With an educator’s mindset, we provide learning experiences that prepare people of all ages to tackle the greatest environmental challenges of our time.

Conservation education programs like STRAW, intern training, and other public programs transform Point Blue’s science into knowledge, skills, and actions that foster stewardship of our planet. That’s because we believe there’s no substitute for hands-on learning and exposure to science-in-action when it comes to inspiring people to be leaders in conservation.

A note from Steve Herman, PhD / professor, Evergreen State College: “I feel very strongly that Point Blue is a leading champion of science-driven conservation, and the many students I have sent there have benefited uniquely from their experiences. I first sent a student to (then PRBO) in 1974, most recently in 2014. I have called the organization ‘my finishing school.’”


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Laurette Rogers

Email: lrogers@pointblue.org

STRAW Program Founder and Ambassador

STRAW Program

The STRAW Program is combating climate change with every restoration project it takes on. STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed) is a collaborative network of students and teachers leading their communities to restore their local ecosystems.

STRAW empowers communities to heal the land, revitalize habitats, generate cleaner water, sequester carbon, empower children, train teachers, and inspire the conservation leaders.

Read on to learn more about our education and restoration efforts and how to get involved and click here to make a donation to support the STRAW program.

Videos

See the STRAW story and community in action.

A Simple Question (short version)

A Celebration of 30 Years of STRAW

Science Education: Students and Teachers

STRAW provides classroom and field programs, aligned with science standards, preparing students to restore streams and wetlands. Teachers are provided annual training events and given resources and technical support to integrate watershed science into their classroom year-round.

Learning Guide

Restoration Education Curriculum

Partnerships for Restoration

STRAW develops partnerships between students, teachers, county planners, habitat managers, ranchers, businesses, and scientists so that shared goals for water quality, carbon sequestration, community involvement, and habitat creation can be met through collaborative work. Please contact us if you'd like to be a partner of STRAW.

Novato Baylands Partnership


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Diana Humple

Email: dhumple@pointblue.org

Avian Ecologist & Banding Coordinator

Bird Science in Action

Point Blue offers educational field trips to our Palomarin Field Station to observe science-in-action and connect with our field biologists as they safely band and release songbirds. Every year, approximately 1,500 students and community members learn how decades of data on bird populations uncovers evidence of climate change in our backyard, and beyond.

What is Mist-netting?

Ever wonder how scientist study birds? Watch this video to learn what a visit to see this science in action entails.

Video

Drop In or Schedule a Tour

Drop-in visits are welcome at our Palomarin Field Station in Bolinas, CA for groups of 7 or fewer, between sunrise and noon most days.

If you have a group larger than 7, please contact Diana Humple, Avian Ecologist & Banding Coordinator.

Hours & Location

At our Palomarin Field Station in Bolinas, CA:

May to Thanksgiving- sunrise to noon every day but Monday;
Thanksgiving to May- sunrise to noon Wednesdays and Weekends

Closed on all major holidays.

Map of all West Marin sites


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Melissa Pitkin

Email: mpitkin@pointblue.org

Education and Outreach Director

Intern Training

Our Intern Training Program equips conservation scientists in training with the skills to safeguard nature for wildlife and people, expertise that is foundational to their career development. Each year, approximately 55 interns gain immersive field experiences in science, from the Sierra to the Pacific Ocean and Antarctica. Working side-by-side with our scientists and educators, interns are mentored in this unique educational opportunity, catapulting them into  careers in conservation.

Since 1965, our intern training program has had a global influence, having prepared over 1,500 interns from 22 countries for careers in conservation science, with approximately 80% of intern alumni developing careers these fields. In fact, the majority of Point Blue’s leadership staff and current biologists began as interns!

To learn about current internship opportunities, visit our Careers page.

Get Involved

Get Involved

You can help the environment and support our work in lots of ways: becoming a conservation volunteer, attending our events, or following and sharing our blogs and newsletters.

ENGAGE WITH US

Consider making a donation as well. Give Today