Corona del Mar High School student Julia Kerr recently interviewed our Director of Education Lori Whalen for a paper she’s doing on green building. Here it is: Julia: Where do you think green construction is going in the future? Lori: I think that the standards developed by the US Green Building Council – LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification – will become mandatory for new construction in things like recycling or sourcing a certain amount of materials locally. Hopefully, this will also include clean water and energy efficiency as well. Frankly, years and years down the line, I foresee a law stating that NO water can be used on landscaping at all, requiring homeowners and businesses to only use locally native plants that…

On top of complex schedules and busy lives, 11 ENC volunteers stood above the rest by receiving one of the most distinguished awards in community service: The President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award is given to individuals who dedicate a great deal of their time to the betterment of their organizations, and this year, ENC recognized the following for their tremendous work: Alice Apkarian (volunteer of the year; see picture on right), Dennis Campbell, Jeanne Fisher, Darlene Letnes, David Nishioka, Jamie Perlman, Ruth Wolpe, Weston Butera, Jordan Castleton, Ian Fries, and Mike Krasel. Whether its docenting the museum, cleaning up the butterfly house, or serving as junior naturalist, these volunteers put in countless hours to help ENC provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature….

ENC Lead Naturalist Meghan Lockwood likes science a lot.  The only thing that she likes more than science experiments?  Showing OTHER PEOPLE how to do science experiments! The ever popular Soda/Mentos Geyser. Naturalist Alex Lane plays with inertia. Everyone prepares their experiment. It’s not magic, it’s SCIENCE! ENC Traveling Naturalist Sama Wareh plays with fire and free radicals.  Don’t try this at home, we are professionals. Alex Lane is a professional, too. Summer Camp Teacher Dave Rector makes cornstarch goo. ENC Naturalist Jeanine Fletcher’s appreciates the subtle joys of slime. SCIENCE!

crafts Exploring the Butterfly houseThe view from the fire pitExamining peltsThe gift shopRecycle-o-Rama (and do-si-doing)Grillin!Henna artHennaNature’s GiftsNature’s GiftsFood boothCraftsCraftsNative plant salesExploring the butterfly houseGrill QueensFace paintingCraftsCraftsCraftsCraftsCraftsExploring the butterfly houseHennaExamining the peltsRecycle-o-RamaHennaThe food boothThe food boothStory timeFace paintingPop tab bracelets

ENC Board Members Jennifer Ensminger and Fran Bennett set up the raffle Music by the All Star Trio Creative Cuisine’s beautiful table setup Cocktails and music The most festively dressed gentleman ever. ENC Staff Director Bo Glover and his dance partner, daughter Gabby Guest Speaker A.G. Kawamura’s table A.G. Kawamura, local farmer and Secretary of Agriculture under Governor Schwarzenegger, discusses the importance of nature experiences in childhood.

\ Tying knots with Josh Making slime with Meghan Weaving baskets with Leslie Making “snow” with Meghan Making ice cream in a bag with Meghan Making shelters with Josh Making “tie dye” with Meghan Making talking sticks with Leslie Finding our way with Josh