Sea Otter Savvy Field Trip Modules: Fostering Environmental Indentity in Youth

Sea Otter Savvy staff and volunteers meet students in the field in Moss Landing, Monterey, or Morro Bay, for educational demonstrations and activities, lessons in sea otter observations, hands-on data collection on sea otters and human disturbance, and a kayak adventure in the sea otter habitat of Elkhorn Slough. Students learn about sea otter behavior, ecology, and conservation, increase their awareness about their own impacts to wildlife, and participate in scientific research. The program is designed for older students (grades 6-12), college students, or adult groups and can can be custom designed for your group from our selection of modules. We invite you and your class or group to get outside and take advantage of Central California's opportunities to observe sea otters in the wild!

Do you want to learn more? Send us an inquiry!  Ask About Our Field Experience

Module 1: Sea Otter Webinar

Ask a sea otter scientist! Students learn sea otter basics in this Zoom-based module that can stand alone or act as a prologue to a field trip. A virtual paddle with a sea otter scientist on Elkhorn Slough is an option

Modules 2 & 3: Sea Otter Savvy at Elkhorn Slough

Learn to be sea otter savvy where the sea otters live! Young people visit the shores of Elkhorn Slough, an estuary of Monterey Bay to learn about sea otters and their conservation. Module 3 adds in more field research activities that can include data collection, scientific method, and data visualization all from observing wild sea otters resting, foraging, grooming, and caring for their pups!

Module 4: Kayaking with Sea Otter Savvy

Explore Elkhorn Slough by kayak! Experience the world of sea otters and the principles of Sea Otter Savvy from the water! Join a sea otter scientist and expert kayaking guides for a safe and exciting adventure on the calm waters of an estuary. Ages 11 and up only.

Sea Otter Savvy will also come to your classroom with a fun, interactive program. Learn more at Sea Otter Savvy in your Classroom. Or click the button below to complete an inquiry form for your school or youth group. 

Ask About Our Field Experience

We need volunteers to help on field trips! If you are interested in fostering wildlife stewardship in young people, have some teaching experience, and have time to volunteer at least once a month, we need you! Please visit our volunteers page and fill out our application.

"I enjoy teaching young children about all forms of California marine life, but particularly California sea otters.  It's fun to watch the children's enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.  Hopefully our activity will instill a love of the outdoors and help create the next generation of conservationists." – Joan T. Sea Otter Savvy in the Classroom volunteer