PORTScast Calendar

All aboard for the Westward Bound School Program. Students step back in time for a virtual tour of the historic Central Pacific Railroad Station and learn about the people who worked and traveled on the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1870s.

Join us in learning about the Eel River watershed from Richardson Grove State Park! Watersheds are all around us and are made up of so many biotic and abiotic factors that work together to create a healthy watershed ecosystem. In this program we will discover your watershed and the Eel River watershed, explore the ecosystem, and see how all the pieces work together in the story of the salmon life cycle.

Hop on board the Horses to Horsepower Program at the California State Railroad Museum to experience what it was like to build the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad! Your conductor will virtually escort you to five different stations to Hop onboard to learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and about some of the men and women who made the railroad important to a growing nation and California.

Discover the hidden industries of early California near Livermore and Tracy. Explore the life of a coal miner in some of the first coal mines of CA and explore the life of a factory worker at what is now Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area. We will discuss company towns, risk and rewards of starting companies, and discrimination in the workplace. This program is for 3rd grade and above.

When you visit the tidepools you see all adult animals, but where are the tidepool babies and how do they look? Observe their microscopic forms and find out more about the lifecycle of some of our favorite tidepool animals. Natural Bridges Marine Protected Area allows these animals to grow up.

Massive wildfires often make the news, but can a smaller fire be a forest friend? Students will be introduced to the complexity of fire, how we have influenced it, and how important it is for the world’s biggest individual tree, the giant sequoia!

All aboard for the Westward Bound School Program. Students step back in time for a virtual tour of the historic Central Pacific Railroad Station and learn about the people who worked and traveled on the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1870s.

In the years following the Civil War, all-African American army regiments (popularly known as Buffalo Soldiers) eventually made their way to California where they would serve in newly established national parks. This program will explore their trails in California, and their contributions to the preservation of national parks in the West. We will also discuss the career of Colonel Allensworth, who built schools throughout the West, and later founded a freedmen’s town for the Buffalo Soldiers.

Join us on a 45-minute virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) to learn about tidepool habitats and the incredible adaptations that tidepool animals use to survive harsh environments where land meets the sea! Students explore topics including habitats, tides, adaptations, food chains, and defense mechanisms. Students also learn about Marine Protected Areas and how they help protect these fascinating and fragile tidepool ecosystems.

Join to explore the unique and varied ecosystems of Humboldt Redwoods State Park! Humans are a part of nature, and we have the ability to make significant changes to it. In this program we will explore the redwood, river and prairie ecosystems of Humboldt Redwoods. We will discuss human’s powerful role in ecosystems; how historic land use has negatively impacted them and how we can work together to heal landscapes. This program is designed for 5th-12th grade audiences.

An exclusive interview with a young gray whale on his first migration up the Pacific Coast. Learn about these marine mammals’ extraordinary annual journey, and how Marine Protected Area’s help them along the way. Get ready to take a deep dive and get the scoop into a really cool whale of life!

Just in time for Halloween, join us to uncover the secrets of some of nature’s most fascinating and mysterious predators—owls! Together, we’ll explore how their strangest features—like giant eyes, asymmetrical ears, and silent flight—are actually powerful adaptations for survival. This spooky-season special is sure to be a hoot for students as we dive into the many owl species that call California’s Central Coast home, live from Hearst San Simeon State Park.

What animals are awake at night, and how are they adapted to survive in the dark? Come solve some riddles with us as we explore some of the fascinating nocturnal animals at Carpinteria State Beach.

Join us at Gaviota State Park for a spooktacular draw along with this mysterious creature…the wolf eel! Together we’ll discover a bit about this majestic fish, its anatomy, and its habitat along the Santa Barbara Coast. Students will learn how to draw this special creature during this program. Program is great for all ages!

Join California State Parks for a special Halloween broadcast from San Elijo State Beach! This spooky seashore program dives into the eerie world of tidepool creatures that skitter, scuttle, and crawl. Meet the mysterious California spiny lobster and its crustacean cousins while learning their tricks for survival beneath the waves. From armored exoskeletons to claw-tastic adaptations, our interpretive rangers will reveal the not-so-scary secrets of these tidepool residents. We’ll also share how Marine Protected Areas help keep these ocean creatures and their coastal home safe for generations to come.

Discover the fascinating world of bats with Park Interpreters Erika and Mae at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Learn what makes these nocturnal creatures unique, from their amazing adaptations to their important role in nature. Explore their ties to Halloween and how we are helping conserve and research them right here in the park.

