Plant locally native host plants in your garden. A butterfly is a caterpillar’s way of making another caterpillar. Caterpillars are picky eaters, and most gardens and yards are full of beautiful plants that they just can’t eat! Imagine if your kids could only eat apples, and every store and farmer’s market around decided to stop…
Drumming up some Drummers
There is something primal about sitting around a campfire and letting your brain rest while your heart synchronizes with the beat of a drum. This ancient practice has been seen in every part of the world, including our own backyard. Scientific studies have shown that drumming reduces stress levels, which can be measured by the…
Nature Play, Wildlife Observation & more await ENC Campers next week!
It’s already February, which means President’s Week Camp is coming up soon! The ENC’s Presidents Week Camp, February 16-19th, will be a week of fun and excitement for 45 campers, who will rotate in three small groups between three Camp Teachers every day. Campers will enjoy Nature Play, where they will be given the freedom…
Enticing Hummingbirds to your Yard
Everybody likes hummingbirds; they are energetic and fearless little warriors, guarding flowers and feeders with their lives from anything that might cross their path. Due to their charming allure and vivacity, hummingbirds enthrall watchers in any garden setting, leading people to invest in their own feeders in order to attract these birds in their own…
Habitat Helpers program teaches volunteers about the detrimental effects of non-native invasive weeds
The ENC is host to a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from Museum Docent to Faire Volunteer, but it’s no secret that the ENC’s 3.5 acres of natural habitat needs more than a few helping hands to keep it healthy. Our incredible plant communities are here for the public to enjoy and explore, but they…
Welcome aboard, Nathan!
The ENC has a new marketing intern! Nathan Serafin is a recent graduate from UC Berkeley with a BS in Society and Environment and a concentration in U.S. Environmental Policy and Management. He minored in English, and was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. While at Berkeley, Nathan was involved with “Alternative Breaks,” a service-learning program…
Bring the Family to the Wilderness Survival Game Show!
More than ever, wilderness survival skill shows have become increasingly popular. From Man Vs. Wild to the contagious cult following of the Hunger Games, the exposure to wilderness survival is becoming greater and greater. While spending time in the wilderness is very healthy and healing for the spirit, knowing how to survive in the wilderness…
Why Do Wolves (and dogs) Roll On Stinky Stuff?
The following blog article is by guest blogger Skie Bender of Wolf Haven International. Skie is visiting from Washington on January 29 to present “World of Wolves II”. Register online! Wolves and dogs have three main forms of communication: vocalization, body language and scent marking and rolling. Today’s focus will be on scent rolling. If…
ENC helps educators to be more “Excellent”
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) invites all educators to the Excellent Educator Series, a monthly event at which educators learn new hands-on ways to educate children about science and nature. The Excellent Educator Series consists of four workshops. Attendees will learn exciting ways to broaden their teaching abilities. Each workshop is only $5 (free for…
Creating a Nature Preschool
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) has been a part of the Newport Beach, CA community since 1972. We are a landscape for learning, a sanctuary from life’s daily stresses, and a place of preservation and education. The ENC recently purchased a 1.3-acre property adjoining ours. Our vision is to expand our natural habitat, develop a…
ENC Winter Camp is just Around the Corner!
The ENC’s annual Winter Nature Camp is just around the corner! The first week is already full, but there are still some spots remaining in week 2. Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade will explore fun and interactive themes including “Campy Awesomeness”, Marvelously Misunderstood Animals, and Sustainability Superheroes! Each day, campers (divided into small groups by…
Featured Artist Kirsten Maeda gets creative with her Daughters!
As long as I can I remember I have always loved the arts. I grew up in a creative family and was especially inspired by my creative mom and grandmother, so creating and designing have always been a natural talent and love of mine. Now to be collaborating and working on creative projects with my daughters is one of…