Field Trips and Restoration from Santa Clarita to Calabasas to Northeast LA to Huntington Park
For 46 years, hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles-area children have had the opportunity to learn about nature in a hands-on way through field trips to TreePeople’s hilltop campus at Coldwater Canyon Park; now, so many others will get to experience nature closer to home in eight new locations across SoCal: Castaic Lake, Huntington Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Rio de Los Angeles State Park, Rudy Ortega Park, Salt Lake Park, San Francisquito Canyon, The Audubon Center at Debs Park, and UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve.
At six of the new sites, we will take young people on trips to seek the natural cycles and resources within their community. Beyond field trips, TreePeople will offer restoration trips at San Francisquito and Castaic Lake where students can get their hands dirty and take part in planting a greener future. More details below.
Educational programming has been at the heart of everything TreePeople does since we started giving Eco-Tours in 1978. Fostering generations that understand, value, and actively participate in the preservation of our natural world is essential to our mission. By connecting youth with hands-on experiences in nature, we empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing environmental challenges. This latest expansion underscores our commitment to making environmental education accessible to even more communities across Southern California.
In addition to our new locations, we will continue to provide Eco-Tours to over 12,000 students each year at our headquarters at Coldwater Canyon Park, Public Family Tours, and Moonlight Hikes in partnership with Living Earth. TreePeople's Eco-Tours have been a cornerstone of our mission, offering immersive, educational experiences that connect youth to the natural world and promote environmental stewardship. This historic program has played a crucial role in inspiring generations to take action for a more sustainable and resilient future by deepening their understanding of ecosystems and conservation practices.
New Locations:
Rudy Ortega Park (San Fernando), Field Trips:
TreePeople is excited to offer free, guided field trips at Rudy Ortega Park led by our knowledgeable Eco-Educators. These trips are specifically designed for students from the City of San Fernando and Southeast Los Angeles, providing them with a local, hands-on nature experience.
Salt Lake Park (Huntington Park), Field Trips:
Spanning 23 acres, Salt Lake Park is the largest park in Huntington Park, serving as a vital community hub. TreePeople’s guided tours here allow students to explore the park’s green spaces while learning about watersheds, soil health, and the importance of native plants versus non-native species—all within the context of their local environment.
The Audubon Center at Debs Park (Los Angeles), Field Trips:
Located within the 282-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, this site features the nation’s first LEED Platinum certified building. Our field trips at Debs Park include guided nature walks where students observe sustainable practices, from renewable energy and water conservation to recycled building materials and native landscaping.
Castaic Lake (Castaic), Restoration:
Under the guidance of TreePeople experts, students will engage in hands-on habitat restoration and learn about the importance of ecosystems, planting native species, and removing invasive plants—all contributing to environmental stewardship and ecosystem recovery.
Malibu Creek State Park (Santa Monica Mountains), Field Trips:
Nestled in the stunning Santa Monica Mountains, this location offers a picturesque outdoor classroom. Our field trips focus on Malibu Creek’s Chaparral and Riparian environments, with students exploring the impact of human activities on local watersheds, the role of keystone species, and the need for ongoing conservation efforts.
Rio de Los Angeles State Park (Northeast Los Angeles), Field Trips:
Students will explore the vibrant ecosystems of Rio de Los Angeles State Park, an urban oasis in the heart of Los Angeles. This field trip includes a visit to the LA River, discussions on local biodiversity, and an examination of restoration efforts aimed at revitalizing the park, which once served as a rail yard in 1875.
San Francisquito Canyon (Santa Clarita), Restoration:
Taking place in the Angeles National Forest, students can participate in restoration efforts in areas impacted by wildfire. Through planting native species and removing invasives, they will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of native plants for water conservation and wildfire prevention.
UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve (Calabasas), Field Trips:
Set in the scenic Santa Monica Mountains, this site offers a unique educational experience within the University of California Natural Reserve System. Students will embark on a guided hike through chaparral and oak woodland, learning firsthand about the natural principles governing our forests.
