It was always my intention to establish the Environmental Nature Center as a natural example of real California, which as we all know, is one of the most unique places in our world. Not only do we have the lowest and highest elevations in the United States, but also our extensive relationship to the ocean. However, it is plant life in the oceans and on land that produce our necessary oxygen and food. In Science we call this PHOTOSYNTHESIS in plants and RESPIRATION in animals, which are the natural life cycles within our world. Further, it becomes the production of oxygen and carbon dioxide along with water that maintains our life as well as the life of plants and other animals. This is unique to…
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Wetlands are Wonderful!
Wetlands are areas where water is present at or near the surface of the ground. They are also entirely covered by water for at least part of the year. There are two main types of wetlands: coastal wetlands and inland wetlands. Coastal wetlands are near the ocean while inlands wetlands are normally near rivers or lakes. Wetlands are in many environments and are on every continent except Antarctica. They vary in size and can be found along coasts and inland. Some wetlands are full of trees while some are grasslands or are full of spongy mosses. Wetlands are important for many reasons. They provide habitat for many endangered plants and animals, and improve water quality. In addition they can store carbon and help reduce the…
What’s all that Noise About?
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…
Rain, rain stay today, freshen up our day hooray!
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…
The Birds are Back in Town!
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…
The Sea Level is Rising. Where do we go from here?
An Evening with Gary Griggs July 18, 2018 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Free and open to all. The Environmental Nature Center is hosting a talk featuring speaker Gary Griggs, Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His speciality is the study of diverse ways in which coastal hazards affect human settlement and the development of the coastal region. Come learn about how fragile the coastal zone, home to nearly half of the world’s population, really is, and how future sea-level rise is one of the greatest challenges facing human civilization. With about 150 million people around the world living within three-feet of high tide, and hundreds of millions more within a few more feet, increased coastal population is impacting this often-fragile…
Science Explorers Camp
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
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…
Dark, Wet & Cold? Go Outside!
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…
Learning about Light and Water
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…
Teacher’s Day Out features Project Learning Tree
By Lola Olvera, ENC Communications Intern It’s not only students who learn, but teachers as well. For our Teacher’s Day Out event at the ENC on April 1 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, we’re bringing you the wisdom of Project Learning Tree, an organization which provides educational workshops for teachers, parents and students. Its goal, which the ENC shares, is to encourage students to reconnect with nature and learn through helping the environment. Laura Councilor, a field naturalist with over 15 years of experience working with K-12 youth, will introduce teachers to Greenworks! and demonstrate how to integrate Project learning Tree activities into their lesson plans, with a focus on grades K-5. Teachers will receive PLT’s PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide, jampacked with 96…
The Way Things Were
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…