Field Trips & Outreach
All field trips include a nature hike. Students should wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable, closed-toe shoes. For questions and concerns, contact staff online or via email at olivernaturepark@mansfieldtexas.gov.
Oliver Nature Park is a unique and beautiful place to connect with nature. Students explore scientific concepts in a hands-on, inquiry-based experience through the park with a trained naturalist. Field trips follow grade-appropriate TEKS and are an affordable, exciting opportunity to get outside and explore the world of science right in your hometown.
Can’t bring the students to the park? We’ll bring the park to you. Outreach programs follow many of the same themes as field trips and are a fun opportunity to enhance your curriculum and bring scientific concepts to life.
Programs are available for Pre-K through 12th grade. See class descriptions and contact us for more details.
| MISD Schools | Outside MISD | |
| Field Trip | $5/student | $7/student |
| Outreach single program | $100 | $120 |
| Outreach 2+ consecutive programs | $80/program | $95/program |
| Deposit | n/a | $75 |
Field Trip Policies
- Field trips must be scheduled at least one week prior to program.
- $75 non-refundable deposit is due on booking for non-MISD schools and applies to balance. The final balance is due one week prior to program.
- Field trips are offered year-round and held rain or shine when possible. Please have students dress for the weather. If inclement weather occurs, our staff will contact you by 8:30 a.m. on the program date to cancel or reschedule.
- Outreach programs last one hour. Field trip times vary.
- Field trips require minimum of 15 students and maximum of 100.
- Outreach programs have no minimum and a maximum of 30. Book identical programs (up to four) back-to-back to split students into smaller groups if needed.
- Custom field trips or outreach programs may be available to match curriculum. Contact staff to discuss details.
Request a Field Trip
ADAPTATIONS
Pre-K–6th grade
Plants and animals at Oliver Nature Park are well-suited to their ecosystems. In this program, students will learn about the adaptations that help organisms survive. We will discuss what characteristics are the best adaptations for different conditions in an ecosystem. Students will go for a nature walk and meet our animal ambassadors for first-hand observation of adaptations.
BIODIVERSITY
Pre-K–7th grade
Oliver Nature Park has many different plant and animal species. In this program, students will be guided along the trails to explore the diversity of organisms in the park. We will investigate food webs and explore how the organisms within an ecosystem depend on each other. Each student will record their thoughts and observations in a field journal. In addition to our nature walk, students will work with microscopes, complete a scavenger hunt, and perform nature-related measuring tasks.
Bird Ecology
PreK-6th grade
Oliver Nature Park is home to many different species of birds. We will study the anatomy of birds by examining feathers, eggs, bones and more, including an up-close look at our animal ambassadors. Students will also hike through the park to look and listen for birds on a guided hike.
NATURE EXPLORERS
1st-12th grade
Oliver Nature Park is an intersection of prairie, forest, and riparian habitats. Students will be led by a naturalist to visit and compare resources in these different habitats. We will discuss how organisms use the resources in their environments, and we will investigate their roles in the food web. Along the way, we will stop at stations on the trail to see and touch specimens like snake skins, turtle shells, bird feathers, and more. We will also introduce students to potential environmental threats to each ecosystem. During this hiking program, students will be led through the different ecosystems that make up Oliver Nature Park.
JUNIOR NATURALISTS
2nd-12th grade
In this program, students will learn about citizen science by using the iNaturalist app on their smartphone or tablet. Students will be guided along the trails to observe and document species within the park. Along the way, they will learn how research scientists will use the data that they collect. Student observations will also be added to the Oliver Nature Park iNaturalist project.
Junior Geology
PreK-6th grade
What are fossils? How are they made? Paleontology is the study of fossils and the history of life on Earth. During this program, students will get a hands-on opportunity to observe and study fossil specimens. They will learn how these fossils were formed, and discover what life was like in Prehistoric Mansfield. Students will then hike through the park to explore the Rocky Ford.
LITTLE NATURALISTS
PreK-Kindergarten
Do your little naturalists enjoy exploring? Bring them out to Oliver Nature Park for a hands-on learning adventure! This field trip experience is geared toward guiding students to respect and enjoy nature at a young age. Little naturalists will go on a short nature walk, investigate animal tracks, listen to a nature story, sing a song, and complete a scavenger hunt. Teachers can choose to supply snacks for a short break during the field trip.
Watershed
6th-12th grade
Oliver Nature park is part of the Trinity River Watershed. Students will get an up-close look at the problems that occur throughout watersheds, and the habitats found within, and discuss solutions. Students will participate in hands-on education stations for a portion of their field trip experience, then embark on a hike to explore the park and take a closer look at Walnut Creek.
Request an Outreach Program
Animal Adaptations (Pre-K-6th Grade)
Animals at Oliver Nature Park are well-suited to their ecosystems. In this program, students will learn about the adaptations that help organisms survive. We will discuss what characteristics are the best adaptations for different conditions in an ecosystem. Students will explore animal specimens and meet our animal ambassadors for up-close observation of adaptations.
Plant Adaptations (Pre-K-6th Grade)
Plants at Oliver Nature Park are well-suited to their ecosystems. In this program, students will learn about the adaptations that help plants survive. We will discuss the different ecosystems that Oliver Nature Park offers for plant life. Students will explore plant specimens through an up-close hands-on exploration.
Little Naturalists (Pre-K-Kindergarten)
Do your little naturalists enjoy exploring? In this hands-on learning adventure students experience is geared toward guiding students to respect and enjoy nature at a young age. Little naturalists will have hands-on nature explorations, listen to a nature story and sing a song. Themes include bats, fossils, pumpkins, spiders, food chain, leaves & trees, flowers, butterflies and ladybugs.
Junior Geology (Pre-K-6th Grade)
What are fossils? How are they made? Paleontology is the study of fossils and the history of life on Earth. During this one-hour program, students will get a hands-on opportunity to observe and study fossil specimens. They will learn how these fossils were formed, and discover what life was like in Prehistoric Mansfield.
Bird Ecology (Pre-K-6th Grade)
Oliver Nature Park is home to many different species of birds. We will study the anatomy of birds by examining feathers, eggs, bones and more, including an up-close look at live baby chicks. This one-of-a-kind learning experience is only offered in the month of February.
Watershed (6th-12th Grade)
Oliver Nature park is part of the Trinity River Watershed. Students will get an up-close look at the problems that occur throughout watersheds, and the habitats found within, and discuss solutions. Students will participate in hands-on education stations for a portion of their field trip experience, then embark on a hike to explore the park and take a closer look at Walnut Creek.
