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 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….
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…
Hello, Nature Families, ☺! We are missing you all so much at the Nature Center, sending big hugs & oh so much love your way! I would love to share a couple of my favorite bubble recipes & DIY Bubble Wands craft idea for you & your littles at home: HOMEMADE GIANT BUBBLE RECIPE: INGREDIENTS:…
What’s all that Noise About? by Chris Holland Canada Geese, Branta canadensis ORDER: Anseriformes FAMILY: Anatidae So, what’s all the noise about ! Our dear friends the Canada Goose is feeling the warmer temperatures and romance comes to mind (even in animals). During spring, pairs break out from flocks and begin defending territories. Spacing of these…
The Environmental Nature Center is closed to the public to keep our staff, volunteers and program participants safe. Please do not visit unless you are registered for a scheduled program. We’ve compiled a list of places that are currently open for you to explore, below! You can learn more about our scheduled programs HERE, and…
I am a sophomore at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. I was first inspired by my older brother to learn about climate change and the problems associated with harmful greenhouse gases. When I was 12, I attended a 3-day conference in Seattle sponsored by the Climate Reality Project where I learned that climate…
When I first walked through the gates of the Environmental Nature Center I was greeted with a breeze of fresh ocean air, the sound of birds chirping, and the laughter of children exploring the Nature Center and making memories. I was immediately taken back to my youth, hiking through the Sierra Nevada mountains with my…
Most children today spend significantly more time indoors than playing outside, but research has shown numerous benefits of playing in nature: 1. Nature play makes kids smarter. Spending time in nature improves children’s ability to focus and concentrate. Studies show that nature-based experiential education supports significant academic gains in social studies, science, language, arts and mathematics. Students in outdoor…
Research has shown that spending time in nature improves children’s awareness of their actions and surroundings. Advantages of heightened observation skills include being able to pay attention with full awareness, increased powers of description, and factors pertinent to creativity, such as frequency of ideas, innovation, and flexibility of thinking. Improving their observation skills allows children to…
My name is Rebecca Guzman, and I am currently an animal care intern at the Environmental Nature Center. I decided to volunteer here because it was the perfect opportunity to get myself involved with what I love: animals and nature. Aside from working with animals, I also get to meet people who have similar interests…
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is excited to announce a new sponsor, Earth Friendly Products, the maker of ECOS® plant-powered cleaners, who will be providing the ENC and the ENC Nature Preschool with a range of sustainable cleaning products to utilize at its facilities. Products include ECOS® all-purpose and bathroom cleaners, as well as hand…