The cheerful chorus of morning bird song is one of the welcome signs of spring. Perhaps you have paused to enjoy it, and if you are a bird watcher, you know that songs are a great way to identify birds. But what else can you learn from the birds? Is there any meaning behind these sounds? Nested within the chorus of spring is a kind of knowledge almost lost to our busy modern world. Birds hold the key to a deeper connection with nature. They can teach us how to see more wildlife and enjoy close encounters with deer, fox, and other elusive animals. Certain songbirds (like wrens, robins and sparrows) act as feathered guardians of the forest, and by learning to interpret their songs and calls, we can gain passage to new and rich experiences in nature.
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Take a field trip
Places and activities › Take a field trip
Dive into the wonders of nature on a field trip led by Metro naturalists. Discover spawning salmon, wetland birds and insects, the mysteries of animal tracking or a real ancient forest.
Explore our region's natural areas with Metro's environmental education field trips. Metro offers field trips for schools and groups.
Your group can join an experienced naturalist for a guided trip to Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, a 2,000-acre freshwater wetland in North Portland, or Oxbow Regional Park, a 1,200-acre forested nature park on the Sandy River east of Gresham. Naturalists are available for programs at other locations on a limited basis.
Field trips feature outdoor, hands-on environmental education activities that foster an appreciation for the wonders of nature. Trip leaders include staff naturalists and trained Metro volunteers. All trips are outdoors, rain or shine. Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to Oxbow Regional Park or to Smith and Bybee Wetlands; you must arrange your own transportation.
School field trips at Metro parks
Educational field trips are for schools and can accommodate students in grades 1-12. They can be adapted for college-level students as well.Learn more
Group field trips at Metro parks
Group field trips are available to any organized group including youth groups, daycare groups, scouts and churches. Most programs can accommodate ages 5 to adult.Learn more
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Related Links
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
Home to beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles, this 2,000-acre natural area offers accessible wildlife watching, a canoe launch and more.
Oxbow Regional Park
Discover Oxbow Regional Park, a 1,200-acre natural area park located within the wild and scenic Sandy River Gorge.
Oregon Zoo
From concerts and seasonal events such as Zoo Lights to exciting exhibits and attractions, there's a whole lot to do at the Oregon Zoo.
Field trip guide to metro-area recycling facilities
Explore waste reduction first-hand by visiting one of the many Portland metropolitan area waste reduction facilities willing to host tours of school and youth groups.
Places and activities
The Oregon Zoo offers school group rates, lesson curricula, chaperone guides and Zoo School, with grade specific themed hands-on animal presentations to help your students get the most out of their visit.