Six miles west of Redding a row of old, half-ruined, brick buildings remind passing motorists that Shasta City, the lusty “Queen City” of California’s northern mining district, once stood on this site. These ruins and some of the nearby roads, cottages, and cemeteries are all silent but eloquent vestiges of the intense activity centered here during the California gold rush. Experience a unique opportunity to explore the Union Cemetery and the histories of the pioneers buried there. A closer look at these past Shasta residents provides a fuller look into what living in the bustling Gold Rush City of Shasta during the 1800s was like.

Hop over to Angel Island State Park for a spooky retelling of a true story that happened in 1907. Help us solve the mysterious tale of the “devil of Angel Island” as we investigate newspaper clippings and historic photos of the Quarantine Station through a dramatic reenactment. (Psst, SPOILER ALERT to teachers: This story does NOT cover supernatural topics. The “devil” is a hopping animal from a land down under.)”

Grab paper and crayons and draw along with Interpreter Griffin at Los Encinos State Historic Park. Along the way we will learn about all of the parts of a Spider, what makes spiders different from insects and take a close up look at some local spiders.

Dive into the eerie depths this Halloween at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve as we explore the mysterious creatures that lurk in the ocean’s abyss! From the ghostly glow of bioluminescent fish to the haunting secrets of the deep, we’ll uncover how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help safeguard these fragile, otherworldly ecosystems. Join us for a thrilling journey beneath the waves, where conservation meets the unknown, and discover how we can all play a part in protecting our oceans’ spookiest inhabitants!

Unlock the mysteries of one of the world’s most fascinating organisms, the octopus! Join Park Interpreter Alex on the California coast for an engaging virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area and discover the fascinating adaptations octopuses use for survival. Students will discover a variety of octopus species while learning about animal defense mechanisms, life cycles, adaptations, human impacts, and how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are helping these curious and mesmerizing marine invertebrates.

“What is a gadget? How many gadgets did you use today? How are they different than the gadgets we may have used 150 years ago? Get a glimpse into the life of someone from the past by examining Victorian gadgets that were in use during the time of the Bidwells. Students will be tasked with unraveling the mysterious use of several gadgets. By the end of the program, students might find that they had more in common with the past than they originally thought.

Join us at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park as we explore the history of the Coloma Valley before, during and after the Gold Discovery. During our program, we will take a walk through our park and learn how the discovery of gold changed California both culturally and environmentally.

Learn how harbor seals are important to our ocean’s ecosystem, from their haul outs and nurseries to their incredible marine adaptations. Join us on November 6 from 9:00 to 10:00 am at Carpinteria State Beach!

It’s monarch season! Come along and virtually explore Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove! We’ll learn all about monarch migration, their fascinating life cycle, and how YOU can help them! This program is best suited for 2nd through 7th grade audiences.

Students will virtually visit MacKerricher State Park to explore the similarities and differences between humans and marine mammals, specifically the Harbor Seal! Students will observe and identify what crucial adaptations ensure seal survival in the cold Pacific waters of northern California. While we discuss Harbor Seals, we will talk about the MacKerricher State Marine Conservation Area and how this Marine Protected Area (MPA) ensures the health and safety of these marvelous marine mammals.

Join a State Park Interpreter from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to hear about the incredible story of the Marbled Murrelet. This seabird spends the far majority of its life floating along the coastline, but for a brief moment of their life, they can be seen dashing through the tops of redwoods. Join to learn more about this bird. Ultimately, this program will expand your knowledge of the Marbled Murrelet and what you can do to help them succeed!

Mount Tamalpais State Park is well-known for its views above the famous San Francisco Bay Area Fog. Besides being scenic, this coastal fog is what enables California’s majestic coast redwood forests to survive. Join this PORTScast to learn about this fog, including how it is being affected by climate change and what you can do to help!

Travel back in time to 1850’s California with Flat Stanley, the children’s book character, to learn how people lived without modern technologies. It’s going to be a fun, interactive experience, and we can’t wait to share it with your class at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park.

Join us on a 45-minute virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) to learn about tidepool habitats and the incredible adaptations that tidepool animals use to survive harsh environments where land meets the sea! Students explore topics including habitats, tides, adaptations, food chains, and defense mechanisms. Students also learn about Marine Protected Areas and how they help protect these fascinating and fragile tidepool ecosystems.

This program is led by Indigenous voices and grounded in cultural respect. Stone Lagoon, located within Humboldt Lagoons State Park, is home to the first tribally operated visitor center on California’s North Coast. Through exhibits, stories, and cultural knowledge, you are invited to learn how Yurok People have always lived with this land—through the materials we use, the ways we create, and the teachings we carry forward today.

Dive in and uncover the wonders waiting beneath the waves! Discover the enchanting underwater world of Gaviota State Park. We invite you to explore the vibrant kelp forests teeming with fascinating marine life. Learn to identify various kelp species and the unique creatures that call these underwater gardens home.

