Program Description

Eco Investigations programs are 4-hour expedition field trips led by Audubon educational staff/volunteers and Texas Master Naturalist educators, designed to strengthen critical thinking skills across multiple disciplines and incorporate hands-on, inquiry-based learning strategies linked with state-mandated Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills objectives for grades K - 8. Students fortify their scientific observation and identification skills and gain knowledge to become a steward of our natural resources.

This program combines engaging classroom training and outdoor explorations to discover and learn about plant and animal adaptations, habitats, and specific Texas ecosystems. Students document their discoveries in their scientific field journals along the way. During every Eco Investigations program (weather-dependent), students take a guided hike through our canyon forest habitat to learn how all living and non-living things interact and depend on each other for survival. Students also meet our resident reptiles up close and explore what enables them to survive in their environment. Students will participate in a variety of other activities depending on their grade level. Some of these may include conservation action projects such as removing invasive species or making seed balls to benefit our endangered Blackland prairie.  

This program is alternatively available with a live bird of prey encounter (click for additional information).

Special program customization is available to address specific student expectations and/or benchmarks. We can also bring this program to your campus with appropriate alterations based on your natural resources.

Grade Levels

Kindergarten-8th Grade

Location Options

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center or your campus

Pricing and Other Information

$8.25/student. Chaperones at no cost up to 1:7 ratio.

We require chaperones at a 1:10 ratio.

$206.25 minimum (equivalent to 25 students).

150 student maximum (please split larger groups over multiple days).

Typically booked from 9:30a-1:30p. Communicate any needed changes in time when booking (not to exceed 4 hours).

Policies, Booking, and Contact

Please see our Policies, Booking and Contact page to proceed.

Other Programs

Download a PDF version our program list from our Academic Program Documents page.