Terrestrial Plants & Animals

Focusing on the variety of plants and animals in the Marin Headlands, a key component of this area of study is plant, animal, and habitat identification along trails. Issues such as resource management, habitat loss, and conservation are explored. Some academic activities in our taxidermy Skins and Skulls Lab may further engage students in the topics studied in the field. Please note that we cannot guarantee that all students/groups will experience any one activity. Visiting many locations depends upon schedules, tides, and minimizing human impacts. Possible activities include:

Hawk Watch

Each fall, thousands of birds of prey migrate over the Golden Gate national Recreation Area on their way south. 

• First, students learn raptor physiology with the aid of a hawk costume and learn to identify the most common raptors based on flight patterns and wing shape.
• Then, binoculars in hand, field groups hike to the top of Hawk Hill for an unparalleled view of the Golden Gate Bridge and see how many hawks they can spot and identify.
• Students often have the opportunity to learn about professional scientific monitoring of the raptor migration from Golden Gate Raptor Observatory scientists.

Plant Adaptations Hike

Before hiking, each student sketches one plant and uses Headlands Institute resources to become an expert on that plant. During a hike around Rodeo Lagoon, students stop the group and share a few interesting facts as they find their plant. Headlands Institute educators help students use their senses to safely get to know these plants. 

Skins and Skulls Lab

Get a close look at many of the inhabitants of the Marin Headlands in the Skins and Skulls lab.

• Check out the talons on a hawk
• Compare a mountain lion's paw to those of a house cat's
• Learn to identify skulls based on size, shape, and teeth

Sketching taxidermied animals helps sharpen students' observational skills and leads to conservations of animal's physical adaptations.

Nursery Stewardship Project

Some Headlands Institute students have the opportunity to help care for and plant native plants with the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy's native plant nursery. Students:

• Tour the greenhouse
• Learn about plant lifecycles and the challenges the National Park Service faces in preserving habitat
• Help out in and around the nursery

Over the past 30 years, Headlands Institute students have helped remove nonnative plants and replant natives in many areas in the Marin Headlands. 

Suggested Evening Programs

Bird beak buffet
Students test their skills as birds using a variety of "beaks" to gather food. Activity focuses on adaptations and specialization of animals.

Hawk migration
This evening program compliments a raptor day or Hawk Hill hike. Students simulate a raptor migration, complete with all the challenges of surviving.

View all evening programs.