Sitting on the dock in Catalina Island and watching bioluminescence follow our fingertips in the water, the girl scouts and I bonded over nature, art, and science. They had taken me along on their Catalina trip to lead Traveling Naturalist Programs for them. Little did I know that this bond would extend beyond that trip….
So you want to work with young children in nature….
We frequently receive communications from people interested in working at our Nature Preschool, or in the Outdoor Early Childhood Education field. Here are some great suggestions from our Education Coordinator , Alex Lane, for folks with an interest in working with young children in Nature: Read up! There are a couple good books that I’ve…
The Order of the Raven Helps Middle School Kids Take Flight
There are few programs that bear such gravitas in a name like The Order of the Raven, and it’s for good reason; The Order of the Raven integrates fluid learning styles for middle schoolers as they garner new methods of self-sufficiency and discovery. The Order of the Raven is an eight-day camp brimming with activities…
Farewell, Nathan
One of my favorite parts about working at the Environmental Nature Center is the great people I work with. The staff is amazing and I consider them friends as well as talented educators. Several years ago we began a service learning internship program, which has also given me the opportunity to work with a number…
ENC’s 10th Annual Spring Faire!
It’s that time of the year again for nature lovers of all ages! The Environmental Nature Center is hosting its 10th annual Spring Faire! This is event will host the much-anticipated opening of Orange County’s one and only Butterfly House, which provides an opportunity to learn about the diets and habits of California’s native butterflies….
Trashy Yet Classy: The 4th Annual Youth Art Exhibit at the Spring Faire
Calling all young artists! The Environmental Nature Center is accepting works of art for the 4th Annual Youth Art Exhibit at the Spring Faire on May 3rd. This gives kids a chance to spread their own environmental message through their artistic talents. This year’s theme is “Trashy Yet Classy,” which presents an opportunity for kids…
The search for milkweed has begun
Butterfly lovers all over Southern California are eagerly searching for milkweed plants to attract monarch butterflies to their gardens. Because of habitat loss and pesticide use, the monarch butterfly population has dropped by 80% in the last decade, and suburban gardeners are pitching in to help provide habitat for these beautiful and iconic insects. The…
WANTED: Leaders in Training
The Environmental Nature Center is accepting applications again for its Leaders in Training program! The program provides a great opportunity for high school students to exercise important skills in passing on knowledge to the next generation of young Nature Lovers. By leading projects during school break camps, they provide kids with a chance to explore…
Excellent Educators Series: NGSS Update and Teaching well NOW
Among the many benefits that the Environmental Nature Center provides is the Excellent Educators series, a monthly pedagogical set of courses specifically designed for educators. Teachers of all kinds are invited in order to learn new methods of bringing science to the classroom! Orange County California Regional Environmental Education Coordinator Helen de la Maza will…
After School Nature Art Club at the ENC
Is your child ready to unleash her artistic wild side? Our After School Nature Art Club at the ENC is here to help him navigate the intricate details of our environment to bring his creations to life. Our very own Sama Wareh, author of “How to Draw 60 Native California Plants and Animals: A Field…
Meditation at the ENC
We live in the age of hard workers; many of us conduct our weekday labor with stress as we support our families and ourselves. At the end of the week, many of us deserve a bit of spiritual rejuvenation while being surrounded by nature, and there’s no better way to achieve that than with some…
The Environmental Nature Center Needs a 1% for the Planet Partner!
The Environmental Nature Center is a proud nonprofit member of 1% for the Planet, a cooperative coalition made up of more than 1,200 businesses that give one percent of their overall sales towards climate improvement, environmental education, and environmental wellness to both wildlife and humans. 1% for the Planet brings the oft-isolated spheres of business…