In this program, students will be introduced to the wonders of the giant sequoia and learn all about their cool adaptations. We will walk around part of a giant sequoia grove and discuss the human impacts on these ancient trees and the mixed conifer forest as a whole.

Join us from the shores of San Elijo State Beach, part of a Marine Protected Area, for a special reading of A House for a Hermit Crab by Eric Carle. This story time brings the beach to you as we follow a little hermit crab’s journey to find the perfect home. Along the way, we’ll meet some of the real-life ocean neighbors that share this protected coastline and learn how Marine Protected Areas help ensure they have safe, healthy habitats to call home. It’s a heartwarming tale with a splash of marine science: perfect for curious young ocean explorers.

Colonel Allen Allensworth was a man of vision- a Minister, Educator, City Planner and leader of the Buffalo Soldiers. In the twilight of his life he began building his dream, the Allensworth Freedom Colony. This program will take a closer look at the architecture and history of this unique African American community in California’s Great Central Valley.

Join us at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park as we explore the history of the Coloma Valley before, during and after the Gold Discovery. During our program, we will take a walk through our park and learn how the discovery of gold changed California both culturally and environmentally.

Discover the hidden industries of early California near Livermore and Tracy. Explore the life of a coal miner in some of the first coal mines of CA and explore the life of a factory worker at what is now Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area. We will discuss company towns, risk and rewards of starting companies, and discrimination in the workplace. This program is for 3rd grade and above.

It’s monarch season! Come along and virtually explore Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove! We’ll learn all about monarch migration, their fascinating life cycle, and how YOU can help them! This program is best suited for 2nd through 7th grade audiences.

Explore the towering coast redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State Park in this virtual program and uncover the secret to their incredible height and longevity—water! Learn how these forest giants rely on fog, rain, and unique adaptations to thrive in their coastal and changing environment. Redwoods are more than just tree — they are living testaments to the power of adaptation and the magic of nature!

Dive deep into the fascinating lives of Northern Elephant Seals from Hearst San Simeon State Park! Watch these animals live from the largest mainland elephant seal rookery in the world while learning about the astounding adaptations that allow them to dive deep, migrate thousands of miles per year, go months without eating, and so much more.

Creeks. Streams. Estuaries. Oh my! Gaviota has it all. Come on out and explore the amazing biodiversity in the Gaviota Creek Watershed and our role in its preservation.

Unlock the mysteries of one of the world’s most fascinating organisms, the octopus! Join Park Interpreter Alex on the California coast for an engaging virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area and discover the fascinating adaptations octopuses use for survival. Students will discover a variety of octopus species while learning about animal defense mechanisms, life cycles, adaptations, human impacts, and how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are helping these curious and mesmerizing marine invertebrates.

Join PORTS virtually for an accessible chair yoga session! Find peace and grounding from the comfort of your classroom or home. An opportunity to learn how to stretch the body and increase your flexibility with mindful movement. All you need is time and a chair to let all your stress drift out to sea.

Join California State Parks Interpreter Kat at MacKerricher State Park in reading the story book “The Snail and the Whale” by Julia Donaldson! Students will meet a snail riding on the tail of a whale through the ocean! One day the snail must save the whale, but she worries she may be too small for the job. Students will discuss how we can be like the snail by using small actions to make a big difference, especially in the lives of ocean animals!

It’s not only giants sequoias that need to survive all seasons at Calaveras Big Trees! Students will be introduced to giant sequoias and other living things that call this place home as well as their adaptations to handle the mountain weather. This program takes place inside our Visitor Center museum.

Join us on a 45-minute virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) to learn about tidepool habitats and the incredible adaptations that tidepool animals use to survive harsh environments where land meets the sea! Students explore topics including habitats, tides, adaptations, food chains, and defense mechanisms. Students also learn about Marine Protected Areas and how they help protect these fascinating and fragile tidepool ecosystems.

Join a California State Parks Interpreter from Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for a program on fire ecology. Learn about the history of fire as a management tool in Northern California, as well as the importance of fire to our unique coastal redwood ecosystem.

Join us for a special marine mammal program! We’ll discuss the most common marine mammal on Angel Island – the harbor seal. We’ll learn about the differences between seals and sea lions, what and where seal native habitat can be found, and how King Tides and sea-level rise impact harbor seal habitat. We’ll also learn about how humans can do their part to protect this adorable mammal. Teachers – make sure your students have space on the floor to wriggle and roll like a seal!

Join Interpreters Isabella and Ashley at Asilomar State Beach and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to learn about the inspiring conservation stories of several animals that call Monterey Bay home. Explore how sea otters, whales, and abalone have made remarkable recoveries thanks to dedicated conservation efforts!