PORTScast Calendar
Did PORTScasts just become your new favorite show?
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!