Born and raised near beach towns, Jennifer Bloomfield has never left the coast or quick access to the ocean. Water has served as the source of her life passions from competitive swimming, water polo, outrigger canoeing, and bodysurfing. She loved a twenty-seven-year long career as a Newport Beach Ocean lifeguard and junior lifeguard instructor. After…
Summer Service Learning Successes at the ENC!
The Environmental Nature Center was such an amazing organization to be a part of over the summer. Being an intern helped me in so many ways professionally. For one my ability to communicate in a professional setting was strengthened by working closely with the camp staff. I was also able to gain so much experience…
Wetlands are Wonderful!
Wetlands are areas where water is present at or near the surface of the ground. They are also entirely covered by water for at least part of the year. There are two main types of wetlands: coastal wetlands and inland wetlands. Coastal wetlands are near the ocean while inlands wetlands are normally near rivers or…
My First Day as a Butterfly House Docent
Here is a report on my first time as Butterfly House Docent. I am pleased to say that I think Sunday morning went wonderfully well. I had printed out a lot of the material from the trainings and the docent manual, as well as the articles on Monarchs and OE. I also brought a butterfly…
Racial Equity with Intentionality
Racial Equity with Intentionality On January 13th I joined in a virtual workshop on the subject of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) entitled Racial Equity with Intentionality offered by The Nonprofit Partnership, in conjunction with Aspire. The goal of this workshop was to define different ‘lanes’ of equity and prepare administrators in the nonprofit sector…
A therapeutic respite in a chaotic world
My name is Jane Celeste Taylor and I am a highschool student at St. Margaret’s Episcopal school. I am in the second semester of my junior year and volunteered as a Horticulture intern. Interning for the ENC as a Horticulture Intern these past couple months has been pretty therapeutic amidst the current world events and…
Ways to Save the Earth
Here are some ENC Staff Tips to Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle! If we forgot something, please email us! Buy these inexpensive items to save the planet: Use a reusable water bottle Bring your own reusable utensils/straw Use cloth napkins & towels instead of paper Carry reusable To Go containers for leftovers Use re-usable shopping…
Tips for Utilizing Outdoor Venues that are Open (gardens, trails, etc) to Help Educate, Enlighten and Entertain kids
by Lori Whalen, ENC Assistant Director It’s true most outdoor venues seem to be re-opening, so families can go to parks, the beach, hiking, and camping just as they always would have. The ENC is open for Camp (but not to the public), so we’ve developed a list of natural places that are currently open,…
Sustainable DIY Beauty Products
Our education intern, Sam, shows us how to make four sustainable beauty products at home with ingredients you already have in your pantry! Watch her tutorial here. Easy Oatmeal Cleanser: Ingredients: Raw oatmeal Steps: Blitz oats in a blender or grind with a mortar and pestle until oats are a fine powder Add a small…
Paper Plate Snake Kite
Materials Paper plates Markers / Paint / Colored Pencils / Crayons Scissors Hole Puncher Yarn or twine Directions 1. Draw a spiral shape onto a paper plate with a marker. 2. Use markers/paint/colored pencils/crayons to make designs/patterns on the entire surface of the paper plate. 3. Once the plate is dry, cut along the spiral…
How to Make a DIY Fairy House
How to Make a DIY Fairy House Here are a few supplies you may want to use: One of the best parts of making a DIY fairy house for kids is that you can use things you already have around the house, particularly those odd craft materials you can’t figure out what to do with….
Distance Learning Resources for Educators
Greetings Fellow Educators! With kids home from school, the ENC has shifted to providing learning opportunities from afar. Here is a list of distance learning resources cutared for you! ENC Distance Learning Programs The ENC’s Distance Learning programs bring field trips to students learning at home. Want to take a virtual hike with an ENC…