Invasive non-native organisms are one of the greatest threats to natural ecosystems. They can displace native plant and animal species and degrade our state’s unique and diverse biological resources. California is home to more plant species than anywhere else in the United States. In fact, California is considered a biodiversity hotspot, an area with a large number of endemic species — those found nowhere else on the planet. California is home to 6,578 plant taxa, 2295 of which are endemic. 2422 of the plants species found in California are rare or endangered. You can do your part to help preserve our environment with the addition of locally native plants to your garden. If you live in Orange County there are over 800 species of plants…

While part of the country is dealing with record-breaking winters, California is too. It’s true, we are officially in a drought. The last time California was in a drought like this was … well actually they’re saying this is our driest year on record. Governor Jerry Brown has officially announced this drought as an EMERGENCY. In doing so, he asked Californians to take action. Reducing the amount of water used daily is an important way to help. One way to do this is by watering our yards less. Native plants can help! You can keep your yard looking nice and save money, save water and save on landscape maintenance. Native plants showcase color throughout the year, draw birds, butterflies and reduce pesticide use. Native plants…

Holiday gift packaging got you down?  Don’t know what to do with all of that Styrofoam packing material?  Waste for Waves has it covered! Waste for Waves uses donated Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam that cannot be recycled, and turns it into surfboard blanks and other “eco-friendlier” surfing products. The process is simple. Any expanded polystyrene foam used to protect boxed items (like toys, electronics, etc.) can be used to make surfboards. The EPS only needs to be clean and white. The foam is collected and reprocessed, then used to make recycled surfboard blanks.  Thank you, Waste for Waves, for reducing the trash going into our landfills and oceans! The bins can be found at participating surf shops found across California. To find the list of…

Ditch the disposable water bottle habit! Instead, drink clean tap water from a reusable bottle. It may seem insignificant, but ultimately it will benefit you and our environment.  Here are some reasons why replacing disposable bottles is a great idea: Tap water is just as safe, if not safer, than bottled water. The water that flows from your faucet has more stringent federal safety regulations than bottled water. Only 30–40% of bottled water sold across state lines are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On average, the FDA sends inspectors to bottling plants once every two to three years. Reusable bottles are more convenient than single-use water bottles. Reusable bottles can be taken anywhere and can be easily stored. When choosing a reusable bottle, look…

Patricia M. Gray is the featured local artist of the month at the ENC, and her work can be seen and purchased in the ENC Store. She has worked with many different kinds of materials and resources, including molten glass, self-taken photography, and tile art.  Gray thrives to be eco-friendly and uses recycled material to create art and jewelry that can be enjoyed by others. When Patricia M. Gray was young she always seemed to have a creative touch, and has always found ways to express it in her work whether it is painting watercolors, redecorating homes, creating gardens, or trying Mixed Media techniques.  One of her most successful styles of work is taking something and re-working it in a new way, which can be…

The ENC staff has been enjoying the much needed rain.   The recent rains make this the perfect time to plant native plants! Whether you plant for beautification, the joy of gardening, or stress relief you should definitely come over to our Winter Native Plant Sale on Saturday, 2-16-13 from 9AM to 3PM. Our friends at Kean Coffee in Newport Beach will be donating coffee for the event, to help keep you awake while you shop!  Thanks, Kean! This is a fantastic opportunity to pick up a few gorgeous specimens! A few of the fun flora we are featuring are the Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum), White Sage (Salvia apiana), Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), and Common Rush (Juncus patens) as well as many other beautiful plants.

Locally native plants attract locally native wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds, which depend on them for survival. These critters have been “growing up for thousands of years in this area, and feeding on the plants here,” said Mike Swingholm, the ENC’s Grounds Manager, “so you’ll have no trouble seeing them in your garden after bringing plants home from the sale this weekend!” This Saturday, February 16th from 9AM to 3PM you can learn all about these plants at the Environmental Nature Center’s Winter Plant Sale. The plant sale will focus on native plants that are flowering at this time of year. Native plants can help you save money on water, and add their colorful touch to a garden.  Planting natives will help you eliminate pesticide…