Spaces & Species field trips are scheduled on select Tuesdays and Thursdays in the spring and fall. Attendance for this program is determined by a lottery process.
A solicitation letter was sent to teachers and educators on our distribution list on January 11 for the spring 2012 season. This letter/e-letter includes information about the field trip request and lottery process as well as the field trip dates being offered in the spring 2012 lottery.


Special Notice: In an effort to update and streamline our outreach process, the District is transitioning to an electronic mailing and reservation system for this program. We will no longer be sending a hard copy mailing. If you are not on our email list for this program and would like to be, please call the administrative office at 650-691-1200 or email jwilliams@openspace.org.
If you are unable to receive our electronic mailing for any reason, you can still get information about upcoming seasons by checking back at this page (updated at the end of July for the fall season and mid-January for spring).

There are approximately 20 field trips offered every spring and fall. This free program is designed for 3rd–5th grade students (with 3rd grade participation scheduled in spring only). The absolute maximum number of students per field trip is 32; four active chaperones per class is the required minimum.

Important Transportation Note: Transportation is not provided by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. A transportation assistance fund] has been established for qualifying Title 1 or low-income schools where vehicle rental or parent assisted transportation is limited. If you believe your school may be eligible for this reimbursement program, please indicate so on the reservation request form.


Registration for the spring 2012 field trip lottery is now OPEN. Requests to participate will be accepted until February 7 and the lottery will be held on February 8. Those chosen from the lottery will be contacted shortly thereafter. (Please refer to the the solicitation letter for offered field trip dates)

About the Field Trip Program

This award-winning, innovative environmental science education program offered at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, and featuring scenic Alpine Pond and the David C. Daniels Nature Center, is available to local schools and led by a dedicated group of volunteer Outdoor Education Leaders. In this unique outdoor setting, children have the opportunity to focus on the connections between themselves and their natural world, and begin to understand the importance and benefit of open space in their community.

For more program information, download a brochure of Spaces & Species: Exploring Natural Communities

If you know of a teacher that may be interested, or if you are interested and not already on our email list, please contact us at (650) 691-1200.

How to Get to the Field Trip Location

For convenient access to the Nature Center and Alpine Pond, park in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot, located on the northwest corner of the Page Mill Road/Alpine Road and Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) intersection (across Skyline Boulevard on the right). Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve is at least a 35-minute drive from Palo Alto. Please allow plenty of travel time and be sure to discuss the location and route details with drivers in advance of the day of your scheduled field trip.

Download directions to the Spaces & Species field trip meeting location.