Event Details
Live Animals, Birds, Reptiles, “Creepy Crawly Things” and a Special Visit From Spider-Man!
MURRIETA, CA — The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau (TNEF) announces the return of its popular Family Wildlife Day, Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, 39400 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta 92562
Family Wildlife Day gives children and their families an opportunity to get up close with the wild side of nature. Guests will encounter live birds, snakes, mammals, insects and other fascinating creatures while learning about wildlife, the Santa Rosa Plateau and the importance of protecting our natural world.
Designed to inform, entertain and inspire, the event brings nature education to life through hands-on activities, live-animal encounters and presentations for children and adults.
More than 30 exhibitors and activities will be featured throughout the day, including plenty of “bats, bugs and creepy crawly things!” Participants include Project Wildlife, the Sierra Club, RivCoParks Interpreter Rob Hicks, The Reptile Guy, the Western Science Center and many other wildlife, conservation and nature-education organizations.
Young nature explorers ages 5–14 can also visit the Junior Ranger Program booth, where they can learn more about wildlife, conservation and becoming good stewards of the natural world.
A Superhero Joins the Wildlife!
Adding some superhero fun to the day, Spider-Man will make a special guest appearance beginning at 11:00 a.m., providing an exciting opportunity for young visitors to meet and take photos with the web-slinging hero.
“Family Wildlife Day is all about creating those moments when a child sees, touches or discovers something in nature and suddenly wants to know more,” said Ginger Greaves, Executive Director. “We want families to have a wonderful day together, but we also hope children leave with a greater curiosity about wildlife and an understanding that they can play a role in protecting it.”
Family Wildlife Day also introduces families to the larger environmental education mission of The Nature Education Foundation. For a limited time tickets for children/youth up to age 17 are free when adult tickets are purchased at the same time. Adult tickets are $15 each. Tickets sold at the gate on day of event will be $15 Adults and $5/children/youth.
TICKETS / DAY-OF-EVENT AT THE GATE
Adults $15 (age 18 and older) Children 3-17 $5
In honor of Veterans Day All Veterans, Retired and Active-Duty w/ID – Free Admission
TNEF partners with RivCoParks to help ensure funding and support for nature and environmental education programs serving students in grades 3–12 at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Programs include Third Grade Outdoor Education; elementary and middle school Trout-in-the-Classroom; high school citizen-science programs in phenology and air quality; and environmental studies scholarships for graduating seniors.
Serving ten school districts and approximately 8,000 students each school year, TNEF works to connect young people with meaningful experiences in the natural world.
The Nature Education Foundation’s mission is to educate and empower youth to appreciate, preserve and protect Nature
ABOUT THE NATURE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Nature Education Foundation (TNEF) is dedicated to educating and empowering youth to appreciate, preserve and protect nature. With an office at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, TNEF develops and supports programs that connect young people with the natural world. Through partnerships with RivCoParks, schools, educators and community organizations, the Foundation brings hands-on environmental education experiences to thousands of students throughout Southwest Riverside County each year. www.the-nef.org