Investigate with a Ranger

As part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, Gateway NRA is excited to offer ranger- and partner-led education programs for 4th grade classes. See programs available and instructions for booking your field trip below! For teacher-led programs, please find more information here. Questions? email us

Field Trips to Gateway NRA

Teachers and students can explore the park by participating in a variety of ranger-guided programs and self-guided field trips.

The Sandy Hook Unit has many additional educational opportunities in both natural and cultural history. Guided school programs are conducted for a fee by the following partner organizations: New Jersey Seagrant Consortium and the American Littoral Society.

 

Students observe and study birds at Gateway

NPS Photo/Jason Wickersty

Project Birdwing
Flying is an astounding adaptation that only a select number of animals have the privilege of experiencing. Project Birdwing gives students an opportunity to observe, test and study wing adaptations from birds in their area. Emphasizing aerodynamics, the relationship between adaptations and habitat, and the use of observation tools, students build models, observe birds in their natural environment and share their knowledge through a school-wide field guide. This program takes place at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge


Clean Shore Corps explores real world causes and harmful effects of plastic marine debris and how it enters New York waterways. Using apps and modern data collection techniques, students collect and classify the kinds of plastics found on streets and shores of Jamaica Bay. Please note that this program requires transportation between two points within the park.This program takes place at North Channel Bridge.

To book either of these programs, please download and complete this form.

1. Please allow 2 weeks to process all requests.
2. Complete section 1 with the school contact information
3. ONLY complete the section that you are requesting
   1. If requesting and in person visit (Section2), please put the location that you are requesting to visit in the "Program or Subject Requested".
   2. Please complete section 3 or 4 completely ONLY if you are requesting those programs.
4. Gateway National Recreation Area does not participate in the Academic Fee Waiver Program so please ignore section 5.
5. Submit the completed form to [e-mail]
6. A park service representative will follow up to confirm group details.

 

Coastal Habitat Heroes
Students gain a new perspective of their city by visiting a park in Jamaica Bay and learning about estuarine ecology and threats posed by marine debris.

Students spend their trip learning about the plants and animals found in Jamaica Bay by observing organisms caught in a beach seine net. Students also take an active role in stewarding the bay environment by participating in a shoreline cleanup while collecting data on the amount of trash they remove.

After discussing how and why trash arrives on NYC's shorelines, students discuss ways they can protect their urban environment through their everyday actions. This program is presented by the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy.

To book this field trip, e-mail [e-mail].
This program takes place at your choice of the following parks: Plumb Beach, Canarsie Pier, Marine Park and Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium Education Programs
To learn more about the New Jersey Sea Grant consortium education programs, please go to Virtual Learning Programs at NJSGC - Sea Grant Sea Grant (njseagrant.org).