Calling Oakland Teachers! LMI goes Back To School with Watershed Field Days 

It’s back-to-school season in Oakland — and Lake Merritt Institute is ready! Our 2025-26 Watershed Field Days program offers free, hands-on, age-appropriate science field trips for public, private, and homeschool classrooms. Students have the chance to experience the Oakland Estuary Watershed up close, exploring science and stewardship in our shared urban ecosystem. 

Led by Lake Supervisor Alfredo Sanchez, students will see Lake Merritt as a unique, living ecosystem that supports plants, animals, and people alike. Using the scientific method, they’ll make observations, develop hypotheses, and conduct experiments to answer scientific questions. They’ll learn how to assess the lake’s water quality by measuring dissolved oxygen, salinity, and water temperature. And importantly, they’ll engage in discussion about how urban watersheds work, explore the links between pollution and water quality, and discover ways we can work together to help Lake Merritt thrive.

Field trips are tailored to complement environmental science learnings in the classroom. Every visit includes a lake cleanup, giving students the chance to take direct action by removing trash from the water and shoreline. In partnership with the Lake Merritt Boating Center, classes can even take advantage of the lake’s beauty from pedal boats, kayaks, or other watercraft.

Teachers: Whether you teach 4th grade or high school biology, give your students the gift of a Watershed Field Day! LMI’s outdoor classroom can be offered in both English and Spanish and tailored to your students’ level. Along the way, students will deepen awareness of local ecology, connect with their community, and grow as environmental stewards and advocates.

Not a teacher? Share this article with someone who is! You can also help keep the program free and accessible by volunteering or making a donation. 

Look for the ‘For Educators’ tab at www.lakemerrittinstitute.org to reserve your spot or learn more.

Let’s inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, one field trip at a time!