The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center

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Child The Dunes Center Partners with the Smithsonian to offer scholarships for qualified local students to attend a field research station in Panama and to attend a two week program in Washington DC.


Field-based Learning
We currently offer two field-based programs at local natural areas within the Dunes Complex: 1. Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area 2. Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve 3. Schoolyard Biodiversity Monitoring (basic) 3. Schoolyard Biodiversity Monitoring (expanded)

Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area
Approximate Length: 4 hours Grades: K-12th Cost: 35-60 students = $150, 61-105 students=$250 (Requires two Staff members). Accommodate a maximum of 105 students per day. Chaperones and Teachers are free. We offer an interactive field trip to Oso Flaco Lake that incorporates our educational modules . In addition, we can tailor field-based programs to meet your classroom or curriculum needs. We offer two types of field-based programs: 1) docent led walk with activities that introduce the diversity of wildlife, plants, and habitats we have in the dunes, and 2) an inquiry-based hike that reinforces natural science concepts and vocabulary and provides challenging data collection activities (recommended for Grades 5 th-8 th). Please note that this field trip can only accommodate a maximum of 105 students per day. Reserve your space now by clicking here!

Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
Approximate Length: 4 hours Grades: K-12th Cost: 35-60 students = $150, 61-105 students=$250 (Requires two Staff members). Accommodate a maximum of 105 students per day. Chaperones and Teachers are free. This year the Dunes Center is offering field-based programs at Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve. These programs are designed to engage students in community service such as, the removal of invasive species and/or the removal of litter from the beaches. In addition to the service projects, we also provide a docent led walk that introduces students to the life history of the Western Snowy Plover and other breeding birds with the Preserve. Reserve your space now by clicking here!
Schoolyard Biodiversity Monitoring (Basic)
Approximate Length: 5 hours Grades: 6th-12th Cost: $200 per classroom (up to 35 students) Note: 10% discount if you schedule more than 1 module per day. If you want to schedule a module for more than 35 students, the cost is $2.00 per additional student up to 40 students. The purpose of The Dunes Center Remote Sensing and Biodiversity Monitoring Unit is to teach students the methods of biodiversity monitoring while at the same time challenge students to use these skills in the field to help them understand how important species diversity is to a healthy habitat and ecosystem. This is done through the following activities: 1. An in-class introduction to using x and y axis quadrants as a method to monitor biodiversity. 2. An exploration of the complexities of biodiversity monitoring using vocabulary such as relative abundance, species abundance, and invasive/endemic species. 3. A field study of Oso Flaco Lake using the scientific method to investigate the effects invasive species has on the dunes ecosystem. Reserve your space now by clicking here!
Remote Sensing and Biodiversity Monitoring (Expanded Program)
Approximate Length: 8 hours (Four - 1 hour class periods and one 4 hour field study at Oso Flaco Lake) Grades: 6th - 12th Cost: $300 per classroom (up to 35 students) The purpose of The Dunes Center Remote Sensing and Biodiversity Monitoring Unit is to teach students the methods of biodiversity monitoring while at the same time challenge students to use these skills in the field to help them understand how important species diversity is to a healthy habitat and ecosystem. This is done through the following activities: 1. An in-class introduction to using x and y axis quadrants as a method to monitor biodiversity. 2. An exploration of the complexities of biodiversity monitoring using vocabulary such as relative abundance, species abundance, and invasive/endemic species. 3. A field study of Oso Flaco Lake using the scientific method to investigate the effects invasive species has on the dunes ecosystem. 4. An opportunity to learn how remote sensing and GPS can be applied to biological sciences. This includes using data and information to create biodiversity related maps.