Program Overview
Research has demonstrated that time spent outdoors positively impacts children's physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Pease Park Conservancy has developed a robust children’s field trip program that activates Pease Park as an outdoor classroom and engages kids of all ages in experiencing the sights, scents, sounds, and textures of the outdoors.
Field trips to Pease Park, facilitated by Pease Park Conservancy, are service-learning opportunities where students volunteer in the park and learn about the environment through a curriculum thoughtfully designed by the Conservancy in partnership with Families In Nature. These field trips not only align with STEAM initiatives, but they also inspire creative thinking and offer students unique, hands-on learning opportunities.
Through this program we aim to help students
engage with nature
improve environmental literacy
learn more about an expanding field of study and potential career path
Field Trip Structure
The Pease Park Conservancy team customizes each field trip to be reflective of the lessons being taught to students in the classroom at the time. A typical field trip in Pease Park will include:
An introduction to the idea of a Conservancy and a nonprofit
30-45 minutes of volunteering with the Conservancy's Park Operations Team
30-45 minutes of learning and exploring nature, led by Pease Park Conservancy's Community Engagement Team
Lunch & free play
Lessons & Activities
Pease Park Conservancy field trip leaders guide students on an ecological tour of the park, pointing out relevant environmental science lessons along the way. These experiences are aligned with what the students have been learning in the classroom and the seasons impacting what is most visible and interactive in the park. Students learn and share their knowledge of topics such as seed dispersal, water cycles, plant lifecycles, habitats, and more.
Volunteerism
It is Pease Park Conservancy's goal to not only maintain Pease Park, but to ensure the sustainable and equitable enjoyment of the 84-acre green space for all. At these field trips, children learn about the importance of giving back to the community and how they can inspire positive change in the world. Students assist our Park Operations and Conservation Teams in pertinent land stewardship tasks, including:
Planting
Seeding
Weeding
Mulching
Litter Pick-Up
And more!
The Conservancy is committed to creating equitable access to nature for all. Through grants and donations, the Conservancy is able to fully fund these field trips for Title 1 schools. This includes travel, lunch, and take-back-to-the-classroom curriculum for each Title 1 school that participates. The Conservancy's hope is to inspire students to love our planet and to inspire future generations of environmental stewards.
request a peasecology school field trip
Requesting one of these guided excursions for your class is easy Pease-y!
Review available field trip dates from the calendar below
Submit a field trip request by filling out the following form
Once you submit a form, a member of the Conservancy’s team will contact you via email.
SUPPORT programs like this
To support the program and allow us to continue providing this opportunity to the ecologists of the future, consider donating to Pease Park Conservancy.
Thank you to the schools that have joined us in Pease Park!
Blanton Elementary
Cedar Creek Elementary
Covington Middle School
East Side High School
Galindo Elementary School
Graham Elementary School
Guerrero Thompson High School
Hart Elementary
Hillcrest Elementary
Lively Middle School
Mills Elementary
Navarro High School
Palm Elementary
Rawson Saunders School
Rodriguez Elementary
Pecan Springs Elementary
RISE School of Austin
Sanchez Elementary