School field trips

During the fall of 2026, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will partner with The Nature Conservancy and Utah State University Extension to host the Wings & Water Wetlands Education Program for school field trips. While repairs and improvements are underway on The Nature Conservancy's boardwalk trail, the program will temporarily relocate to the Eccles Wildlife Education Center.

Although this represents a temporary change from how school field trips have been offered at the education center, we are pleased to support our partners while continuing to provide students with high-quality natural resource conservation education experiences. The Wings & Water Wetlands Education Program will be the only formal school field trip program offered at the education center this fall and is available exclusively to fourth-grade classes.

See the Wings & Water Wetlands Education Program website for more information and to register.

Self-guided visit with your class

Preschool and homeschool groups of up to 25 people (including students, teachers and chaperones), are welcome to visit the education center and explore the trails independently during daylight hours. These self-guided visits provide a flexible, hands-on way for young learners to experience the education center and wetlands.

School groups with more than 25 people (including students, teachers and chaperones) are also welcome to explore the trails on a self-guided visit; however, a Special Use Permit* is required, and visits must be scheduled in advance to avoid conflicts with other programs, events or facility activities. These visits may NOT be schduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in September and October. If this is something you want to pursue, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Please include your preferred date and the estimated number of participants.

We are currently developing a "Wetland Explorer" activities booklet that self-guided field trip leaders will be able to download and use to help guide their group's exploration of the nature trails. Check back for a link to the booklet later.

*Per Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Administrative Rule R657-28, any organized event, defined as "any event in which registration fees are collected, commercial gain may occur, prizes are awarded for competition, an enrollment or participation list is created, is advertised, or a group is assembled as part of a club or organizational activity" is required to obtain a Special Use Permit before visiting the center. A school field trip is considered an organized event. Because educational field trips align with the purpose of the facility, EWEC Field Trip Special Use Permits will be offered to schools at no cost during the 2026-27 school year. These permits may be issued to either an individual school or a public school district and are valid for the school year.

Permits issued to an individual school apply to all classes and school-sponsored groups affiliated with that school during the permit period. Permits issued to a public school district apply to all schools operated by that district. Charter schools, private schools and homeschool groups must obtain their own Special Use Permit and are not covered under a public school district-issued permit.

Frequently asked questions