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School and Group Programs
The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a spectacular 1,100-acre sanctuary on Cape Cod Bay, featuring five miles of trails through pine woods, salt marsh, and heathland, including freshwater pond, tidal creek, and sandy beach habitats. We conduct educational programs for children of all ages, at your site or ours in any season. We work with schools and other groups, such as scouts and community centers, to cultivate an awareness, appreciation, and concern for the natural environment.
Our trained Teacher/Naturalists specialize in providing hands-on, interactive learning experiences that encourage investigation of the natural world. Our programs explore the varied habitats of Wellfleet Bay and help enrich the understanding of human interrelationships with the environment. They are designed to invite participation and active inquiry and to develop environmental literacy.
Environmental education programs are offered for all ages. We maintain a ratio of one naturalist to 20 participants in an outdoor setting, with a smaller ratio recommended for younger groups. Due to our extensive system of trails, as well as our access to the Cape Cod National Seashore, town conservation lands, and other natural areas, we can serve up to 120 participants at one time.
Our Education Coordinator and Teacher/Naturalist are available by phone or e-mail to assist both teachers and students with any natural history questions or to schedule a program
Visit Wellfleet Bay-for naturalist-led, hands-on learning.
Field Walks
1.5 to 2 hours, 20 people per naturalist, $90 per hour per naturalist (1.5 hour minimum). Discounts are given to Cape Cod schools and to programs scheduled off-season (Oct. 15-April 15). Our most popular walks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Tidal Flats Walk: Explore the tidal flats looking for snails, crabs, horseshoe crabs, shorebirds, and other marine creatures. A naturalist will lead group activities, such as a scavenger hunt, and assist with species identification. (Can be combined with Salt Marsh Walk)
Salt Marsh Walk: Use dip nets and fish traps to discover fiddler crabs, shrimp, eels, and other marine organisms that inhabit the salt marsh. A naturalist will demonstrate proper sampling techniques and provide interpretation of the habitat. (Can be combined with Tidal Flats Walk)
Dune Hike: Discover this amazing ecological system where shifting sands cause dunes to migrate and scouring winds create freshwater wetlands between the crests. See beautiful panoramic views of the ocean, bay, and tip of the Cape and observe unique plants and animals that thrive in this rare and harsh environment.
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Boat Cruises
Marine Life Cruise: Experience the marine environment of Cape Cod through hands-on discovery. Cruising from Wellfleet Harbor aboard the Naviator, a commercial fishing vessel, we'll use a bay scallop drag and an otter trawl to catch and bring aboard bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates. Students will observe a plankton tow and get an up-close look at these floating organisms. In addition, we'll haul up a fish pot that may contain tautog, black sea bass, or other benthic fish, and we'll swing by the tip of Great Island in the hope of catching glimpses of gray seals. (up to 45 people; 2.5 hours for $600 ($500 if you are from a Cape school) or 1.5 hours for $500). Prices will increase by $100 starting July 1, 2008. Read more detailed Marine Life Cruise information.
Nauset Marsh Cruise: Take your group cruising through Nauset Marsh aboard a pontoon boat. Along the way we’ll stop to pull up an eel pot and check out crabs and other animals that have crawled inside. We’ll also get off the boat and explore the tidal flats to look for crabs and snails, as well as dig for clams and sea worms. Explore a barrier beach, observe the power of the waves, and stroll the tide line in search of shells. (2 hours, up to 15 people, $35 adult/$25 child)
Seal and South Beach Adventure: Cruise along the shorelines of South Beach and Monomoy Islands in Chatham looking for seals, shorebirds, and sea ducks. Then get off the boat at the tip of South Beach and explore the newly formed "land bridge". We'll also walk over to the ocean side to search for seals frolicking in the surf, watch endangered piping plovers, and beachcomb for seashells and other treasures from the tide. (2 hours, up to 15 people, $40 adult/$30 child)
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Field Studies
Up to 20 participants, $90/hour
Box Turtle Tracking: Students participate in on-going research on the Eastern box turtle, a state species of special concern. Learn about its natural history, use radio telemetry equipment, and discuss the benefits of research.
Heathland Restoration: Give your students an eye-opening look at the threats to biodiversity, the problem of introduced species, and ecological management tools for conserving rare habitats. Students will learn about coastal heathlands, their importance, and our management practices and afterwards visit one and assist with its management by cutting down invasive species. This is a great program for a community service project.
Diamondback Terrapin Research: Explore prime terrapin habitat in search of nesting sites and evidence of predation. Students learn about our long-term study and threats to the survival of this rare species.
