Stough Canyon Nature Center (Chelsey Traylor)
Reviewed by: Chelsey Traylor, 8th grade Physical Science Teacher, David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank, CA
Location:
Address: 2300 E Walnut Ave, Burbank, California 91504
GPS coordinates: 34.2135019, -118.3069093
Map (below)
Description: The Stough Canyon Nature Center is located at the end Walnut Ave within the Stough Canyon Park. The nature center is a building located at the end of the short bridge next to the public restrooms. This place is nestled within the Verdugo Mountains and Rim of the Valley Trails. The Stough Canyon Nature Center is owned and managed by the City of Burbank. The Stough Canyon Nature Center is named after Oliver J. Stough who donated the land to the city of Burbank for Stough Park, the Nature Center, and the Starlight Bowl.
The Stough Canyon Nature Center has different hours of operation from September to June and July to August. The nature center is open from 1:30 pm to 5 pm on Mondays, 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays from September to June. During July and August, the nature center is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays. There is no admission cost or fee to visit the nature center.
Audience: Who should take a field trip to this location and why?
An ecology student might benefit from a field trip to the Stough Canyon Nature Center. They can learn about the various species of snakes, birds, and plants that co-exist in Stough Park and learn symbiosis through the resources available at the nature center.
An earth science teacher might benefit from a field trip with his/her students to teach about the geology of the park. The students can learn about how the canyons and mountains formed as well as the rock formations on the hiking trails.
Science Concepts Addressed: Give examples of specific science concepts that may be addressed by visitng the field trip site and explain how they are addressed.
Biomes and ecosystems: The students can learn about the various relationships that have formed between and among the flora and fauna in Stough Park and in the various landscapes by the trails.
Genetics: The students can observe the various species of plants, snakes, and birds that live in Stough Park or research these at the nature center. The students can use heredity and inheritance to figure out how many species of each plant and animal are in the park and how the species evolved.
Food Webs and Food Chains: The students can research the variety of plants and animals living in the park and design a food web or food chain to show how the food chain works within the species at the park.
Geology: The students can observe the different rock formations and how the canyon formed based on their observations of the canyon.
Study Guide: Develop a study guide that could be used by students visiting this site. The study guide should be very clear and address specific science concepts. The study guide should include the following:
Photographs:
Field Trip Guide Virtual Tour Video
For additional information:
City of Burbank - Stough Canyon Nature Center
City of Burbank - Parks and Recreation - Stough Canyon Nature Center