Bay Area Field Ecology

Learn More >

NEW!   Bay Area Field Ecology will be offered as a “little b” blend for Spring 2019 at Marin Academy.

Be sure to check out the updated “little b” version of the course description.

Learn More >

This course focuses on using ecological field tools and journaling to explore one’s “backyard ecosystem”. During the semester students will have the opportunity to research in depth their own backyard environment.  Students will be supplied with a kit which contains tools that they will use throughout the semester to study bay area ecology.  The course will focus on journaling and documentation to demonstrate growth in the field.  Participants in this course will document their weekly studies through inaturalist observations and field journal entries.  Students who like the outdoors and/or want to know more about the biodiversity of the San Francisco bay area should strongly consider this course.  All students will also complete an individual field service project that relates to an area they are interested in. During our face-to-face meetings students will work with scientists and naturalists and learn instrumentation and methodology for field study and practice it in a field setting.  Students will have the opportunity to present an interpretive talk during one of our face-to-face trips on a topic or species that interest them.  The class meets every other week during mutually agreed upon times (typically evenings 8:30 pm to 9:15 pm) through Zoom (virtual) meetings to check in, build community and share work.  This course culminates with a certification field practical that tests students’ growth in the field of bay area ecology and naturalists skills.  This course is well suited for students who are self motivated, interested in ecology, journaling and who want to spend more time outside! Students should expect to spend 2 hours a week outside for this course and 1.5 to 2 hours indoors reading, analyzing and sharing data.
What past students have to say about this course:
Bay Area Ecology

  • “I treasure the small things in our natural environment more after the course.  For example, I could not care less about lichen or gum plant before this course, but actually studying them as individuals makes them more interesting (especially lichen!) I want to know even more about California’s birds and their lives in the bay area now!”.
  • “I love trying to identify the species around me now.  Even driving down the highway I see things like the common bird’s foot flower, coyote bush and cow parsley I never noticed before.”
  • “Group outdoor learning was my FAVORITE part of this class. I learned so much from Liz and fellow classmates.  The engagement was more fervent when we were all together outside studying our surroundings!  I loved the hands on learning opportunities that helped me appreciate and love the parks and organisms that are all around me!”
  • “I really liked the Zoom meetings, actually.  I enjoyed spending time with and getting to know my classmates through these virtual classes.”

Face to Face (F2F) outings:

  • Point Reyes Camping Trip (Friday evening to Saturday evening)
  • Mt. Diablo Natural History (Sunday, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm)
  • Crissy Field Natural History (Sunday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm)
  • Headlands & Mt. Tamalpais Natural History (Sunday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm)
  • Final practical, presentations & celebration! (Monday, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
    These F2F outings are a required part of the course and integral to your success in this course!

LizGottliebLiz Gottlieb – Marin Academy
Liz currently teaches Biology and AP Environmental Science and coaches the Cross Country team at Marin Academy. She also leads a number of running, hiking, and restoration outings, including a cross-country summer running outing in Tahoe. She received a BA from Colby College and also studied Education at Loyola Marymount and Social Justice at San Francisco University. Liz began her teaching career by participating in Teach for America, where she taught seventh- and eighth-grade science at Roosevelt Middle School in Compton, California.

Student Testimonials

I enjoyed the flexibility of my blendEd course, and I also enjoyed the connections I was able to make with the other members of my class, as well as with my teacher. In addition, the course content was super interesting.
Junior at Lick-Wilmerding, Fall 2016
I love how the course allowed me to focus more on learning for myself and at my own pace.
Senior at Marin Academy, Summer/Fall 2019
I enjoyed getting to know Liz, online meetings, spending time outside, and face to face outings!
Senior at College Prep, Fall 2016

I really liked the virtual meetings and face to face outings, because it was always nice to check-in with other students and the teacher. Personally, I found interactive learning to be really enjoyable and important. I also loved Liz’s contagious passion and support for her students.

Senior at Marin Academy, Fall 2016
I love how the content connected me to my everyday life and prompted me to spend more time outside! It also prompted me to spend time with my mom, because my mom is a really big gardener. I also found that I spent more time with my family overall, because we took walks together on trails with my dog.
Junior at Lick-Wilmerding, Spring 2016
Everyone who is willing to challenge themselves in wilderness and wants to learn more about it should take this course. I highly recommend this course because of the amazing experiences you will have.
Junior at Athenian, Summer/Fall 2019