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Group Presentations
Green Building Tour and Activities
Take your students on a tour of our new LEED certified green building. Learn about solar energy, composting toilets, recycled graywater system, and recycled materials used. Tour lasts for 45-60 minutes. You can follow this up by participating in a Solar Cook Out where students will learn about solar energy by making a solar cooker and making s'mores in them. Climate change and wind energy activities are also an option. Each activity lasts 45-60 minutes.
Large Group Presentations (Power Point)
$75 for day time/local presentation
$100 for day time/non-local presentation
$100 for evening/local presentation
$150 for evening/non-local presentation
(Local includes towns of Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro & Provincetown)
We offer a wide variety of natural history presentations with grade level appropriate slides/images, specimens, and demonstrations. Popular topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Whales of Cape Cod
- Sea Turtles
- Coastal Water Birds
- Cape Cod Natural History
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In-class Lessons
The Wellfleet Bay Education Staff will meet with teachers to design a program or continuing program suited to their current curriculum. All lessons are connected to the Science Curriculum Frameworks. Programs we have already conducted at a K–8 level and are listed below:
Habitats/Cape Cod Habitats: Barrier Beach, Coastal Heathland, Dunes, Field, Forest, Ocean, Pond, River, Salt Marsh, Tidal Flats, Vernal Pool
Animals/Cape Cod Animals: Birds, Butterflies, Coyotes & Foxes, Ducks, Fish, Herptiles, Horseshoe Crabs, Oysters, Insects, Mammals, Marine Invertebrates, Owls, Raptors, Sea Turtles, Shorebirds, Squid & Octopus, Turtles of Cape Cod, Whales & Seals
Marine Environment: Aquaculture, Cape Cod Wind Farm, Coastal Issues, Horseshoe Crab Harvesting, Marine Fisheries, Shellfishing
Ecology: Endangered Species, Human Impact, Introduction to Ecology, Invasive Species, Nitrate Loading, Run off and Non-Point Source Pollution, Water Chemistry, Bio-Indicators
Animal Adaptations/Behavior: Introductions to Barnacles & Feeding, Mummichogs & Social Interaction, Periwinkles & Grazing, Shrimp & Movement, Crabs & Defense Mechanisms
We have also conducted various programs/projects at a high school level, including Coastal Waterbirds, Habitat Studies, Pillbug Project, Salamander Coverboard Project, and Invasive Species.
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Pre-school Groups
Pre-school lessons could include sensory activities, dramatic play, movement, live animal presentations, demonstrations, and observations.
Animals in your Classroom/Touch Tank: We bring the touch tank into your classroom and give your students a fish-eye view of Cape Cod’s coastal marine life. Crabs of all kinds will be there, along with moon snails, whelks, clams, sea stars, mummichogs, and others! Students will be able to observe and handle these local species, up-close and personal. (Recommended length: 45 minutes; Maximum group size: 20 students; Fee: $100.00)
In-class lessons include, but are not limited to, the following: Animals of the Night; Animal Tracking; Bats; Birds (could include a separate class on owls); Crabby crabby; Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders; Insects (could include separate classes on bees, butterflies, or dragonflies); Marsh Muckers; Metamorphosis; Predators and Prey; Seals; Skullduggery (skulls and bones); Snakes in the Grass; Spiders & Their Webs; Trees & Leaves; Turtles; Whales.
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Scout Groups: Boy Scout and Girl Scout Programs
Let our enthusiastic naturalists lead your group on a trail adventure. Choose from the array of outdoor exploration programs already listed, or let us help you set up a program that meets your needs and interest in earning badges. We would be happy to set up a program any day of the week or weekend.
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Birthday Parties
Celebrate your birthday at the Sanctuary and you will have the chance to hike on the sanctuary trails with a naturalist for 1.5 hours; use dip nets, buckets, & fish traps; play an organized nature game; and use our program room for an hour after the walk. Cost is $200 plus a $100 security deposit. Birthday parties are only scheduled from September through April.
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Teacher Workshops
Throughout the year we offer an array of workshops that provide content knowledge and classroom lessons in local habitats and wildlife and environmental issues. We can also custom design special topic seminars for your school site. Call to register or to discuss the possibilities. Mass DOE–PDP Provider
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Schedule your program
To schedule a program, contact the Education Coordinator. We recommend scheduling a program 2–6 months in advance. Please have the following information available when calling or e-mailing:
- Program choice
- Dates/times available for program
- Name, address, phone number of group
- Grade level and size of group
It is also helpful for the Education Coordinator to understand what your group is studying and your expectations of the program. If you have any further questions about our programs or would like to request a special program not listed, please contact the Education Coordinator.
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Contact Us:
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236
South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615 (ph)
508-349-2632 (fx)
e-mail: wellfleet@massaudubon.org
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