Field Trip Forms & Resources
Pre-Approved Field Locations
Field trip sites have been pre-approved based on extensive prior use, faculty experience leading student groups, and documented risk assessment evaluations. These locations have consistently met established safety and educational standards, with identified risks addressed through site-specific mitigation measures. Faculty familiar with the sites provide informed oversight of environmental and operational conditions, and access to emergency medical services has been verified to support timely response if needed. Each field trip and subsequent post-trip evaluation functions as an updated risk assessment, renewing the five-year reevaluation cycle and ensuring continued safety and suitability. In addition, all field trips comply with Clery Act requirements through the documentation and reporting of incidents, maintenance of accurate safety records, and established emergency response procedures, supporting both regulatory compliance and a safe learning environment for participants.
Austin Area
| Location | Pre-Approved Activities (see key below) |
| Horsby Bend Biosolids Management Facility | a |
| Horsby Bend Bird Observatory | a, b, d |
| Inner Space Caverns | a, b, c, d |
| Longhorn Caverns | a, b, c, d |
| Mackinney Falls State Park | a, b, c, d; with permit e, f, g, k |
| Natural Bridge Caverns | a, b, c, d |
| Paese Park | a, b, c, d |
| Pedernales State Park | a, b, c, d, with permit e, f, g, o |
| Roy Creek Canyon | a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, k |
| Spicewood Springs | a, b, c, d |
| University of Texas Science and Natural History Museum | j |
| Cedar Creek EcoLab | a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, k |
| Spring Lake and Meadows Center | a, b, d, j |
| Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | a, b, c, d, I, j, k |
| Wildlife Rescue | a, d, h, k, (o with risk assessment) |
Big Bend National Park
| Location | Pre-Approved Activites |
| Chisos Mountains Window Trail | additional review required |
| Chisos Mountains Window View Trail | additional review required |
| Santa Elena Canyon | additional review required |
| South Rim Loop Trail | additional review required |
| Lost Mine Trial | additional review required |
| Chisos Mountains Window Trail | additional review required |
International (All locations require additional review and approval)
| Location | Pre-Approved Activities |
| La Selva Biological Research Station | a, b, c, d, g, (i, j limited), k |
| Manu Biological Research Station | a, b, c, d, g, (i, j limited), k |
| Wayquecha Cloud Forest Research Station | a, b, c, d, g, (i, j limited), k |
| Finca Las Piedras Research Station | a, b, c, d, g, (i, j limited), k |
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (requires additional review and approval)
Approved Field Activities by Location
A. Guided Hike
B. Day Hiking
C. Night Hiking
D. Photography (No Drones)
E. Frogging
F. Insect Collecting
G. Water Sampling
H. Trail Maintenance
I. Solo Hiking
J. Self-Guided Activities
K. Camera Trapping
L. Boating
M. Diving
N. Snorkeling
O. Handling Wildlife
Current versions of documents pertaining to field activities are given here. Use only current forms and do not modify them except to fill them out as needed. These documents are listed in order of probable use.
Once you have completed the required forms, please send them to Lala Guerra (NOT to George).
- Field Experience Approval Form
- Site Risk Assessments for Pre-Approved Locations
- General Protocol for Science Field Activities
- Field Experience Waiver & Release of Liability
- Hazard Assessment Form – Terrestrial Field Activity – under review
- Hazard Assessment Form – Aquatic Field Activity – under review
Contacts:
Field activity coordination and procedural questions
Stefanie Bergmanson – Assistant Chair Experiential Learning
Equipment checkout, scheduling, and technical support
Shannon Grace – Environmental Science Technician
Geology equipment checkout, scheduling, and technical support
Amie Hammond – Geology and Oceanography Technician
Administrative oversight, policy interpretation, approvals, conflict resolution, and formal complaints
Dr. Mark Shepherd, Chair Earth and Environmental Sciences