck boots!

5. Exploring Port Orford's Resources—People and the Planet

8:00 am – 12:30 pm • Minimum = 10 participants / Maximum = 30 participants
$15/participant • Late registration beginning July 1st $25/participant

Port Orford is place full of natural wonders and history.  It is the oldest township on the Oregon Coast and is home to a unique ecological region, both on land and in the sea.  The community is fiercely proud of its resources that it has depended upon for 156 years. With the collapse of the timber industry, and tougher restrictions on fishing, the community is now striving to support its industry through innovative stewardship efforts.  Come join us, see the area's natural wonders and learn about what one community is doing to secure its future.

Thursday, July 17th • Back to Top

All trips will depart from The Barn, and carpooling will be arranged to get to field sites.

1. The Importance of Play, at New River ACEC

10:30 am – 1:30 pm* • Minimum = 6 participants / Maximum = 50 participants
$5/participant • Late registration beginning July 1st $10/participant

Have you struggled with bringing the concepts in your boring textbooks to life?  Are you looking for inspiration for creativity, kinesthetic activities, and sensory experiential approaches to learning?  Join us for a fun-filled day of outdoor play at New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), where we will rediscover our sense of wonder and adventure in environmental education.  The field trip will include several games and activities that you can incorporate into your lessons, an exploratory hike, and a workshop session.  While you're here, feel free to enjoy the beautiful dune ecology of the southern Oregon coast, absorb a plethora of natural sights--including hummingbirds, endangered plants, and wildflowers, and... most importantly... HAVE FUN! 

*Please plan on bringing your own lunch or eating afterwards.

Note: If you have already registered and would like to add this workshop to your registration, please contact registration @pacname.org.