High School Ecological Field Program

ICRE provides a year-long environmental education field class that fulfills the field research requirement for students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science at multiple Orange County high schools.

Guided by ICRE staff, students conduct group coastal or watershed scientific field research projects at locations such as Newport Back Bay, Huntington Beach Wetlands, and Fairview Park, culminating in a poster presentation for local city stakeholders.  

image of two students watching a demonstration

Conservation Through Education In Our Communities

Students In Action

ICRE aims to strengthen youth connections to the environment through our environmental education program. High school students engage in ecological research, native plant restoration, and endangered species conservation, benefiting the Orange County community. They conduct field research in local nature preserves, applying classroom skills to real-world situations and fulfilling STEM and NGSS standards. Additionally, students gain professional experience by presenting their work at an end-of-year poster symposium attended by environmental professionals, helping them explore science careers and build their networks.

image shows students getting ready for ground measurements
image shows student looking through microscope
image shows three students looking at field guides
image shows two students digging in the ground

High schools that have participated in our program:

Logo of Portola High School featuring a purple bulldog with a spiked collar and the school's name below.
Logo of Huntington Beach High School featuring a black and white oil drilling rig with school name and location encircling it.
Logo with a horse and a shield with the letters 'VMC' in the center, mainly in green, black, and white.
El Modena High School Vanguard logo with a red and gold color scheme featuring a stylized profile of a Native American chief inside the school initials 'EM' and a banner with the text 'Vanguard' and 'Est. 1966'.
Logo featuring an eagle's head and the text 'Estancia' with a large letter 'E' in a yellow circle.
Fountain Valley Barons sports team logo featuring a bearded knight with a crown and armor, holding a sword in each hand, with the team name in bold letters.

Partnership Organizations:

  • Orange County Water District 

  • UCI Nature 

  • Mesa Water District

  • City of Costa Mesa 

  • CA Fish and Wildlife 

  • SSSeeds

  • Irvine Ranch Water Districts

Thank you to our sponsors for their support in this program!