Moonlight Hikes En Comunidad: A Unique After-Hours Experience (San Fernando and Huntington Park):
In addition to daytime field trips, TreePeople invites the community to join us for our "Moonlight Hikes En Comunidad" at both Huntington Park and San Fernando. Funded by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, these hikes offer an enchanting exploration under the stars. Suitable for all ages and experience levels, these guided hikes provide a magical way to connect with nature after hours.
Rudy Ortega Park (San Fernando), Field Trips:
TreePeople is excited to offer free, guided field trips at Rudy Ortega Park led by our knowledgeable Eco-Educators. These trips are specifically designed for students from the City of San Fernando and Southeast Los Angeles, providing them with a local, hands-on nature experience.
Salt Lake Park (Huntington Park), Field Trips:
Spanning 23 acres, Salt Lake Park is the largest park in Huntington Park, serving as a vital community hub. TreePeople’s guided tours here allow students to explore the park’s green spaces while learning about watersheds, soil health, and the importance of native plants versus non-native species—all within the context of their local environment.
The Audubon Center at Debs Park (Los Angeles), Field Trips:
Located within the 282-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, this site features the nation’s first LEED Platinum certified building. Our field trips at Debs Park include guided nature walks where students observe sustainable practices, from renewable energy and water conservation to recycled building materials and native landscaping.
Castaic Lake (Castaic), Restoration:
Under the guidance of TreePeople experts, students will engage in hands-on habitat restoration and learn about the importance of ecosystems, planting native species, and removing invasive plants—all contributing to environmental stewardship and ecosystem recovery.
Malibu Creek State Park (Santa Monica Mountains), Field Trips:
Nestled in the stunning Santa Monica Mountains, this location offers a picturesque outdoor classroom. Our field trips focus on Malibu Creek’s Chaparral and Riparian environments, with students exploring the impact of human activities on local watersheds, the role of keystone species, and the need for ongoing conservation efforts.
Rio de Los Angeles State Park (Northeast Los Angeles), Field Trips:
Students will explore the vibrant ecosystems of Rio de Los Angeles State Park, an urban oasis in the heart of Los Angeles. This field trip includes a visit to the LA River, discussions on local biodiversity, and an examination of restoration efforts aimed at revitalizing the park, which once served as a rail yard in 1875.
San Francisquito Canyon (Santa Clarita), Restoration:
Taking place in the Angeles National Forest, students can participate in restoration efforts in areas impacted by wildfire. Through planting native species and removing invasives, they will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of native plants for water conservation and wildfire prevention.
UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve (Calabasas), Field Trips:
Set in the scenic Santa Monica Mountains, this site offers a unique educational experience within the University of California Natural Reserve System. Students will embark on a guided hike through chaparral and oak woodland, learning firsthand about the natural principles governing our forests.
Moonlight Hikes En Comunidad: A Unique After-Hours Experience (San Fernando and Huntington Park):
In addition to daytime field trips, TreePeople invites the community to join us for our "Moonlight Hikes En Comunidad" at both Huntington Park and San Fernando. Funded by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, these hikes offer an enchanting exploration under the stars. Suitable for all ages and experience levels, these guided hikes provide a magical way to connect with nature after hours.
About TreePeople: TreePeople unites the power of trees, people, and nature-based solutions to grow a more climate-ready Southern California. The environmental nonprofit organization inspires, engages and supports people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, facilitates collaboration among government agencies, and promotes leadership in grassroots volunteers, students and communities. In this way, TreePeople seeks to build a powerful and diverse coalition to grow a greener, healthier and more water-secure Southern California for present and future generations. For more information, visit treepeople.org.
For more information about TreePeople’s educational programs and how to participate in our expanded field trips, visit treepeople.org or contact us at fieldtrips@treepeople.org.
For more information please contact:
Alex Miller
Director of Marketing & Communications
amiller@treepeople.org
Alex Miller
Director of Marketing & Communications
amiller@treepeople.org
