IMPORTANT UPDATE:
BVAS's Nature Education program has resumed. Please scroll down for information on these programs; for details, please see the most current newsletter or our Events calendar.
CORRECTION: Pre-School Storytime will be held Monday, August 28, NOT August 29.
Endangered Species Day 2023!
Endangered Species Day 2023 was a wonderful success!! Stay tuned for Endangered Species Day 2024!!
BVAS offers nature education for the entire community; our children's programs include class outings to the Nature Center, the monthly Nature Storytime for pre-school children, the Kids' Clubhouse, Scout groups, and special events. For adults (and kids too), we have regular birding field trips throughout the county, natural history classes, and special nature programs and lectures, generally at no charge to the public. Our Migrating Birders program arranges guided birding trips to distant locales, and for a unique birding experience, we offer Pelagic trips. Our Birding webpage contains more details on our birding opportunities.
Nature Guides Program
BVAS's Children’s Nature Education Program consists of a 1½-hour-long grade-appropriate presentation followed by a guided hike along a short trail by the Buena Vista Lagoon and then exploration of our nature center museum, led by our volunteer Nature Guides.
Become a Nature Guide! Our school programs have resumed and we need volunteer Nature Guides. To join, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Rocco, at 760-419-6034 or roccobob@icloud.com. Or stop by the Nature Center and fill out a short form.
Calling all teachers! Tour Buena Vista Lagoon Nature Center with your students for free!
BVAS offers Free 1 1/2 hour guided tours for elementary grades
All tours include indoor lesson, touching table and lagoon walk. Tours usually begin at 10:00 a.m. Classes are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. April and May are our busiest months. Please consider scheduling your class from September through March.
Download our pdf flyer for topics and more information.
Scroll down this page for Teacher Resources pdfs and links!
Homeschool Visits
Do you have a homeschool group and would like to visit the nature center? These guidelines help you plan your visit. The Program Reservation form is at the bottom of this page under Teacher Resources. Please use this form to request a vist.
Sonya & Phoebe’s Clubhouse
The clubhouse program is back with a new look! Nature Guide Liz Black, along with her two crafty daughters, Phoebe and Sonya, will host a fun-filled nature based activity. Join them at the Nature Center on the second Sunday of each month from 10:00- noon. The family tortoise, Frodo, will make occasional appearances as well. Bring your elementary-aged children and grandchildren to our Nature Center to participate in these fun activities. Please see the most current newsletter or calendar of events for details.
Preschool Nature Storytime
Did you know that we have a special event for preschoolers every month? Join us for Preschool Nature Storytime, with nature-themed stories for preschool children. We’ll have a story, songs, a fun craft, and each month, a special theme.
Preschool Storytime is held on the 4th Monday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. Weather permitting, we will also explore the trails and gardens around the Nature Center. We look forward to seeing you and your 2 1/2 -5 year olds soon! Call Sally, 760-525-2351, or follow BVAS on Instagram or Facebook for monthly updates.
Are you a scout leader?
Sharing Our Shores
Sharing our Shores is an Audubon program that helps elementary students learn how to protect threatened and endangered shore birds through science, conservation, and art. For more information on this program and how BVAS is involved.
FOR TEACHERS: Sharing our Shores powerpoint presentation
And we haven't forgotten the adults, either!
Buena Vista Audubon offers regular birding field trips throughout the county (beginner and advanced birders all welcome!), natural history classes, and special nature programs and lectures, generally at no charge to the public. Our Migrating Birders program arranges guided birding trips to distant locales, and for a unique birding experience, we offer Pelagic trips.
Teacher Forms
BVAS library has new videos for teachers: Did you know the BVAS nature center has a library with great books and videos that teachers can check out? We just added new videos to the library that teachers may enjoy. To check out books or videos, just talk to a host.
Concepts and Vocabulary
Donations that make a difference!
Your donation will help us further our mission of providing nature-based education to local children, offering birding classes and other programs, protecting and restoring North County wildlife habitats, and more!
Our Mission
Conservation Through Education, Advocacy, Land Management, and Monitoring
Mailing Address
Buena Vista Audubon
PO Box 480
Oceanside, CA 92049
Nature Center
2202 S. Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
760-439-BIRD
(760-439-2473)
Hours
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10 am-1 pm
Wednesday 10 am-1 pm
Thursday 10 am-1 pm
Friday 10 am-1 pm
Saturday 10 am-1 pm