Providing interpretive education on wetlands and wildlife, panoramic views, water quality, weather, natural resource management, trails, bird watching, recreation, exhibits, displays and an eagles nest, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a treasure of the Hillsboro community.
Bucket Biology
Grades: All ages
Length: 1-1/2 hours
Fee: $90 per class
Wander the wetlands with a naturalist on an informal tour to discover the wonderful things that are all around us. Ask any nature-related question you want, and we will try to figure out the answer. Each Bucket Biology tour will be unique and full of surprises. Staff will customize the tour depending on the interests and needs of your group.
Sensory Fun in the Wetlands
Grades: K-2
Length: Two hours
Fee: $95 per class
Here’s an opportunity to check out your senses…sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste! We will discover what a wetland is, cool things about the critters such as Bald Eagles, bats, coyotes, raccoons, and insects that live here and explore how their senses are different than ours. How do bats catch bugs? How well do Bald Eagles see? How are insect eyes different than ours? Bring your eyes, noses, hands, and feet for some serious wetland fun!
Jackson Bottom Wetland Birds
Grades: 1-2
Length: Two hours
Fee: $95 per class
Birds are some of the most fascinating and conspicuous animals on the planet. Join us at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve for a two-hour exploration into the world of birds. Students will have the opportunity to use binoculars while on a bird watching walk, eat like a bird, handle feathers, bones and nests, and discover how birds fit into this wetland ecosystem.
Biodiversity
Grades: 4-6
Length: 2-1/2 hours
Fee: $135 per class
What is biodiversity? Why is it important to the world and you personally? Students will rotate through four different learning stations, using scientific tools to get a glimpse of ecosystem health through the study of water quality, wildlife habitat, soils and plant diversity, and the food chain. Students can then take these skills and ideas back to the classroom for a study of biodiversity at their own school site.
Preserve Inquiry
Grades: 5-6
Length: Four hours (fall, spring and summer seasons only due to winter flooding)
Fee: $160 per class
How do people find out things about the world? One major way is by the process of Scientific Inquiry. Let’s learn how to learn! We will practice framing a question, planning an investigation, collecting and recording data, analyzing data and sharing results with others. As students become more familiar with the process of scientific inquiry, they will learn how to follow up on their curiosity, excel at asking and answering questions and learn how to be a problem-solver.
Riparian Forest Inquiry
Grades: 5-6
Length: Four hours (fall, spring and summer seasons only due to winter flooding)
Fee: $160 per class
Riparian forests are some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. During this field experience, students will learn about these amazing ecosystems by conducting an assessment of the riparian forest at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Students will learn about disturbances in an ecosystem and discover why canopy does matter! They will also conduct a wildlife survey, comparing diversity between two different habitat zones in the Preserve. This is a very hands-on program where students will learn to use various scientific tools and instruments and practice their inquiry and data collection skills.
2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy. Hillsboro, OR 97123|fax: 503-681-6277|phone: 503-681-6206