OCEAN CONNECTORS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WILL IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AS A PRIORITY PUBLIC USE OF THE SAN DIEGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. THESE PROGRAMS AIM TO ENHANCE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE AND FAMILIARITY AMONG COMMUNITIES ADJACENT TO THE REFUGES. ACTIVITIES AND LESSONS FROM TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE INCLUDING FIELD TRIPS TO THE SWEETWATER MARSH AND SOUTH SAN DIEGO BAY UNITS OF THE SAN DIEGO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT INTRODUCTORY AND SKILL BUILDING OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. APPROXIMATELY 6000 NATIONAL CITY STUDENTS INCLUDING 600 EIGHTH GRADERS AND 600 SIXTH GRADERS WILL ENGAGE IN HANDS ON LEARNING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AS PART OF OCEAN CONNECTORS MULTIYEAR EDUCATION PROGRAM