Image: Youth exploring one of the fishing ponds near the Markle Barn at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary. Photo by Libby Keyes.
Bring Your Students to a Living Classroom
Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary (MGBS) offers on-site, hands-on programs that bring students face to face with birds, habitats, and real field science. Your group will learn outdoors, on the trails and around the ponds, through direct observation and hands-on investigation.
Choose a program from our offerings menu, then build a visit that fits your goals. After your guided session, extend your visit with self-guided time to explore the Sanctuary’s forests, wetlands, and bird habitats at your own pace.
- Location: 3499 S. Bird Sanctuary Rd., Connersville, IN 47331
- Program Length: 60-90 minutes
- Fee: $5 per student with a 10 student minimum
- Availability: Programs/hikes are offered Thursdays and Fridays, April through October
- Audience: Audience levels for each program/hike are listed in the downloadable menu (PDF)
Ready to book a field trip? Submit the request form below and we’ll be in touch to confirm next steps.
Planning Your Visit
To schedule a field trip, review the programs/hike menu and select the experience that best fits your group. Then complete the request form with your preferred dates and group details. Our team will follow up to confirm availability and next steps.
Groups may bring sack lunches and use our outdoor shelter with picnic tables. A trash receptacle is available at the shelter. We appreciate your help in keeping the Sanctuary clean by disposing of waste properly and following Leave No Trace practices.
Additional Information
Most programs take place outdoors, so groups should dress for the weather. Sessions run rain or shine when conditions are safe, though lightning or other hazardous conditions may require adjustments. As these experiences occur in natural habitats, each visit is shaped by season, weather, and wildlife activity.
Restrooms and a water filling station are available in Brooks Hall. We recommend that students bring reusable water bottles.
Outreach Programs Across Indiana
If travel to Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is not feasible, Indiana Audubon offers one- to two-hour outreach programs for schools and community groups across Indiana. These stand-alone workshops and presentations are not curriculum-based classroom instruction, and fees begin at $150.
Questions?
Not sure which program is the right fit? Email us at [email protected] before submitting a request.
