Upper Newport Bay is managed jointly by the California Department of Fish and Game and the County of Orange Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department. The Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends provides volunteer support to these agencies in the areas of public education, restoration and fundraising.

School programs for grades 1-12 are offered at three different locations at the Bay through a cooperative effort of the above organizations, and the California Coastal Commission, which has chosen Upper Newport Bay as the development site for an exciting new Restoration and Education Program that will be adapted for other wetland locations throughout California.

• First through third grade programs are conducted at the Harbors, Beaches and Parks Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center.
• Third through sixth grade programs are conducted outdoors on Shellmaker Island by the Naturalists & Friends.
• Programs for middle/high school and above are offered at the California Department of Fish and Game Back Bay Science Center (formerly the Marine Studies Center). An interactive web-based school program will soon be available through the Back Bay Science Center.

Scout Patch Programs

Badges, try-its and achievements can be earned through our Naturalist-led outdoor, hands-on scout programs offered after school and Saturday.  These 1 1/2 and  2-hour programs include Brownie "Eco-Explorer", Junior "Wildlife", Tiger Cub "Potpourri", Bear Cub "Sharing Your World With  Wildlife", and Webelo "Naturalist".