Our three different Eco-Tours offer outdoor experiential learning opportunities for grades K-12.

RIDDLES OF THE CITY FOREST

For kindergarten and 1st grade students

This 1.5-hour program takes students on a gentle hike to solve riddles about the city forest and learn how they can help it thrive. They'll visit the Dirt Doctor’s laboratory, receive a message from Water Drop, discover nature’s treasures in disguise, and plant seeds to take home after their trip!

TREASURES OF THE CITY FOREST

For 2nd - 5th grade students

This 2-hour program takes students on a quest to earn treasure rings that symbolize nature’s cycles in the city forest. They’ll visit the Compost Gourmet Kitchen, see it rain at our Urban Watershed Garden, have a ball playing the Air Exchange game, discover nature’s treasures in disguise, and plant seeds to take home and care for. The experience results in a better understanding of the city forest and how we can help it thrive!

BASIC FOREST PRINCIPLES

For 6th - 12th grade students

This 2-hour program takes students on a moderate hike through Coldwater Canyon Park including stops at our native plant nursery, Parking Grove, Urban Watershed Garden, and LEED Platinum-certified conference center. Students observe the Basic Forest Principles at work through a variety of sustainable solutions and earn medallions along the way. The tour also includes a visit to the Environmental Learning Center, where the students will plant a seed to take home with them!

Dates: Eco-Tours are available Monday through Friday with a maximum capacity of 100 students per day. You can view available dates in green on our calendar.

Time: 10 a.m.
Please arrive at 9:30 a.m. if your class is having a snack prior to the tour.

Location: 12601 Mulholland Drive.
Bus parking is available. TreePeople’s Parking Grove is limited in space, so you must arrive by bus.

Cost: $10 per attendee, including parent chaperones. No charge for teachers.
There is a 10 student minimum. TreePeople’s chaperone policy is 1 adult for every 10 students.

TEACHER RESOURCES

With inspiration from what they learned during their Eco-Tour to Coldwater Canyon Park along with classroom lessons and schoolyard investigations, students can choose a service learning project to help their school or neighborhood become more of a functioning community forest – a magical city forest! Educators, please explore this free resource for additional classroom lessons and schoolyard investigations: A Teacher’s Guide to the Urban Forest (Grades K-5).

BOOK AN ECO-TOUR THROUGH OUR CALENDAR

Questions? Please contact ecotours@treepeople.org.

If you would like to Adopt-a-Class and provide financial support for schools to attend an Eco-Tour, please make a donation here.

For second through fifth grade students of the cities of San Fernando and Huntington Park:

• Rudy Ortega Park, San Fernando
  • Located directly in the City of San Fernando, Rudy Ortega Sr. Park is a great location for participants to learn about their local watershed and the native plants in Southern California. Designed to reflect San Fernando’s rich history, this 3.5 acre park is a great place to explore the parks' unique features. Participants will embark on a native plant scavenger hunt, enhancing their understanding of the local ecosystems while allowing participants to connect with a green space that is local to their community.
• Salt Lake Park, Huntington Park
  • Salt Lake Park, spanning approximately 23 acres, stands as the largest park in the city of Huntington Park, serving as a cherished community hub. Within its expansive grounds, the park offers ample green spaces and infrastructure, making it an ideal setting to explore topics such as watersheds—both natural and man-made—and the dynamics of water flow within the community. Embark on a guided tour through the park, where plants and diverse tree species serve as focal points for discussions on soil health and the significance of native versus non-native plants allowing participants to connect with green spaces local to their community.

For sixth through twelfth grade students from Title I Schools:

• The Audubon Center at Debs Park, Los Angeles
  • Nestled within the 282-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, the Audubon Center is the home to the first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum certified building in the country. This field trip includes a guided nature walk to observe a variety of sustainable solutions, including renewable energy, water conservation, recycled building materials, and native landscaping.
• Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas
  • Tucked amidst the stunning Santa Monica Mountains, this picturesque park offers an unparalleled outdoor classroom experience. This field trip features guided exploration through Malibu Creek’s Chaparral and Riparian environments, where participants will delve into topics such as water pollution prevention and the significance of keystone species in safeguarding our local watersheds. Along the way, students will gain a deeper understanding of how human activities impact watersheds and the importance of conservation efforts, allowing participants to compare and contrast how this environment differs or resembles their local watershed.
• Rio de Los Angeles State Park, Los Angeles
  • Explore the vibrant ecosystems of Rio de Los Angeles State Park on an unforgettable field trip! Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, this urban oasis offers a unique opportunity for students to connect with nature and learn about local biodiversity. Students will have the chance to visit the LA River and discover current efforts to revitalize and restore the park, which was formerly utilized as a rail yard in 1875. This field trip includes a guided nature walk where students will learn about the importance of a healthy watershed, identify native plants, and discover restoration efforts aimed at protecting the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo.
• UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve, Calabasas
  • UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve is nestled in the scenic Santa Monica Mountains of Calabasas. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, this site provides unique research opportunities for teaching, research, and public service. This field trip includes a guided hike through serene chaparral and oak woodland, immersing participants in the wonders of nature and offering firsthand insights into the fundamental principles that govern our forests. Please note that this trip includes a 15-minute hike down to the reserve, followed by the ascent back up at the end. While the path is paved, it does feature a considerable incline.

Cost: $250 per presentation, up to 25 participants.

BOOK A TRAVELING DIRT DOCTOR PRESENTATION

Questions? Please contact ecotours@treepeople.org.