Environmental Nature Center Director Bo Glover receives ANCA Leadership Award for lifelong commitment to the profession Prestigious award announced as Environmental Nature Center breaks ground on community’s first Nature Preschool. The Environmental Nature Center’s Executive Director Bo Glover will receive the prestigious Leadership Award from the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA). ANCA promotes and supports best leadership and management practices for the nature and environmental learning center profession throughout North America, Asia and the Caribbean. The Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made a major contribution to the success of a nature center and who have made important contributions to the profession through support and mentoring of other nature center leaders. “ANCA is about promoting excellence in nature center management, so recognizing the very best…

by Lola Olvera, ENC Communications Intern The Environmental Nature Center’s beloved stream and pond are getting a makeover. Environmental Nature Center (ENC) staff and volunteers began the project by bringing out shovels and gloves and getting their hands dirty as they pitched in to help restore the Center’s 300-foot recycling stream. The winding body of water, which has not been fully restored since it was created in 1972, was beginning to show signs of deterioration, including cracks and a diminishing riverbank. Restoring the stream involves draining the system, cleaning out years of accumulated muck, resurfacing the entire streambed and pond, and then repositioning its rocks to make sure the waterfall tumbles the way we all remember. “We are so grateful to Alan Smith Pools for…

Welcome Aboard, Ali! Ali Aguarino has been working in science and outdoor education for almost 20 years. As the Facility Maintenance Manager, he is responsible for the protection and enhancement of the Environmental Nature Center’s grounds including the implementation of improvements and maintenance activities. He will also be teaching educational programs. Prior to working at the ENC, Ali was the Grounds Keeper and Naturalist for the Orange County Department of Education, where he also taught outdoor science education. Before moving to the US, Ali worked on the Island of Saipan as a Middle School Teacher. On the Island, Ali enjoyed exploring caves and WWII historical sites. Ali was born and raised in Manila, Philippines where he received his BS. He moved to California with his wife in 2000….

The Environmental Nature Center is seeking a  Summer Camp Teacher/Naturalist! The Camp Teacher/Naturalist is responsible for teaching outdoor environmental and social science education programs to children. TheCamp Teacher/Naturalist’s goals are to encourage students’ awareness and appreciation of the environment, broaden students’ knowledge of science concepts, and foster students’ commitment to the protection of the natural environment. Camp Teachers are also responsible for creating and implementing age and theme-appropriate curriculum for the sessions of camp they are scheduled to teach. We are looking for someone with a commitment to the mission, vision and core values of the Environmental Nature Center. Knowledge of California plant and animal life is highly desirable, but teaching experience is a must! Do you have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with…

Today we welcomed new Naturalist Chhay Liv to the ENC family! Chhay’s personal philosophy is that “learning is a lifelong process.  Learning can be fun.” He has a passion for teaching science in the areas of biology, geology, chemistry, and physics. “I have always been passionate about learning, and I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I found myself educating others in the areas of science, conservation, and other related topics,” said Chhay. Prior to working at the ENC, he earned the nickname “Chhay the Nature Guy” as a Naturalist at Oak Canyon Nature Center, a Science Educator at New Village Leadership Academy, and a Naturalist at Camp Titan at Cal State Fullerton where he majored in Biology with an emphasis in Biodiversity, Ecology, and…

Today we say farewell to Meghan Womack, the ENC’s Education Coordinator.  After five amazing years at the ENC, she is moving to Issaquah, Washington to start a family and begin a new career at Discover Elementary. Alex Lane, the ENC’s Lead Naturalist, will be joining us full time as our Education Coordinator following Meghan’s departure. Once in Washington, Meghan will be the sight manager for the before and after school programs at Discover Elementary.  Meghan’s family is also in Washington, and once settled in she plans to start a family of her own.  Her exciting transition is also bittersweet. “My ENC family has been a huge part of my life. My coworkers are just wonderful people. I will miss them and the program so much,…

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) staff are very proud to be hosting the 19th annual Summit of the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) from August 21-24.  ANCA Summits brings nature and environmental learning center administrators together for information sharing, mentoring, training, and professional networking.  Note:  The Center will be CLOSED to the public during the Summit. This year’s summit offers several targeted workshop tracks for specific areas of professional development, including planning, government, funds development, and non-profit governance.  Workshops are each presented by their own expert(s) who have had experience in the field that they will be presenting, and can provide a rich learning experience for the participants. ANCA Summits also offer a number of facilitated sessions, which, unlike traditional lectures or workshops, focus…

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) has purchased the property at 745 Dover Drive!  Our $10 million capital campaign to expand onto the adjacent 1.3 acre plot and build the community’s first nature preschool and nature play area is still in full swing. No one has a better use for this parcel of land than the ENC. For this reason, we did whatever was in our power to secure it for future generations. We had a short time to raise the funding necessary to purchase before years end and needed to borrow from our reserves in order to complete the deal. Now we need to replenish our reserves and much more.  We have done an amazing job raising 1.5 million during the campaign thus far, and…

Over the last 40 years, we have become an integral part of the Newport Beach community. We have seen children learn and grow as they spend quality time in nature. We have a lot to be proud of – and now we have something to be especially excited about! The ENC has an amazing opportunity to expand our role as educators in the community.  Today we are launching a $10 million capital campaign to purchase and improve the property at 745 Dover Drive, adjacent to the Center. The 1.3 acre property will soon become an extension of the ENC! Our vision is to expand our natural habitat, create a nature play area, and build our community’s first nature based pre-school. The ENC’s Nature Preschool will…

The ENC’s Lead Naturalist Meghan Lockwood was awarded the Environmental Educator of the Year award from the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education on Saturday at their Fall Conference. The award is for environmental educators who have contributed to the success of EE in the state, who lead by example. “When she walked into the Nature Center four years ago, I knew I wanted to hire her before the interview even started,” said ENC Director of Education Lori Whalen. “You know how you can just look at someone and KNOW they’re a great educator?” Meghan brings a wealth of experience to teaching children and leading Naturalists at the Center. Prior to working at the ENC, Meghan studied aboriginal culture and Tasmanian old growth forests in…

Today, our very own Executive Director Bo Glover is heading overseas! He will be traveling to the Beijing and Laohegou Preserves in China! Bo will visit Beijing Normal University, one of the oldest universities in China, where there are plans to build a new nature center. Bo will also be teaming up with representatives from the Nature Conservancy in the Sichuan Province – home of one of the last remaining Panda habitats in the world.   According to the Nature Conservancy, the Sichuan Project “…will be the prototype of an innovative new way of protecting land.” The Sichuan Project will benefit the environment as well as help the people of that area by creating new jobs. Earth Charter Communities is spearheading the consultation with each project….