The spring 2010 Spaces & Species field trips are scheduled on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, March - June. A solicitation letter sent to teachers on our mailing list mid-January includes information needed to make a reservation request for the lottery drawing, as well as the specific dates of the spring 2010 field trips.

If you are not on our teacher mailing list and would like to be included, please call the administrative office at 650-691-1200 or email jwilliams@openspace.org

There are approximately 20 field trips offered every spring and fall. This free program is designed for 3rd – 5th grade levels (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 2010 field trip lottery is open now through February 5. Each class wishing to participate must submit a separate reservation request form.

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 mailing 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.