Environmental Education Program

The Environmental Education Programs at Elkus Ranch are aligned with California's Science Content Standards and provide hands on opportunities to learn about the production of food and fiber, the inter-relationships of plants and animals in their natural habitats and the importance of environmental stewardship.

While planting seedlings in the greenhouse, students learn about the function of roots, stems and leaves. In the garden they may taste flowers, identify pollinators and learn about seed dispersal and composting.

While holding a chicken, feeding a goat, or exploring our bone and fossil collections, students learn about adaptations, predator/prey relationships and food chains.

Demonstrations of dyeing, carding and spinning wool encourage students to consider where their clothing comes from.

We also offer a nutrition program "Lunch at the Ranch" which leads children into the garden to harvest fresh produce and then to our commercial kitchen to prepare an entire meal.

Note: Our environmental science educator is available to work with teachers to customize programs to meet the needs/interests of their students and can provide instructional materials to use in the classroom prior to and after a ranch visit.

For more information or to make a reservation please contact:

Leslie Jensen, Program Coordinator

650-712-3151

lkjensen@ucdavis.edu or elkusranch@ucdavis.edu

Kathi Baxter, Environmental Science Educator

650-712-3151

kdbaxter@ucdavis.edu