Botany - WOLF offers a one day program or individual rotations inviting students to explore unique flora. Through hands-on activities, we hope to make the world of plants exciting and more accessible to students. To draw your class into this subject we have created botany activities calling for creativity and observation skills. Some of these experiments may be the extraction of aspirin from red willow, several levels of keying activities, plant and flower dissection, identification of California medicinal and edible plants, the life of a tree, bark beetle study, mechanisms of seed dispersal, and transpiration.

Birds of Prey  - Students will learn about raptors and their adaptations. Owls, hawks, eagles, and vultures will be studied. We will discuss their relationship with the environment, man, and each other. Students will learn about their physical characteristics, hunting techniques, keen senses, nesting habits, dietary needs, and their unique digestive process. Students will have an opportunity to learn how to identify raptors by their flight profile and wing patterns. Some of our camp sites have nearby raptor nests for students to observe and study.

Live Birds of Prey Presentation - Several indigenous species of hawks and owls are brought in for this all group seminar. Each animal is described as it is brought around for student viewing. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn about rehabilitation and release of injured animals.

California Medicinal Plants  Many plants found in the area have healing properties and were used extensively by the Chumash people and early explorers. We will learn about several of these plants and how to prepare them. We will also use modern scientific methods to extract acetylsalicylic acid, the main ingredient of aspirin, from red willow trees, comparing modern medicine preparation techniques.

Cycles This course focuses on the interdependence of all things. Cycle exercises are designed to help students build a bigger picture of the world around them. These discovery hikes challenge students to be imaginative and to find connections among items they normally wouldn't. The student journal provides many illustrations of the cycles that occur in our daily lives, such as the water cycle. This course ties all other courses together, giving the student a view of how all things are interrelated.

Estuaries, Lagoons, and Tidepools  Understanding that the majority of the earth's life either lives in the water or has originated from it, WOLF feels that it is necessary for students to be familiarized with different aspects of a water world. We conduct these programs at the estuaries of Malibu Lagoons State Park, Leo Carrillo State Beach, Santa Barbara State Preserves, and Santa Cruz Island. WOLF has worked to create a hands-on environment for learning about these unique environments such as tidepool exploration and specimen collection, microscopic study of the creatures that live under the mud, birding with binoculars, examination, and release. Students will learn that water is not only a place of recreation, but how much we depend on both salt and fresh water environments.

Field Science Journals WOLF believes that students learn through many different sources. To help your class retain the information they are learning WOLF is able to provide a journal for your education experience. In each rotation students are encouraged to use their journals take notes, draw field sketches, and record data. The journals are filled with information concerning Native American Culture, field science courses, astronomy facts, data tables, and blank pages for thoughtful writing.

Geology  In our geology courses students participate in interactive learning. Physical demonstrations help to give students a clear view of the sometimes confusing formation of the earth and its components. Your class can study plate tectonics, rock formations, erosion, fault structures, and fossilization. Designed as a field introduction course, WOLF's geology also allows students to discover the world of rocks and minerals. Mineralogy includes exploration of sorting and identifying minerals by characteristics such as texture, cleavage, crystal structure, color, streak, and hardness. Other activities include; geology map study, pick and hammer exploration, searching for fossils, making crystals, fault study, decomposition, and soil testing.

Mammals Live animals, taxidermied specimens, skins and pelts are used in this hands-on session. Students will learn about adaptations, tracking, hunting techniques, carnivorous and herbivorous species. Nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular lifestyles will also be discussed and studied.

Map and Compass To help your class orient themselves for the program and also in their daily lives, we have designed several activities using topographical maps and compasses.  Compass courses are set up on site and give students an opportunity to explore their surroundings using compass directions and degrees. Clues related to environmental topics are given to help students work together to complete the course. Courses can be set up for very young novices or more advanced students.

Mountain Eco-systems Under this study, students explore and learn how the land, plants, and animals of their surroundings live interdependently. They will be able to recognize and identify local trees and plants. Students also examine and discuss human impact on their environment and ways to promote conservation. Hands-on activities include seed dispersal, fire impact, soil testing, the life cycle of the oak tree, local wildlife viewing,  and tracking.

Pollution Solutions In this course, we will research and learn about current environmental issues. They are given booklets containing advice for low impact living, a list local environmental organizations, as well as local, state, and federal politicians they can contact. Students will learn to recognize smog damage in plants, environmental hazards, and what they can do to be an effective part of the solution. By discussing the issue we all learn how to make a difference in the bigger picture.

Riparian Eco-systems WOLF believes it is extraordinarily important for students to understand the source and influences of their water. To educate students in this area we have designed several activities where they can study the biotic and a-biotic systems affecting water. Often we incorporate the water cycle and watershed pollutants in these courses. For studying the biological side of our water we use microscopes, nets, and lenses to collect, examine, and identify various types of crustaceans, insects, spiders, and fish. Students often end up somewhat wet on warmer weather programs. To study the chemical nature of fresh water, students conduct elaborate experiments; testing for ammonia, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, pH and coliform. In more extensive programs we often work with water testing labs and the US Forest Service.

Sunrise Wildlife Hike This hike is designed to teach students the behavior, diet, predatory relationships, and adaptations of indigenous animals to the area. As our sites are located near wilderness areas or park lands, these optional sessions are scheduled for the early morning to take advantage of wildlife activity. This time of day usually yields to sightings of deer, coyote, and owls. Occasionally bobcats are seen hunting in the early morning. Our naturalists will facilitate discussions about what has been observed that morning.

Soul of the Wolf Pure and hybrid wolves are brought in for this unique course. Students will learn about the skeleton, habits, behavior, and hunting techniques of wild wolves. We will investigate why they were hunted to near extinction and how they have made a miraculous recovery. We will look at recent information from reintroduction programs in several states. This course examines the strong family ties, language, and incredible intelligence of these misunderstood mammals. We will study superstitions and stories dating back hundreds of years, their role in the environment, their relationship to man, and their future.

Zoology These courses are centered on the fauna of our program sites. We present a natural history museum that is always accessible to the students. Live animals, taxidermied specimens, skins, skulls, and pelts are used in these hands-on sessions. Students will learn about adaptations, tracking, hunting techniques for carnivorous and herbivorous species. Nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular lifestyles will also be discussed and studied. The Birds of Prey sessions teach feather and owl pellet dissection, silhouette identification, wild owl calling, and can include a live birds presentation. The Mammals activities allow for a closer examination of the life style of our warm blooded cousins, including our favorite,  Soul of the Wolf. Other mammals activities include; animal tracks and casting, animal homes, adaptations, hibernation, and scat study. We often provide live animal presentations.