Weekend & Family Programs
Explore the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary on Saturdays from 9-5. Restoration workdays appropriate for the entire family are the 3rd Saturday of each month. New weekend family programs and night hikes are being scheduled. Check back in a few weeks for more details.
Our weather changes rapidly depending on the fog and there is always a chance to encounter dirt and water, so please dress appropriately. Closed toe, walking shoes are highly recommended! Bring waste free snacks and reusable water bottles to enjoy while here.
- Sandpipers Explore Decomposition
- Thursday, December 1st, 9:30 – 10:30am
Children ages 2 – 4 explore the Sanctuary with their grown up and our teacher naturalist. We’ll be learning all about the amazing process of decomposition and paying a visit to a kid favorite, Worm Town! For more information, contact Kelsey Bechelli at (415) 388-2524 x103 or . Space is limited to 12 children. Advanced registration is required to hold a spot. $20/child. - Full Moon Night Hike
- Saturday, December 10th, 6 - 8pm
Interested in the night life in Richardson Bay? Check out our sanctuary after the sun goes down! Learn how animals have adapted to live in the dark, take a hike under a full moon, and look at the spring constellations. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $7. Advanced registration required: 388-3534. - Sandpipers Explore Camouflage
- Thursday, December 15th, 9:30 – 10:30am
Children ages 2 – 4 explore the Sanctuary with their grown up and our teacher naturalist. Animals have amazing adaptations and one of the most spectacular is camouflage. We’ll be searching high and low and perhaps trying out a little camouflage ourselves! For more information, contact Kelsey Bechelli at (415) 388-2524 x103 or . Space is limited to 12 children. Advanced registration is required to hold a spot. $20/child. - Youth Winter Bird Count
- Saturday, January 14th, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Youth of all ages and their families are invited to join the Richardson Bay Audubon Center, WildCare, and PRBO in an event that celebrates the spirit of Audubon’s long standing Christmas Bird Count. Together children, teens, and their families will explore the marsh, bay and uplands near San Rafael’s Pickleweed Community Center. Led by expert birders, many bilingual in English and Spanish, participants will learn how to identify and collect data on the birds visiting our area during winter. Fun for the whole family!
FREE program, but advanced registration is required. Please call 415-388-2524 for more information or visit our Youth Winter Bird Count page, for registration forms and more details. - Sandpipers Winter Session
- Thursdays, January 19 - February 9, 9:30 – 10:30am & 3:30 – 4:30pm
Sandpipers programs bring 2-4 year olds and their adult to our Center to explore the wonders of the Sanctuary through the seasons. Rain or shine, our teacher naturalist will lead pond, trail, insect, beach, or bird explorations. Specific session topics will depend on nature! For more information, contact Kelsey Bechelli at (415) 388-2524 x103 or . - Winter/Spring Bird Walk
- Saturday, January 21st, 8:30–10:30am
Join us for a bird walk led by Kerry Wilcox, our Sanctuary Manager and experienced birder. We will view and learn about the waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds that visit the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary during the winter and spring. Beginner and advanced birders, and families welcome. Cost: $7/participant. RSVP: 388-2524. - Restoration Work Day
- Saturday, January 28th, 9am-12pm
Bring your family and friends for a morning of restoration and clean-up at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. We may be removing trash, invasive plants, or helping with restoration projects. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FREE program. RSVP: 388-2524. - Life in a Pond
- Saturday, February 11th, 10am-12pm
When it rains, seasonal ponds suddenly come to life and become a valuable resource for local wildlife. Bring your sense of adventure and wear clothes and shoes that can get muddy/wet, and we’ll explore the micro to macro inhabitants of our seasonal pond. Appropriate for children ages 5-8. Children ages 4 and under may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult. Program will cancel with less than 5 participants. Cost: $7/participant. Advance Registration Required: 388-2524. - Sanctuary Night Hike
- Saturday, February 18th, 6 - 8pm
Interested in the night life in Richardson Bay? Check out our sanctuary after the sun goes down! We'll take a Naturalist lead hike through our Sanctuary and if the clouds allow, explore the winter constellations. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $7. Advanced registration required: 388-2524. - Sandpipers Winter Session
- Thursdays, March 1 – April 29, 9:30 – 10:30am, 11am – 12pm, & 3:30 – 4:30pm
Sandpipers programs bring 2-4 year olds and their adult to our Center to explore the wonders of the Sanctuary through the seasons. Rain or shine, our teacher naturalist will lead pond, trail, insect, beach, or bird explorations. Specific session topics will depend on nature! For more information, contact Kelsey Bechelli at (415) 388-2524 x103 or . - Restoration Work Day
- Saturday, March 10th, 9am-12pm
Bring your family and friends for a morning of restoration and clean-up at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. We may be removing trash, invasive plants, or helping with restoration projects. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FREE program. RSVP: 388-2524. - Sanctuary Night Hike
- Saturday, April 7th, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Interested in the night life in Richardson Bay? Check out our sanctuary after the sun goes down! We'll take a Naturalist lead hike through our Sanctuary and if the clouds allow, explore the winter constellations. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $7. Advanced registration required: 388-2524. - Spring Adventures Camp
- Monday, April 9th – Friday, April 13th, 9am – 2pm
Rain or shine campers, ages 5-7, explore the Sanctuary’s trails, beaches, and pond in true naturalist fashion, letting the excitement of outdoor play lead their discovery and explorations. Cost: $325 per child. Advanced Registration Required: 388-2524. - Earth Day EVENT
- Saturday, Apr 21, 9am-1pm
Celebrate Earth Day by bringing your family and friends for a morning of naturalist led explorations, bird watching, restoration and clean-up. We will be providing information about bay and bird conservation as well as the research at Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. Help make a difference and connect with our beautiful bay and uplands. Even the wildflowers should be out in full force to brighten the day! Activities are appropriate for all ages, including young children. All restoration participants are asked to sign a waiver, for youth under 18 a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a re-useable water bottle, wear appropriate clothing and close-toe shoes. FREE EVENT. RSVP: 388-2524. - Worm Bin Workshop
- Saturday, May 5th, 9:30-11:30am
Learn how to make a worm bin for your home or classroom! Worm bins keep food waste out of landfills and produce wonderful soil for your garden. We’ll also explore other methods of composting, such as tumblers and yard waste bins. Appropriate for families or individuals. Cost: $40 per bin (includes bin, info packet, & starter worms). Advance Registration Required: 388-2524. - Download our education brochure
