Parks school programs
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The City of Calgary’s nature explorations programs provide environmental education and nature experiences for students in grades 1 to 12.
Designed by our experienced educators with a focus on hands-on learning, our programs encourage students to explore and experience nature in a whole new way. We offer full-day sessions focused on specific areas of interest, or we can custom design a program to fit your educational needs. Programs will continue to be offered at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Ralph Klein Park, as well as Reader Rock Garden and Devonian Gardens.
Whatever your needs or interests are, we will work with you to deliver a unique educational experience that will take your students on an exciting journey into the natural world.
Give your students an unforgettable nature experience! Our school programs include a classroom session, guided walk and unique outdoor activities designed to bring your curriculum to life.
Host your next education professional development day or school team-building workshop at one of our unique park locations.
Book a program
To book a program for your school group, please call 311 (or complete an online 311 Service Request) with the following information:
- Program
- Name of school
- Name of teacher
- Teacher’s email address and phone number
- Grade(s) of class
- Number of students
- Preferred dates/days of the week
- Preferred program time
If you have any questions, please email parksprograms@calgary.ca.
Parks school programs can sometimes be fully booked. While we do hold waitlists, we also recommend learning about these non profit groups offering similar programs.
Programs
Class size
Maximum class size is 25 for all programs at Reader Rock Garden, and 30 for all programs at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Ralph Klein Park and Devonian Gardens.
Classes over 30 students will be charged an additional $5 per student up to a maximum of 35 students.
Programs
Grades 1-6
Winter Evidence and Investigation (Grades 1- 3)
Winter is the best time to become a nature detective! In this experiential program, students will learn about different clues that animals leave behind and how they can read those clues to tell a story. This program includes station-based activities, an evidence-focused guided walk, and a nature detective activity where students can put their learning into action.
Grades: 1 - 3
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE and Ralph Klein Park 12350 84 St SE
Seasonal: November to March
Cost: $260
Pollinator Power (Grades 1 - 3)
This hands-on program explores the amazing relationship between plants and pollinators, how the phenomenon of pollination occurs, and what actions we can take to help our local pollinators. This program includes classroom activities, a nature walk, and outdoor games.
Grades: 1 - 3
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; April to June
Cost: $260
Wetland Wigglers (Grades 1 - 3)
Participants will explore the world of aquatic invertebrates and what they can tell us about healthy wetlands. In this introduction to wetland ecosystems, learners will dive into life cycles, adaptations, interactions, and how to help our local watersheds. This program includes classroom activities, a nature walk, and a pond study.
Grades: 1 - 3
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Ralph Klein Park, 12350 84 St. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; May to June
Cost: $260
Growing Gardens Changing Cities (Grades 1 - 3)
This program takes students on an exploration of the plants, stories and history of Reader Rock Garden and Union Cemetery. Students will compare the garden’s plant growth to Calgary’s city growth and discover how these changes have shaped our world. This program includes in-class activities, a tour of the gardens and Union Cemetery, and a photo scavenger hunt.
Grades: 1 - 3
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Reader Rock Garden, 2425 9 Ave. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; May to June
Cost: $260
Only one class per day
Winter Evidence and Investigation (Grades 4 – 6)
Winter is the best time to become a nature detective! Whether identifying animal tracks in the snow or learning to orient themselves using natural clues, students will emerge with a newfound ability to read the signs and stories that nature provides us. This program includes in-class activities, an evidence-focused guided walk, and an outdoor nature investigation activity.
Grades: 1 - 3
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE and Ralph Klein Park 12350 84 St SE
Seasonal: November to March
Cost: $260
Marsh Madness (Grades 4 - 6)
Explore a local wetland ecosystem and discover the diversity of life below the surface. Using wetlands as a model, students will learn about the components of an ecosystem, how organisms adapt to their environment, and the role of healthy ecosystems in mitigating climate change. This program includes in-class activities, a nature walk, and a pond study.
