Habitat Detectives

 

Education Reservations Forms for the 2025-2026 school year are now live! To apply, please submit the form found at the bottom of this page. For questions, please email GOGA_Education@nps.gov

 
 

Overview

Grades K –2nd

 
Students on the bridge overserving Crissy Marsh
Students investigate the structure of a flower.

Francis NG

How does a healthy habitat help living things thrive?

Habitat Detectives immerses your curious detectives into Crissy Marsh, a wetland where the salty waters of San Francisco Bay meet the freshwater of the Presidio's largest watershed. Through hybrid learning, students will be introduced to the components of a healthy habitat and the structure and function of living beings. Students will use their senses, scientific tools, and inquisitive minds to investigate the diversity of life that is found in Crissy Marsh.

Habitat Detectives uses the Understanding by Design framework and aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards for kinder-2nd grade. The program is framed by the essential question - How does a healthy habitat help living things thrive?

 

Program Structure

The Habitat Detectives program curriculum is divided into two versions to best meet the needs of lower elementary curriculum. Both versions will be offered in two different formats: Ranger-Led and Self-Guided (Teacher-Led). Please review the chart below and program options to assess which one best suits the needs of your students.

Grade Band Topics Covered Ranger-Led Classroom Visit Format Ranger-Led Park Visit Overview Self-Guided Park Visit Overview
Kinder-1st Habitat components, habitat diversity, animal adaptations. Virtual (Length: 30 mins) Exploration of Crissy Marsh Habitat Components
(Length: 2 hrs, not including lunch)		 Exploration of Crissy Marsh Habitat Components
(Length: 1-2 hrs, including 15 minute Ranger Introduction)
2nd Plant structure and function, pollinator adaptations, pollination. In-Person (Length 45 mins-1 hr) Exploration of Crissy Marsh Plants and Pollinators
(Length: 2 hrs, not including lunch)		 Exploration of Crissy Marsh Plants and pollinators.
(Length: 1-2 hrs, including 15 minute Range Introduction).


 
 

Ranger-Led Programs

The Ranger-Led Program follows a three-touch model structure as follows:

  1. Classroom Preparation – Teachers will lead a lesson to prepare students for the Ranger-Led classroom component. In order to provide the best possible experience for your students, we require that you schedule a ranger-led presentation for your class, to take place between 1 to 7 days prior to the field trip. The presentations will cover key educational themes related to the site and its resources. A ranger leads a virtual presentation lesson (kinder-1st Grade) or In-person Classroom visit (2nd grade) to prepare students for the park field session. 
  2. Field Session – Students engage in an investigation of Crissy Marsh and discuss key concepts connecting to K-2nd grade Next Generation Science Standards. 
  3. Classroom Assessment – Teacher will lead students on an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned through writing or illustration.
 

Self-Guided Programs

The Self-Guided Program follows a more flexible three-touch model with optional components and more Teacher-Led instruction:

  1. Classroom Preparation – Teacher leads an optional lesson to prepare students for the park field session. 
  2. Field Session – Students engage in an investigation of Crissy Marsh and discuss key concepts connecting to K-2nd grade Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers are responsible for developing their group's experience after 15 minute Ranger introduction. 
  3. Classroom Assessment – Teacher will lead students on an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned through writing or illustration.
 

How to Apply

Step 1: Educators must complete the Education Reservation Request Form. Please be sure to specify on the Education Reservation Request Form under Program Name or Subject Requested/Self-Guided if you prefer to be considered for a self-guided program.

Step 2: Park staff will reach out to accepted classes after September 26th, 2025 to schedule a date for your park visit. Please keep in mind, programs in the Presidio are only offered Tuesday, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Step 3: New teachers must attend a Teacher Workshop for Ranger-Led programs to confirm program dates.

Step 4: For Ranger-led Programs- Teachers complete pre-site lessons with students before the scheduled Ranger Class visit. Ranger visits the classroom virtually or in-person preferably the same week as the park visit.

Step 5: For Self-Guided Programs-Teachers complete optional pre-site lessons with students before the scheduled self-guided visit. (Please be sure to submit your application for a scheduled Ranger Introduction).

Step 6: Class attends in-person park visit.

Step 7: Teachers complete the post-site lesson and share student work with Rangers.

Please contact goga_education@nps.gov if you have any questions.

 
 

Education Reservation Request Form

Use this form to apply for the Habitat Detectives Education Program.  

Please note the following:  

Program Logistics:  

  • Offered November through May.
  • Education Programs are only offered Tuesday, Thursdays, and Fridays. Programs are FREE of charge. Programs are available in a Spanish/English bilingual setting – please be sure to inform the Ranger ahead of time.   
  • Ranger-led programs generally last 2-3 hours, not including driving or lunch time. Expect total time of park visits (travel to site, program, lunch) to be approximately 3-4 hours. 
  • Expect Self-guided (Teacher Led) programs to last 2-2.5 hours, not including driving or lunch time. Expect total time of park visits (travel to site, program, lunch) to be approximately 3-3.5 hours.  
  • Due to high demand and limited spots, we will only allow a maximum of 2 classes per school to participate. Classes that are not accepted will be given the option to participate in the self-guided version of the program. 
  • New teachers are expected to attend a Teacher Workshop to be considered for a program – workshop dates will be announced on each program website. 

  • Bus scholarships may be available for high need schools. If interested in a scholarship, please include this request in the transportation section of the form. 

Group Size: 

  • Due to limited staffing at each park site, we ask that classes only apply to one of the program offerings throughout Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  
  • Program locations can ONLY accommodate 1 class per day (minimum of 10 students).  

Chaperones: 

  • Chaperones are expected to attend and support each program – 1 per 10 student ratio. 
  • Chaperones play a key role in making park programs successful and safe. Here’s what to expect on your park visit:  
    • Support student safety—your primary role throughout the day. 
    • Guide learning – help students stay focused on the lesson or speaker. 
    • Assist with materials – help distribute and collect as needed. 
    • Supervise lunch and clean-up – provide guidance during breaks. 

    • Stay curious and flexible – your attitude sets the tone for students! 

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/30/2025

Disclaimer:

A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Notices

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.

Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.

Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.

Estimated Burden Statement

Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.

 

Last updated: August 26, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
201 Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone:

415-561-4700
United States Park Police Dispatch: Non-Emergency: 415-561-5505 Emergency: 415-561-5656

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