| To
Schedule Your Tour: |
| Tours are arranged a minimum of one month in advance. We must receive full payment by check with your Enrollment Form at least 1 month before your tour! Schedule your tour with Jay Miller. |
Jay Miller
Community Group Tour Coordinator
949-707-1287
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| About
Our Group Tour Program: |
| During the one-hour tour, an Audubon Naturalist will lead your group during a close-up look and discussion about mounted bird displays in the Learning Center and take your on a nature walk on trails around the freshwater ponds. The Audubon Naturalist will introduce your group to the wetland ecosystem and its importance, explain bird migration and adaptations, show you how to use "field marks" and behaviors to identify common birds, and discuss how you can protect wildlife and wetlands. |
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| Age Limits and Sizes: |
| Minimum age is 7 years old. We accept 8 children up to a maximum of 16. For Adult Group Tours, we accept a minumum of 10 adults. |
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| Program
Fee: |
| The program fee include a one-hour guided tour of the trails and a presentation inside the Learning Center, plus use of our binoculars (one per individual) and a copy of our 28-page illustrated field guide Birds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for each person to keep. |
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| Community Group toor participation qualifies you for the Orange County Wild "Wildland Lover" patch. Print your passport from www.ocwild.com and bring it to your tour to be signed! |
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| CURRENT FEE SCHEDULE: (effective 1/2012) |
| • Children's Group Tours are $45 for 8-16 children (minimum age 7) |
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| • Adult Group Tours are $50 for 10 individuals with an extra charge of $5 for each additional person. |
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| What
To Bring & Facilities: |
| We suggest comfortable
walking shoes; the trails are gravel. Jackets are needed
in cooler months; a hat and sunscreen in warmer months. We have restrooms,
a drinking fountain, and handicapped access to the buildings.
The Audubon House gift shop sells patches, bird guides, T-shirts
and other nature-related items. |
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| Wildlife
You Can Expect to See: |
| Many wildlife
viewing opportunities are possible during your tour. The SJWS
bird checklist includes 263 species, and depending on the
season, you might see 12-23 species during your one-hour tour.
Ducks and shorebirds feed in the deep and shallow ponds
while egrets and herons stalk for prey along the edges. In
spring, songbirds sing to establish and defend breeding territories,
and you might see nesting birds with chicks. Rabbits, lizards,
butterflies, dragonflies, and evidence of coyotes abd bobcats can be
seen on the trails. Keep your eyes and ears open! |
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| How
to Act in a Wildlife Sanctuary: |
| Because Sea &
Sage Audubon Society and the Irvine Ranch Water District care
about wetland habitat and wildlife, everything at
the San Joaquin Wildlife is protected. All visitors
are expected to protect the wildlife during their visit. Parents
and other adults are responsible for ensuring children obey the
rules at all times. |
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| If you are bringing
children, please review our two Program Rules with them before
you visit to the sanctuary. |
| Rule
#1: Protect wildlife at all times. |
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Use a quiet voice at all times. |
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Stay on the trails. Walk, do not run. |
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Do not pick up or throw rocks. |
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Do not pick any plants. (Stinging nettle does sting!) |
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Do not harm any insects. |
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Use your binoculars instead of your feet to get close to wildlife. |
| Rule
#2: Listen to and obey your Tour Leader. |
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Stay behind the Tour Leader. |
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Raise your hand to speak. |
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Follow instructions about how to use binoculars and other
materials. |
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We
reserve the right to dismiss any group
that is disruptive or disobeyed the wildlife rules.
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How to Get to the Site: |
| The San Joaquin
Wildlife Sanctuary is a 300-acre freshwater wetlands at the
Irvine Ranch Water District. It is located at 5 Riparian View
between Jamboree and Harvard in the city of Irvine. From the
405 freeway, go south on Jamboree. At the first signal, Michelson,
turn left. Continue on Michelson to the 5th signal which is
Harvard and turn right. Drive to the next signal which is
University and turn right. Drive to the next signal which
is Campus Drive and turn right. Stay in the right lane and
immediately turn right onto Riparian View which will enter
the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. (The entrance road is
marked by a green sign.) Follow the signs; and turn left int
othe parking lot. |
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| Hours:
Sanctuary trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Audubon House is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. . |
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