Climate Archives - PORTS Program

Trees of the Tahoe Basin

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Climate, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, People, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Trees of the Tahoe Basin Come learn about the amazing trees of Sugar Pine Point State Park and their adaptations to the harsh mountain climates of the Tahoe Basin. We will build a tree identification guide and investigate distinct features of tree species in the area.... Read MoreRead more about Trees of the Tahoe Basin

Water: California’s Most Precious Resource

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, History, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs

Water: California’s Most Precious Resource Come along as we explore how agriculture in California’s Central Valley demand for water led to the creation of one of the world's largest water infrastructure projects to quench the industries thirst. In this program... Read MoreRead more about Water: California’s Most Precious Resource

California Redwoods vs. Climate Change

Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, History, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Small Actions, BIG TREES: The Story of the Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia Forests

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, History, People, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Tough Trees: Fire Adaptations of Giant Sequoias and Coast Redwoods

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Battle of the Extremes: Giant Sequoia vs. Coast Redwood

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Fire! A California Story

Animals, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Columbia State Historic Park, History, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

The Cost of Gold: Environmental Impacts of the Gold Rush

Animals, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Columbia State Historic Park, History, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Cardboard box filled with assorted bird elements including nests and bird feathers. labeled "bird migration" on the front.

Bird Migration with Chino Hills State Park

6-8, 9-12, Animals, Chino Hills State Park, Climate, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Bird Migration with Chino Hills State Park Migratory Birds have been a main visitor to Chino Hills State Park since before its inception. Come visit the park in this virtual program to learn about which seasonal birds come to breed here and which come to winter here.... Read MoreRead more about Bird Migration with Chino Hills State Park

Aerial view of two gray whales swimming together and exhaling from blowholes.

The Gray Whale Road Trip at Point Dume State Beach!

3-5, Animals, Climate, History, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Point Dume State Beach, PORTS Programs, Science

The Gray Whale Road Trip at Point Dume State Beach! Gray whales migrate along the shores of Malibu every year in an ever-changing environment. This program gives an in depth look at what this migration is like for California's largest state animal, the Pacific Gray... Read MoreRead more about The Gray Whale Road Trip at Point Dume State Beach!

In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, K-2, Places, Plants, Science

In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park Located in Anderson Valley, along Highway 128, Hendy Woods acts as a great stop for those traveling any distance from inland locations to reach the coast. Our educational... Read MoreRead more about In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park

In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, History, Places, Plants, Science, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area Explore the Water Cycle at Silverwood Lake SRA! During this two hour fieldtrip, students will learn where all of California's water comes from, through the establishment of The California Water Project.... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Wetlands with reeds growing amongst the lagoon, driftwood scatted in the horizon.

Self Guided In-Person Field Trip at Humboldt Lagoons

Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Humboldt Lagoons State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Science

Self Guided In-Person Field Trip at Humboldt Lagoons Self Guided Field Trip at Humboldt Lagoons State Park! Self-Guided Field Trips at Humboldt Lagoons State Park are facilitated independently by K-12 grade teachers, college educators, chaperones, and/or youth... Read MoreRead more about Self Guided In-Person Field Trip at Humboldt Lagoons

An ocean cove at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve with a rocky shoreline covered in brush.

Kayak Quest: Explore Above and Below the Ocean’s Surface

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, Plants, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, PORTS Programs, Science

Kayak Quest: Explore Above and Below the Ocean’s Surface Join us for an unforgettable kayaking adventure at the “crown jewel of the California State Park System”, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. We will paddle above the enchanting underwater kelp forest in... Read MoreRead more about Kayak Quest: Explore Above and Below the Ocean’s Surface

A bear with a white tag labeled 278 in its left ear looks at the camera from its perch in a pine tree.

Tahoe’s Urban Bears

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Climate, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, K-2, People, PORTS Programs

Tahoe’s Urban Bears Come meet Rubi the bear at Sugar Pine Point State Park. In this program we will explore the differences between wildland bears of the Tahoe backcountry and our mischievous city bears that have become more and more comfortable around humans.... Read MoreRead more about Tahoe’s Urban Bears

Up close image of a poppy field in Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

Mojave Desert Grassland Adaptations

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve, Climate, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Mojave Desert Grassland Adaptations The Mojave Desert can be a harsh place to live. The Antelope Valley CA Poppy Reserve sits on the western border of the Mojave desert. Here native grasses and annual flowers flourish. Walk with a State Park Interpreter through the... Read MoreRead more about Mojave Desert Grassland Adaptations

Geology of the South Yuba River

3-5, 6-8, Climate, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, South Yuba River State Park, STEAM

Geology of the South Yuba River South Yuba River State Park is situated along its namesake South Yuba River, one of the numerous rivers that carve their way through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Each of these rivers has unique geology that influences all aspects of... Read MoreRead more about Geology of the South Yuba River

