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 pairs is variable and depends on availability of nest sites and population density; where population is large, even after a great many fights birds may end up nesting in view of one another, and some populations are semi-colonial. They mate for life with very low “divorce rates,” and pairs remain together throughout the year. Geese mate “assortatively,” larger birds choosing larger mates and smaller ones choosing smaller mates; in a…

by Brittney Gonzalez, ENC Communications Intern Many Southern Californians don’t see rain too often, unless it’s one of those years that we have a rainy winter. Of course our plants welcome all the rain, but not everyone appreciates it when it comes for a visit. Some are uncomfortable driving in the rain, and some don’t like to get wet and some are afraid of getting muddy. Others, who do welcome the rain, will opt for a cup of hot cocoa next to a nice warm fireplace indoors. One thing that we’re all forgetting is learning to embrace the rainy weather, and remembering that we can still go outside and take a walk through those puddles! Today’s visiting school did just this, and brought their kids…

by Mindy Schwartz, ENC Outreach Coordinator Harmonie Wooley didn’t always have an affinity for birds.  But four years ago, out of a desire to share a fun activity with her son, she signed the two of them up for falconry classes down in San Juan Capistrano.  From there she fell in love with birds of prey, and that’s where she heard about the OC Bird of Prey Center.  They were looking for volunteers, and she signed right up.  Three years later, she’s now a supervisor at OCBPC – overseeing the training of volunteers and raptor handling.  Luckily, the ENC had an opportunity to bring Harmonie on board as a naturalist, when she’s not working at OCBPC.  We are so happy to add Harmonie to our…

Calling all water-loving scientific 9 to11-year-old campers! It’s almost time for the Environmental Nature Center’s Science Explorers Camp located at the Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach. The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) offers eight 4-day camps during the summer, each with a different theme. During camp, you will canoe through estuary waters, interact with animals and enjoy snacks by the beautiful back bay. Go on wetland trail hikes, collect data and join in lab adventures as a hands-on scientist. Make new friends and create lots of great memories, too! One 4-day session of full-day nature camp (9AM-3PM) costs $405 for Newport Beach residents or $425 for non-residents. One 4-day session of half-day nature camp (9AM-1PM) costs $270 for Newport Beach residents or $290 for…

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 that you and your campmates stay safe, warm, and comfortable on your next outdoor excursion. Dress in Layers Dressing in layers allows you to prepare for any sort of weather conditions. When packing, include breathable, moisture-wicking clothing for your bottom layer to avoid any sweat buildup. Your middle layer should include clothing designed to insulate, preferably made of a material such as fleece or wool. The outer layer of your…

It is being revealed that children these days are spending little to no time outside. In fact, “Children spend less time outside each day than prison inmates do in the United States. Inmates are guaranteed two hours of outdoor time daily, whereas one in two children is outside for less than an hour. A recent survey of 12,000 parents in 10 countries, who have children aged five to 12, found that one-third of kids spend under 30 minutes outside each day” (www.treehugger.com). During the winter, this statistic gets even worse, and it does not need to. There are plenty of ways to get your class out of their desks and outside for some fun learning activities. Outdoor play is crucial for a child’s imagination and…

By Lola Olvera, ENC Communications Intern Learning doesn’t have to be boring. Whether you’re a teacher looking for a way to make the classroom more engaging or a parent wanting to show your children how they can help the environment, this toolkit is for you. The World Forum Foundation is focused on providing quality services, including education, for young children through the exploration and promotion of ideas from worldwide sources. Their online Connection Center allows participants to join in on discussions, hear about new projects, and access reading material and other resources. This toolkit, available in English, Spanish and Arabic, was put together with the help of educational and environmental groups across the globe. Here are just a few tips from the toolkit! For more…

By Lola Olvera, ENC Communications Intern Before shopping malls and highways, there were the Tongva, a group of indigenous people who resided where we live today. Here at the ENC, we’ve made it one of our priorities to educate the community about the culture that thrived here long ago. For decades we’ve encouraged the community to experience Tongva history, culture and legends with our two special programs. Now it’s your turn. Come experience some of the life ways of the Tongva on February 25 with our “The Way Things Were” program. Naturalist Kathy Wiedel will teach families and their children (3rd grade or older) how to make string for weaving and “hunt” with a rabbit stick. Participants will also enjoy a Tongva legend and play authentic instruments along with traditional…

By Lola Olvera, ENC Communications Intern More than half the children in this country – 13 million children – will not hear a bedtime story tonight. This concerning fact comes courtesy of ReadAloud.org, a decade-long, non-profit public awareness movement with a goal to have every child read aloud to by a parent or loved one for 15 minutes every day starting at birth. Reading or being read to at an early age prevents lags in children’s educational progress. In pursuing its goal, ReadAloud depends on partners in cities across the nation to rally grassroots support through local awareness efforts and community outreach. Now, the Environmental Nature Center is joining its ranks. “The response we’ve had at the local level has been amazing,” says ReadAloud.org Executive…

How do you look for one of the smallest birds in the world? How do you catch up with a bird whose wings flap so quickly it creates a humming sound we can hear? Naturalist Leslie Helliwell knows how-and will teach a group of curious individuals on February 4 as they take to the trails of the ENC on a search for hummingbirds and their nests. Participants can watch as the tiny colorful birds zip through the air, diving, hovering, and even flying backwards and side to side! Helliwell will share fun facts, such as how hummingbirds feed and use their energy, how they mate through displays of color and how important they are to pollinating a variety of local plants. Participants in our hummingbird…