Field Trips
Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a fun learning adventure!Travel to Portage to meet the wildlife residents of AWCC in person. Book a Naturalist guided program or choose a self-guided experience.
Naturalist Led Programs
Explore the sanctuary with our Naturalists. These options are available during the school year from September 15 – May 15.
Walking Tour with Naturalist Tour Guide: Join us for a one-hour guided walking tour where a Naturalist will introduce you to the resident animal ambassadors. Students will learn about animal adaptations, wildlife stewardship, and how the AWCC is dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. All Ages (1 hour) Guided Walking Tour Program Description HERE
Porcupine Presentation: Meet one of AWCC’s resident North American porcupines up close! Viewing an ambassador animal, like this iconic Alaskan species, creates a personal connection between students and wildlife. Take a look at porcupine tracks, skulls, and quills and learn all about the lives of porcupines. All Ages (30 minutes) Porcupine Presentation Program Description HERE
Adaptation Station: Explore real and replica animal tracks, furs, and/or skulls to learn how Alaskan wildlife have uniquely adapted to thrive in their environment. At the station, a Naturalist will engage students with short activities and answer questions. All Ages (1 Hour) Adaptation Station Program Description HERE
Naturalist Presentation: Invite an AWCC Naturalist to deliver an engaging presentation about a topic of your choice. Examples of potential presentation topics include a specific Alaskan species, a conservation or research project, or wildlife safety. All Ages (30 Minutes) Naturalist Presentation Program Description HERE
Puppet Show: Dive into the wild world of Alaskan animals during an interactive puppet show! Grades Pre-K to 2 (45 Minutes) Puppet Show Program Description HERE
Interacting in Wild Spaces: This program is offered in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Come to Portage Valley and learn how to interact in wild spaces! Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to meet the resident animal ambassadors and learn about wildlife safety and awareness. Participants will also travel to the Chugach National Forest’s Begich, Boggs Visitor Center and surrounding trails to learn how to recreate responsibly in your National Forest and public land. Grades 3 – 5 (4 Hours) Interacting in Wild Spaces Program Description HERE
Awesome Adaptations: Explore the various adaptations of Alaskan animals through a hands on experience with real and replica furs, tracks, antlers, horns, skulls, scat, and more. Students will complete activities and participate in discussions to learn about the unique adaptations that allow Alaskan animals to thrive in their environment. Grades 3 – 12 (1 Hour) Awesome Adaptations Program Description HERE
Beluga Monitoring: Join AWCC Naturalists for a beluga whale monitoring session at The Point. Students will use data sheets to collect information about beluga presence and behavior as well as environmental data. Through discussions and activities, students will learn about beluga whale adaptations and how beluga monitoring contributes to the conservation of this endangered species. Grades 3 – College (2 Hours) Beluga Monitoring Program Description HERE
Career Presentation: Hear from our staff about careers at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Grades 8 – College (1 Hour) Career Presentation Program Description HERE
Beluga Conservation Conundrum Workshop: This workshop guides students through the challenges of creating a species conservation plan. Students will learn about the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale as well as the values and opinions of different interest groups. Using what they learn, students will create a mock conservation plan for the Cook Inlet belugas. Students will compare their plan with current conservation efforts and discover ways they can help this species. Grades 9 – College (2.5 Hours) Beluga Conservation Conundrum Workshop Program Description HERE
To be eligible for reduced group admission rates, field trips must be scheduled in advance.
Contact the Education Department at education@alaskawildlife.org or 907-783-0058 for more information.
Please read our cancellation policy.
Self-Guided Field Trip Resources
Explore the sanctuary on your own. Teachers and chaperones can lead a field trip using the following resources.
- Interpretive signs and Audio Guides
- AWCC’s tour guidebook (email education@alaskawildlife.org for a copy)
- Free Scavenger Hunt through Action Bound
To be eligible for reduced group admission rates, field trips must be scheduled in advance.
Outreach & Virtual Programs
If you’re unable to visit us in person, invite the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to come to you! Our Naturalists can bring an education program to your school or organization, either in-person or virtually. Click HERE to learn more.
If you have a specific request in mind to suit your group that is different from the above listed programs, reach out to the Education Department to discuss program possibilities.
Contact the Education Department at education@alaskawildlife.org or 907-783-0058 for more information.
Please read our cancellation policy.