Educational Programs

Field Trip Program – “You Come to Us”

The Theodore Payne Foundation offers three-hour field trips for K-12.  Inquiry-based, the field trips are California Dept. of Education standards-based and feature hands-on activities that teach students about California native plants and related subjects, such as indigenous uses, the food web, water use, plant adaptations, soils, and more.  Students work with native plant materials throughout the lessons to gain a greater understanding of their local natural environment and the importance of preserving California’s native landscape.  There is no other field trip destination in this part of Los Angeles County that offers this in-depth resource to K-12 students.

K-12 Classroom Program – “We Come to You”

The Theodore Payne Foundation also offers classroom programs for K-12.  As described above, the 60-to-90-minute lessons are California Dept. of Education standards-based and feature hands-on activities that teach students about California native plants and related subjects.  The lessons are inquiry-based and relate the material to the larger world.  Even though students haven’t left the classroom, they work with native plant materials throughout the lessons to gain a greater understanding of their local natural environment and the importance of preserving California’s native landscape.

Need help designing your school’s native and edible garden?

TPF will visit your site and provide recommendations about the design, plant list, planting procedures and ongoing maintenance. Fee:  $95 for a 90-minute visit and post-installation maintenance guide.  Contact:  Lisa Novick at lisa@theodorepayne.org.