Field Trips – Monterey
Tuesday (& Saturday) Field Trips Organized by the Central Coast Chapter of TWS
We hope you can arrive a little early for the conference, and stay a little late to explore the best of Monterey. The CA Central Coast Chapter of TWS has organized some great field trips that highlight the local area!
Check back soon – more field trips will be added as the details are developed! Please note that all field trips require advance registration and have a separate *extra fee from the Annual Meeting.
Tuesday, February 3rd: 7:15am to 12:00pm- Cost $25 per person, Limit 30 people
- Must be registered for the Annual Meeting to attend field trips!
This field-based experience at Fort Ord Natural Reserve will introduce participants to small mammal ecology through live-trapping, species identification, and skull morphology in collaboration with the UC Santa Cruz Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History. Sherman traps will be pre-set by permitted reserve staff (Joe Miller and UCSC students) at a long-term monitoring grid for hands-on identification demonstrations at the site. Please note that the field trip may be canceled if minimum registration requirements are not met or if weather conditions are deemed unsafe. In such cases, full refunds will be issued. Please bring: Binoculars, hiking boots, water, snacks, layered clothing, light rain jacket, camera, and sun protection.
Tuesday, February 3rd: 7:45am-12pm- Cost $25 per person, Limit 30 people.
- Must be registered for the Annual Meeting to attend field trips!
Join local wildlife biologist Robert Shields for a casual hiking adventure at the U.C. Berkeley-owned Hastings Natural History Reservation in Carmel Valley. The morning will be dedicated to searching for fascinating local amphibians such as newts and salamanders, with the possibility of spotting lizards, snakes, and even feathered reptiles aka birds. The event starts with gathering at the hotel parking lot before carpooling to the reserve. Upon arrival, there will be a short decontamination process to protect delicate habitats. Participants will enjoy about three hours exploring a variety of Carmel Valley’s habitats while learning about its unique animal residents. All experience levels welcome; come prepared for a memorable morning outdoors! Please note that the field trip may be canceled if minimum registration requirements are not met or if weather conditions are deemed unsafe. In such cases, full refunds will be issued. Please bring: Comfortable hiking boots, Rain gear, Hat, Sunscreen (avoid applying to hands), Water, Snacks, Camera, Binoculars, No lotions or sunscreen on hands (for safe amphibian handling).
Tuesday, February 3rd: 8am-12pm- Cost $25, Limit 30 people.
- Must be registered for the Annual Meeting to attend field trips!
Join us for a guided hike through the Santa Lucia Preserve. Along the way, we’ll discuss raptor counts, sensitive species and their habitats, and the land management practices our organization uses to support conservation goals, protect wildlife corridors, and maintain the ecological integrity of the Preserve through a variety of techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, conservation enthusiast, or just curious about how thoughtful stewardship shapes these wild spaces, this hike offers something for everyone. This is a moderate hike through mixed habitat types; field optics are highly recommended. Please note that the field trip may be canceled if minimum registration requirements are not met or if weather conditions are deemed unsafe. In such cases, full refunds will be issued. Please bring: Binoculars, hiking boots, water, snacks, layered clothing, light rain jacket, camera, and sun protection.
(4) Monterey Bay Aquarium Meet Up
Tuesday, February 3rd: At both 10am AND 1pm- Cost $65, No Limit!
- Open to all, no need to pre-register
Meet up with fellow TWS-WS Annual Meeting attendees and explore the aquarium together. The aquarium does not offer group discounts or programming so we’ll keep it simple and meet at the front main entrance on Tuesday at BOTH 10am and 1pm. Purchase your own entrance ticket ahead of time online to avoid waiting in line.
Frolicking sea otters, fast-swimming sharks, pulsating jellies and waddling penguins — our world-class exhibits and breathtaking scenery instill a love of the ocean in our visitors. With over 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and animals, the Aquarium is a window to the wonders of the ocean.
Tuesday, February 3rd: 9:15am to 12pm- Cost $90, Limit 40 people.
- Must be registered for the Annual Meeting to attend field trips!
Join us for a 1.5-hour kayak tour of Elkhorn Slough, where we’ll explore the rich estuarine ecosystem just beyond the shore. Though the paddling route is short and accessible, participants will have excellent opportunities to observe local wildlife up close—including playful sea otters, resting harbor seals, and a variety of shorebirds. Please note that the field trip may be canceled if minimum registration requirements are not met or if weather conditions are deemed unsafe. In such cases, full refunds will be issued. Please bring: Quick-drying water-friendly clothing, water shoes or sandals with straps (closed-toe preferred), hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, reusable water bottle, windbreaker or light rain jacket, towel, change of clothes, snacks, dry bag or waterproof pouch, binoculars, camera, insect repellent, small backpack or daypack.
Tuesday, February 3rd: 10am to 2pm- Cost $25, Limit 30 people.
- Must be registered for the Annual Meeting to attend field trips!
This field excursion to the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary offers wildlife biologists an opportunity to observe overwintering monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in one of California’s most well-studied coastal aggregation sites. The tour will highlight microhabitat conditions critical to monarch survival, site fidelity, and current research and conservation efforts addressing population declines. Please note: this trip is contingent on the presence of monarchs at the site and may be canceled if monarchs have departed the sanctuary prior to the scheduled date or weather is deemed unsafe. Please bring: Binoculars, closed-toed footwear, water, snacks, layered clothing, and sun protection.
Tuesday, February 3rd: 3:30pm to 6:15pm- Cost $65, Limit 22 people.
- Must be registered for the Annual Meeting to attend field trips!
Join us for Happy Hour on a one-of-a-kind, electric-powered catamaran ride for a narrated wildlife tour along one of California’s largest tidal waterways during one of the best time’s of the day – sunset. You are welcome to BYOB during this relaxing and educational sunset tour! A small selection of adult beverages will be provided. Please note that the field trip may be canceled if minimum registration requirements are not met or if weather conditions are deemed unsafe. In such cases, full refunds will be issued. Please bring: Please dress warmly and in layers. Sun hats and sunglasses are highly recommended as there is no roof on the vessel. It is always best to dress in layers as the weather can change drastically on our beautiful California Coast. No need to worry about seasickness as the Slough is flat calm and our boat is an extremely stable platform. Bring a camera and binoculars if possible!
Saturday, February 7th: Time Coming Soon!- Cost $125, Limit 200 people.
- Open to all!
Embark on an unforgettable whale watch tour in Monterey Bay, one of the world’s premier marine wildlife habitats. Participants will have the opportunity to observe a diverse range of marine mammals, including migrating gray whales, playful humpbacks, and resident blue whales, alongside dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds. Guided by expert naturalists, this excursion offers an immersive experience in marine ecology, emphasizing species identification, behavior, and conservation challenges in a dynamic ocean environment. Please note that the field trip may be canceled if minimum registration requirements are not met or if weather conditions are deemed unsafe. In such cases, full refunds will be issued. Please bring: Layered clothing, windbreaker or waterproof jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, reusable water bottle, camera, motion sickness medication (if needed), comfortable non-slip shoes, light snacks (optional), backpack or daypack.