By: Connie Loo, Event Planning Intern I have been volunteering at the Environmental Nature Center for the past ten weeks as an event planning intern. The Environmental Nature Center is a great place for children to learn about nature through hands-on experience in five acres of nature trails. I would definitely recommend the ENC as…
Green Camps For Children: Raising Awareness For Clean Technology And Environment
by Jennifer Dawson, freelance contributor Exhaust from cars and vehicles is one of the major sources of air pollution with 75% of carbon monoxide emissions in the US collectively caused by motor vehicles (EPA). UNICEF says that nearly one in seven children experience health problems from the effects of air pollution. The air inside a car…
Fun and Useful Weather Concepts for Budding Meteorologists
by Jennifer Dawson, Freelance Contributor Most of the learning experiences that children have today are led by the use of technology (such as tablets or computers). Rather than going out into the world to study a subject, children and teens sit behind a device to read and watch media about a given topic. Studies have shown that…
Off to a Good Start: Designing Eco-Friendly Weddings on a Budget
by Jennifer Dawson, Freelance Contributor An estimated $72 billion is spent on 2.4 million weddings each year. The amount of waste wedding ceremonies generate is horrendous with more than a billion tonnes of trash and 66 tonnes of CO2 produced in just one day. More couples also spend time on planning an outstanding guest experience to…
Photography on the Trail
by Jorge Serrato, ENC Communications Intern Have you ever wanted to go hiking and capture the moments? Well now you can, by joining us here at the ENC where we will teach you everything you need to know about hiking on the wild trails of beautiful Orange County. Throughout the year we have monthly opportunities…
Immerse Your Spiritual Side In Eco-Therapy
by Jennifer Dawson, Freelance Contributor Numerous studies are consistently proving that being outside makes you healthier and in many cases, it also helps to make us happier people. Spending more time with nature provides us with many benefits, no matter what age we are, from positive nature experiences for young children right up to helping fight the everyday stresses that…
Explore, Adventure and Learn at ENC Spring Break Camp
by Jorge Serrato, ENC Communications Intern Let your children learn and explore the outdoors and everything nature has to offer. The Environmental Nature Center’s Spring Break Camp is an amazing opportunity for your children to learn and grow with the help of our amazing staff Naturalists. Our team will lead the campers through fun and…
Easy Campfire Recipes That Kids Love To Make
by Jennifer Dawson, Freelance Contributor As spring is almost here, it’s expected that children will be eager to head outdoors for some active and healthful fun. As kids benefit from spending time in nature, it is important to give them the opportunities to do so as often as possible for their health and well-being. One of…
Intern Abby hits 100 hours, has big future plans
by Valerie Bain, Animal Care Manager Abby Sweetser started volunteering with us as part of our Animal Care Internship Program in October of 2016 and has already completed the 100 service hours for her high school requirement, yet she continues to give us her Saturday mornings. She attends Newport Harbor High School & joined us…
Animal Care Interns help the ENC and learn vital skills
by Jorge Serrato, ENC Communications Intern There are many learning opportunities here at ENC and if you are an animal lover like our new wonderful animal care interns you might be interested in learning how they were able to land a spot working side by side with our animal care expert Valerie Bain. Christine and…
Kids age 4 to 18 — Express Your Unique Self
If you’re between 4 and 18, you’re invited to express your experiences, encounters and feelings about nature in the diverse ecosystems of California for the ENC’s 7th Annual Youth Art Showcase. This is your chance to be “uniquely you” through your imagination and whatever images you choose. Any art medium except film is accepted (photography is…
Keeping Warm on Your Next Camping Trip
Keeping Warm on Your Next Camping Trip by Jennifer Dawson, Freelance Contributor Outdoor camping can be chilly business, even during summer months. It’s important that campers properly prepare themselves for dropping temperatures at night so that they can avoid exposure to conditions that could lead to freezing injuries. Here are some tips on how to make sure…