Tulare County Office of Education - Circle J-Norris Ranch

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Welcome to the Ranch!

Mission Statement

Blue Oak Tree

Circle J - Norris Ranch is a beautiful 620-acre field trip site in the Sierra foothills. It is operated by Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) as part of the SCICON program.

Classes of all ages (primary, middle school, high school and community college) can visit the site to explore and participate in unforgettable hands-on learning experiences.

The Circle J - Norris Ranch outdoor education programs came into being in 1996, when ranch owner Eleanor Norris forged an agreement with TCOE to host educational programs on her beautiful ranch. Helping start outdoor education programs runs in Elli's family, as her great aunt, Clemmie Gill, started the SCICON program with a similar gift of thirty-five acres.

Learning Opportunities

The learning opportunities at the Circle J are limitless. A field trip to the site provides students with hands-on learning experiences such as:

authentic scientific research investigating blue oak regeneration
writing and sketching nature observations in a nature journal
gazing at distant planets through a telescope at a star party
observing native wildflowers and their pollinators
creative interpretation of the ranch through painting, sculpture, photography and writing
following scientific protocols investigating weather, soils, hydrology and biota as part of the GLOBE program
explorations of ranch history

Ranch Location

Heron Pond

The Circle J-Norris Ranch is just six miles from the SCICON campus, located at the intersection of Balch Park and Yokohl Valley roads. This beautiful ranch, at an elevation of 1800 feet, is dotted with oaks and contains a five acre pond, small year round stream, geologic and archaeological sites. By design, the ranch is to be maintained in open space with minimal development and a focus on day-long field trips.

We welcome you to become a part of educational history as the Circle J - Norris Ranch grows into a powerful outdoor education tool.

Tulare County Office of Education
Circle J - Norris Ranch
P.O. Box 339
Springville, CA 93265

Nancy Bruce, Education Coordinator
Rick Mitchell, SCICON Director
(559) 539-2263
fax: (559) 539-2369

Please direct web site problems or comments to tcoeweb@tcoe.org.