Trips & Tours
Class Field Trips • Public Tours • Work Parties and Events
Class Field Trips
Come teach your class at the SSU Preserves. Whether instructors are seeking to teach history, environment, culture, economy, literature or art, each of our sites provides unique opportunities. We encourage field trips by instructors from all disiplines, affiliations and backgrounds.
If you have your own curriculum in hand, and just need to get a few questions answered about logistics, contact us.
Who Can Participate - Instructors from all disciplines, grade levels, and organizations
How to Sign Up - Please go to Visit a Preserve. These pages will give you all the information you need to help you and your students get out of the classroom and into the field. The application will allow you to request visitation dates and facility use at all our Preserves.
Schedule - SSU Preserves are open year-round.
Additional Information - If you would like a guided tour by one of our staff or docents, please join us on a Public Tour or contact us.
Contact - Education and Reservation Manager, Suzanne DeCoursey
Public Tours
Our trained docent naturalists lead guided tours of the Fairfield Osborn Preserve on select Saturdays during the Fall and Spring.
The Osborn Preserve is known for its erosive geology, habitat diversity, and aquatic insect communities in Copeland Creek. On your tour, your guide will lead you into the heart of the Preserve, sharing stories about the area's geology, ecology, human history, and on-going research and management.
If you are interested in learning how to lead public tours, we encourage you to take our Docent Naturalist Training.
Who Can Participate - Everyone
How to Sign Up - To participate in a public tour, you do not need to pre-register. Simply arrive at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve at 10:00 am on a day when the tour is advertized. The cost is $3 per participant, payable by cash or check. Directions to Fairfield Osborn Preserve
Schedule - Public tours are seasonally available on Saturdays. For tour dates, see our Calendar (click on the Calendar tab below the banner photo on our home page).
Additional Information - The tour will last approximately 4 hours. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring food, water, and sunscreen or rain gear (depending on the weather).
Contact - Education and Reservation Manager, Suzanne DeCoursey
Work Parties and Events
Preserve staff regularly schedule work parties as part of land management activities on the Preserve. Often our activities target control of invasive species, but can also include trail work or working together to organize educational events.
If you join a field work parties, Preserve Stewards will teach you about the dynamic relationships between native and invading species.
Learn about our local species, get a great workout, and do something positive to keep local lands healthy.
Who Can Participate - Everyone
How to Sign Up - To participate in a work party, you do not need to pre-register. Simply arrive at the described meeting place and time.
Schedule - Work Party dates are listed in our Calendar (click on the Calendar tab below the banner photo on our home page). Calendar of Events.
Additional Information - Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring food, water, and sunscreen or rain gear (depending on the weather).
Contact - Education and Reservation Manager, Suzanne DeCoursey