Estuary Program

A mudflat cross-section, showing life beneath the estuary

What is an estuary? How does an estuary work? Choose the premier school program, The Estuary, and your students will explore and experience a whole range of California state science standards while answering these questions.For example, hiking up White’s Point in the wind and fog (a frequent occurrence), students will understand the transfer of solar energy into wind and moisture providing mineral nutrients for plant life in the estuary.Examining life in the Windy Cove mudflats, students will understand the transfer of energy from plants to animals as well as the importance of the estuary in the marine food chain.These outdoor experiences are reinforced by discussions and demonstrations in the intimate environment of the Learning Center and by a guided tour of the Museum of Natural History.

Please note that the Estuary Program works best at low tide times as more of the Windy Cove mudflats are exposed. You might want to consult a tide chart for the dates you are considering visiting the Museum. 

Marine Mammal Program

Why does the Morro Bay Estuary host so many marine mammals – playful sea otters, shy harbor seals, and noisy sea lions? Examining various critters hidden in the Windy Cove mudflats students will understand the reason that these top predators are attracted to the estuary. Surveying the estuary complex and the Pacific Ocean from White's Point students will see the pathway taken by migrating California Gray Whales. While these outdoor excursions do not guarantee sightings of marine mammals, inside the museum facilities there are plenty of animal specimens, some skeletal specimens and other displays to illustrate the fascinating details of these animals. Docents use these materials to focus their discussions on the characteristics of mammals and how these characteristics are adapted in marine mammals for survival in the sea. In particular, the vertebrate body plan of marine mammals is examined and compared to that of land mammals. The tour ends with a short video.

The Marine Mammal Program is available year-round.

Native American Program

Beginning with a visit to the native plants garden, a kitchen midden, ancient grinding holes, and, finally, viewing the wide sweep of the Morro Bay Estuary from the top of White’s Points, students will understand the ingenuity of the Chumash and Salinan cultures in modifying and adapting to the local environment. In the Learning Center, docents display and discuss many artifact replicas to explain the everyday activities of Central Coast Native Americans.

Interacting with the museum's new habitat exhibits, students will experience the four ecosystems impacting the lives of the local Chumash people. In addition, students will try their hand at Native American crafts. In small activity groups they will grind acorns, paint rocks, paint faces, (after preparing paints from natural pigments), string beads, and operate a pump drill used to make shell money.
The Native American Program is available year-round and is available for grades 3 and up.

Bird Program

The stately Great Blue Heron and the gawky-looking Double-crested Cormorant are just two of the many shoreline birds “junior birders” will see cavorting in their natural setting as part of the Bird Program.
But the main focus of this program is the special adaptations birds have undergone allowing them to survive in environments like the Morro Bay Estuary. Using a great variety of live mounts and other specimens in the intimate setting of the Learning Center,
docents help students understand the concept of adaptation by comparing bird adaptations such as feathers, skeletal structure, bills, and feet. Please note that it is desirable if students can bring binoculars for better viewing of the estuary birds.
The Bird Program is available year-round. It is especially recommended from March through June, when herons and egrets nest and raise their young at the Rookery.

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