In-Person Field Trip: Half Moon Bay State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Half Moon Bay State Beach, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, Plants, Science

In-Person Field Trip: Half Moon Bay State Park Welcome teachers! There are 4 different field trip offerings available at Half Moon Bay. Please read the descriptions below for details about subjects, grade levels, and locations! Want to find more PassPORTS Programs?... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trip: Half Moon Bay State Park

Anza Borrego Desert State Park In-Person Field Trips

Animals, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Plants, Science, STEAM

Anza Borrego Desert State Park In-Person Field Trips Explore Anza Borrego Desert State Park! Please visit the Field Trip Guide landing page to learn all about bringing students on a self-guided field trip to Anza Borrego. When you are ready to schedule, please use the... Read MoreRead more about Anza Borrego Desert State Park In-Person Field Trips

In-Person Field Trip: The Language of the Forest

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Places, Science

In-Person Field Trip: The Language of the Forest Transport your students to the high-altitudes of Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's longest and steepest rotating car! Through sensory exploration, this program... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trip: The Language of the Forest

a white lighthouse with small white house with red roof and two chimneys on the edge of a cliff with the ocean on the left.

Lighthouse Engineer Challenge

6-8, Animals, Climate, Oceans and Watersheds, Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Lighthouse Engineer Challenge Lighthouses do all kinds of jobs all over the world! This 45 minute program challenges students to become lighthouse engineers. Students will learn about the technology and engineering that goes into building and operating a lighthouse.... Read MoreRead more about Lighthouse Engineer Challenge

Mysteries of the Octopus: Adaptations and the Life Cycle of a Curious Marine Invertebrate at Crystal Cove State Park

3-5, Animals, Climate, Crystal Cove State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, PORTS Programs, Science

Mysteries of the Octopus: Adaptations and the Life Cycle of a Curious Marine Invertebrate at Crystal Cove State Park 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... Read MoreRead more about Mysteries of the Octopus: Adaptations and the Life Cycle of a Curious Marine Invertebrate at Crystal Cove State Park

Tall pine trees on a mountain top covered with snow

Footprints of the Forest

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Places, PORTS Programs

Footprints of the Forest Join us for a high-altitude virtual field trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto State PArk and Wilderness! In the first state wilderness in California, things are *extra* wild and need your help in keeping it that way.... Read MoreRead more about Footprints of the Forest

Jaw-some Great Whites

3-5, Animals, Climate, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs, Science, Torrey Pines State Beach

Jaw-some Great Whites Join us at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for an unforgettable underwater adventure exploring the fascinating world of great white sharks! In this interactive, educational program, students will discover the amazing adaptations that make... Read MoreRead more about Jaw-some Great Whites

Harbor Seal Adaptations!

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, K-2, MacKerricher State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Harbor Seal Adaptations! 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... Read MoreRead more about Harbor Seal Adaptations!

Rooted in Survival: Unveiling the Resilient World of Coast Redwoods

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, K-2, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Rooted in Survival: Unveiling the Resilient World of Coast Redwoods Rooted in Survival is an exciting virtual field trip that brings the wonders of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park straight to your classroom or learning space! Designed for students in grades K–8,... Read MoreRead more about Rooted in Survival: Unveiling the Resilient World of Coast Redwoods

A great white shark smiles for the camera.

Sharks: Fact or Fiction?

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Carpinteria State Beach, Climate, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science

Sharks: Fact or Fiction? Through a fun and interactive program, students will identify facts from misconceptions about one of the ocean’s most interesting predators, sharks! During the program, we will discuss shark physiology, adaptations, sharks on the Pacific... Read MoreRead more about Sharks: Fact or Fiction?

Black and white photo of a gentleman using a long stick to pull tar from a barrel.

Tar, Not Just a Nuisance!

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Carpinteria State Beach, Climate, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Tar, Not Just a Nuisance! Let’s discover the active tar seeps at Carpinteria State Beach! Students will learn about why and how tar continues to seep on our coast. We will then observe a series of historical or modern scenes of tar and discuss and decide whether this... Read MoreRead more about Tar, Not Just a Nuisance!

Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change: (Recommended for grades 5th-12th) As the keepers of a complex ecosystem, the coast redwoods interact with our Earth cycles in many ways. Even as resilient as the redwoods are, they... Read MoreRead more about Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change

Redwood Anatomy and Adaptations

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Redwood Anatomy and Adaptations Towering above all else that grows in nature, the coast redwood is a marvel among trees. Able to survive for over 2,000 years, these gentle giants display a wealth of adaptations that allow them to thrive in the Pacific Northwest.... Read MoreRead more about Redwood Anatomy and Adaptations