ACHEV activities, events, and field trips are for ACHEV students unless otherwise noted.

Come see one of the largest collections of birds’ eggs and nests in the world!! 

Field Trip WFVZ Bird Museum and Research Center, Camarillo

The WFVZ (Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology) Bird Museum was founded in 1956 by Ed N. Harrison and several other prominent southern California naturalists. This hidden educational gem in Camarillo hosts one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of birds’ eggs and nests. The WFVZ mission is: To study, conserve, and  educate about the birds of the world! (You can preview the museum displays via this link: https://wfvz.org/virtual-tour/).  Tours are led by biologists and scientists who work at the museum.

The WFVZ houses:

• Eggs: more than 275,000 sets
• Nests: approximately 20,000 specimens
• Bird Study Skins: more than 57,000 specimens
• Mounted Specimens: More than 1,800 birds mounted in life-like postures

Time: Tour begins at 10am, but please arrive and 9:45 to check in and pay so that we can begin on time.

Tour length: 1 hour. The hour will be broken into a 30 min docent led tour, followed by 30 min where you can explore the museum on your own.  Younger children can do a scavenger hunt activity during free time.

Who: ACHEV members, all ages. While any age is allowed in the museum, we find that students 9+ have the best learning experience because they have an easier time seeing the specimens on top of the cabinets.

Cost: $10 per person; children 5 and under are free. The option lab add-on (1 hour) costs an additional $10, bringing the total cost to $20 per student if participating in the lab. The lab will be done after the initial 1 hour tour. We must have 8 students participating in the lab to make it happen. Payment will be collected by the museum the day of the tour. They accept cash or credit card.

Optional Lab Add-On:

• Cost: Additional $10 per student (total of $20), parents watch for free.
• Time: 11:00-12:00
• Who: Grades 3-12 .  Parents can sit inside the lab room and watch at no cost.
• What: The lab will be a hands on, interactive  lab called “What Bird is That?” with the scientists that work at the museum.  They will work with each other and the instructors on taxonomy, learn about how DNA and modern science has changed how birds are classified, and have the opportunity to get very hands on with some interesting specimens.   **Please be aware that birds are stuffed and mounted with glass eyes.  Some children may be sensitive to this.**
• We must have minimum 8 students participating in the lab to make it happen. If we have less than 8 wanting to do lab, then it will not be offered.   Indicate on the sign up sheet if your student will participate in the lab.  Max 30 students participating in the lab.

Other Important Notes:

• The museum contains information about evolution and it will likely come up during the tour.
• Please wear jackets as the museum center is kept cold.  The lab is warmer.
• Maximum group size of 44

Sign Up Here: Deadline Wednesday, February 4th.