The Oceano Dunes District currently offers two program topics for PORTS virtual field trips hosted at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

1. Discovering the Dunes

During this exciting live program, your students will learn about how the rock cycle forms the coastal sand dunes. There are some fascinating and resilient plant and animal species that have adapted to survive in this extreme habitat. This program will include discussions about the importance of protecting threatened and endangered species, including the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern.

2. Chumash Native Americans (3rd Grade Only)

During this program students learn about the Chumash culture as we focus on how the early ancestors of the Northern Chumash lived and used the natural resources of this area.

The earliest residents of this region of California are the Northern Chumash Native Americans. The Northern Chumash have been here for more than 10,000 years and the dunes continue to be an important part of their cultural heritage. Today, descendants of the Northern Chumash tribe yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini continue to live amongst the same places as their ancestors, carrying on their language and traditions.