By Kathy Ochiai Where in Newport Beach can you enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres with a fine cocktail next to the sound of a rippling stream? That would be at the Environmental Nature Center, of course! On Saturday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. the ENC will be hosting its annual Summer Soiree. Guests will be supporting environmental education in their community while enjoying a meal catered by the award-winning Anaheim White House restaurant. Established in 1972, the ENC works to connect people with nature and to provide opportunities which create connections with the world outdoors for people of all ages. “Summer Soiree guests return year after year to support a cause they care for deeply,” said Lori Whalen, ENC Assistant Director. “Without our generous supporters, we…

by Jorge Serrato, ENC Communications Intern There are many learning opportunities here at ENC and if you are an animal lover like our new wonderful animal care interns you might be interested in learning how they were able to land a spot working side by side with our animal care expert Valerie Bain. Christine and Shelbe are both students at California State University, Fullerton studying Biology and Karis is in the 10th grade at Home School Campus of Costa Mesa. Christine enjoys the outdoors by hiking and fishing in her spare time, immersing herself in nature any chance she gets. Shelbe enjoys using her free time exploring all of the wonderful sights and scenes So-Cal has to offer. She is originally from Sacramento. Karis, the…

With education steering more and more towards learning through technology, it is crucial to be reminded why learning outside of a screen is beneficial for your child. Learning outside supports creativity and problem solving in children, enhances cognitive abilities, and improves academic performance. Studies in the US have shown strong progress in social studies, science, language arts, and math through nature based education programs. It also helps reduce anxious energy and promotes focus. Being outside is also a stress reliever, which is highly beneficial for students who are put under a tremendous amount of pressure these days. Forming relationships also comes more naturally to students in nature based education, for they are experiencing social interactions away from a screen. Along with helping mentally, nature based…

  By Alexandria Raeann Choy, ENC Communications Intern The ENC’s Teachers Night Out is coming up! On Friday, October 7, kindergarten through 3rd-grade teachers will take part in mini-workshops and activities to use in their own classrooms. Sama Wareh, the ENC’s Community Outreach Director, will also be demonstrating hands-on activities to connect Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards to art. This “night out” at the Nature Center will include food, drinks, and a campfire for the teachers to enjoy! “We’re staying open late so that educators will have a chance to experience the Nature Center with a group of colleagues and meet with fellow educators,” said ENC Education Director Lori Whalen. “They will have an opportunity to explore the Center and develop professionally…

For the school semester of spring 2016 I, Kyle Hardenburg, worked as a communications intern for the Environmental Nature Center. While this internship was a requirement for my college it quickly grew and evolved into one of the most important experiences in my college life. This internship showed me what it really meant to work in the real world and gave me a taste of the freedom and responsibilities one receives in a job that you cannot truly experience anywhere inside the schooling system. I loved every second I had in this experience, from learning all I can about the ins and outs of working the marketing/communications branch of a non-profit company to being given the creative freedom to experiment in the ways of video…

August Heart is unique, handmade jewelry designed by Diane Valeriano, a resident of Newport Beach. Diane has been designing jewelry and selling it since 2012. Her designs are one-of-a-kind stretch bracelets made with semi-precious stones, gems and metals such as silver, pewter, gold and silver-plate, brass and bronze. She has been selling her designs in the San Francisco area since 2012 to boutiques, salons, and spas. Since January 2015 she has been selling her one-of-a-kind bracelets to Fleur de Lys Boutique, located on 17th St. in Costa Mesa.  August Heart and 49 other talented artisans will be featured at the ENC’s Artisan Marketplace this Sunday on December 6, from 10 am – 3 pm ♥  $2 entry fee. The holidays are here and you have a chance be a positive…

The Environmental Nature Center has recently expanded our team. Valerie Bain is our new full-time Traveling Naturalist and Fiorella Gardella is our new Naturalist! Both are passionate about nature and education. Valerie and Fiorella are the perfect contribution to our team! Valerie started working for the ENC as a Summer Camp teacher in 2009 and we are so excited to have her working full-time as our new Traveling Naturalist. Don’t worry – she’ll still be a Nature Camp Teacher! Valerie will be traveling to schools across Orange County teaching children of all ages, from Pre-K to High School. She will engage students in hands-on games and activities that make learning about science and nature fun. Valerie has been teaching children for over 15 years and loves every…

On June 19, fathers and their sons will pack up their tents and sleeping bags and head to the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach to enjoy some one-on-one time or participate in group father/son activities, including crawdad catching, raft building, and fire starter kit making. The fee is $115 for each Father/Son pair and an extra $35 per additional son. RSVP and prepayment required at encenter.org “This camp-out threads outdoors skills with bonding,” said ENC Outreach Coordinator Sama Wareh. “Dads and their sons can pitch their tent anywhere in the Nature Center, enjoy a campfire dinner, and embark on an adventurous night hike.” Space is limited! Register HERE.