Grades: 4 - 6
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Ralph Klein Park, 12350 84 St. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; May to June
Cost: $260
The Canopy and Me (Grades 4 - 6)
Explore a riparian forest ecosystem and learn all about the amazing lives of trees and other plants that make up a forest. Students will investigate what makes an urban forest unique and how human actions influence its ecology. This program includes in-class activities, a nature walk, and an outdoor plant ID challenge.
Grades: 4 - 6
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; April to June
Cost: $260
Exploring Our Legacy (Grades 4 - 6)
This program takes students on an in-depth exploration of the biodiversity and cultural diversity represented in this unique Calgary park. Students will explore the legacies of past Calgarians and reflect on their own legacies for the future. This program includes in-class activities, a guided walk of the gardens, and an interactive tour of the Union Cemetery.
Grades: 4 - 6
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Reader Rock Garden, 325 25 Ave. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; May to June
Cost: $260
Grades 7 - 9
BioBlitz (Grades 7 - 9)
In this program, anyone can be a scientist! Students will learn about citizen science projects and their impact on ecosystem health as they collect real data on biodiversity in the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. This program includes in-class activities, an ID-focused nature walk, and an outdoor bioblitz challenge.
Grades: 7 - 9
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; April to June
Cost: $260
H2Ohh! (Grades 7 - 9)
Catch the wave of water literacy with this interactive program that dives into the science of water quality and wetland ecology. Your group will learn about the story of stormwater and be empowered to create a sustainable water future. This program includes in-class activities, a nature walk, and a pond study focusing on invertebrates as indicator species.
Grades: 7 - 9
Length: 5 hours
Offered at: Ralph Klein Park, 12350 84 St. S.E.
Seasonal: September to mid-October; May to June
Cost: $260
Specialty programs
Community Trees: School Planting Program (Grades 1-12)
Community Trees: School Planting Program is a yearlong, collaborative, curriculum-based education program that culminates with planting a small-scale urban forest at your school. Students investigate the interconnections between trees and the ecosystem as a whole and will study how the site changes over time. By participating in both individual and collective actions, students will showcase their dedication to environmental stewardship and develop a deeper appreciation for trees and the importance of Calgary’s urban canopy.
We also offer a Tree Pickup Only option that allows schools to request a number of trees to plant at the school without participating in the full School Planting Program.
Applications for the 2025/2026 school year are now closed. Please check back in early 2026 for information on the 2026/2027 school year.
Grades: 1-12
Length: Yearlong program, including one or two educational sessions (depending on the grade), site preparation and soil amendment, and planting of the urban forest.
Please note: The number of schools accepted into the program each year is limited.
Nature Walks (Grades 1 - 12)
Grades: Grades 1 - 12
Length: 1 hour
Offered at: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Ralph Klein Park, Devonian Gardens and Reader Rock Garden*, or a park of your choosing.
Cost: $104
* Reader Rock Garden is seasonal: Sept. to mid-Oct.; May to June. Only one class per day.
Campus Calgary/Open Minds
City EcoAction School provides students and teachers with skills that contribute to a healthy and caring city by connecting to urban parks and natural areas. Environmental sustainability is promoted at a community level by encouraging the application of sustainable ‘eco-actions’. This program fosters engaged and informed citizens who can make eco-friendly choices for Calgary’s future.
Application deadline: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 for the 2024/2025 school year. Please click on the link above to learn more.
Application deadline: May 2025 for the 2025/2026 school year. Please click on the link above to learn more.
Grades: 1 - 12
Length: 1 week
Offered at: Ralph Klein Park, 12350 84 St. S.E, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary 2425 9 Ave S.E and Reader Rock Garden 325 25 Ave S.E
Cost: Check program website.
Sponsored programs
ConocoPhillips Mud between my toes (Grades 1 - 9)
This wetland exploration program, in partnership with ConocoPhillips Canada, includes an in-class session to introduce your students to the urban wetland, followed by a guided walk and pond study. Bus transportation is included. This program is seasonal.
Note: Applications open May 1, 2025 for the 2025/2026 school year and close May 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Grades: 1 - 9
Length: 5 hrs
Offered at: Ralph Klein Park, 12350 84 St. S.E
Cost: Free
