Public Programs

The Back Bay Science Center opens its doors during Open House: Community Day for visitors of all ages to explore the center and surrounding area known as Shellmaker Island, typically every Sunday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.  View marine life exhibits, touch intertidal animals, walk a nearby loop trail, and discover a variety of shorebirds.  Registration is not required.  Open House: Community Day will be closed on the following days: TBD.

The Explore the Bay: Marine Life Inventory is a monitoring program that takes place one Saturday a month from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  This is a hands-on opportunity for people 13-years and older to participate in data collection where organisms are collected, identified, measured, and re-released.  Contribute to the process of scientific monitoring at an Ecological Reserve and a State Marine Conservation Area.  Registration is required and for more information, visit Explore the Bay: Marine Life Inventory.

There are many animals that call this estuary home, including sharks!  Shark Camp is a two-hour education and fishing program occurring once a month in June, July, and August for youth ages 8 to 15 at the Back Bay Science Center.  Young anglers are provided all gear and are joined by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Surf Anglers.  Registration deadlines will be announced spring 2025.

Celebrate Earth Day with Newport Bay Conservancy at the Muth Interpretive Center the third Saturday of April!  This family-friendly event is full of hands-on activities and discoveries.  Enjoy live music and have a meal from one of the food trucks.  Learn about local partners and their great work to complete a scavenger hunt and earn a prize!  Registration is not required and more information about Earth Day is available at Newport Bay Conservancy.

September 7 marks California Biodiversity Day and is celebrated with weeklong events taking place at various California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California State Parks properties.  Even if you cannot join an event, you can participate on your own, contributing to California's biological inventory using iNaturalist.  Get outside and share your biodiversity adventure with others!

California Department of Fish and Wildlife works with a variety of partners and many of them have their own programs available for the public to get involved.