Environmental Nature Center (ENC) volunteer Emma Kensington was awarded the ENC’s Volunteer of the Year Award yesterday at the Taste of Twilight member appreciation dinner. Despite the demands of normal teenage life, the 17-year-old Newport Beach resident volunteered over 300 hours at the ENC over the past three years. “I love to volunteer at the ENC because I love seeing children enjoy the learning process,” said Kensington. “I will never forget all of the amazing experiences I have had at the ENC, where I was inspired to be my own true self and person. I learned many skills and developed an amazing work ethic that will take me far in life.” Emma began her ENC volunteer career as a Junior Naturalist, helping young Nature Campers…
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ENC volunteer Alice Apkarian awarded Cox Conserves Heroes Award
Environmental Nature Center (ENC) volunteer Alice Apkarian was awarded the Cox Conserves Heroes Award yesterday at the CleanTech OC 2013 Conference and Expo. Alice’s first place win means that her nonprofit of choice — the Environmental Nature Center — receives $5,000, promotions through on-air Public Service Announcements, and 20 volunteer hours donated by Cox employees. Alice, an ENC Museum Docent and 2011 Volunteer of the Year, has been volunteering every week at the ENC since 2008 – over 200 hours each year. The Cox Conserves Heroes award was developed by the Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises to honor individuals who volunteer their time to create, preserve, enhance greenways, waterways and public areas. In addition to greeting visitors and answering their questions, Alice has…
ENC Volunteer Alice Apkarian named Cox Conserves Heroes Award finalist
GREAT NEWS! Environmental Nature Center (ENC) volunteer Alice Apkarian was named a Cox Conserves Heroes Award finalist! The award honors individuals who volunteer their time to create, preserve and enhance greenways, waterways and public areas. The finalists are profiled on the Cox Conserves Heroes website, where YOU vote online for your favorite. (We hope you’ll vote for Alice!) Alice, an ENC Museum Docent and 2011 Volunteer of the Year, has been volunteering every week at the ENC since 2008 – over 200 hours each year. The Cox Conserves Heroes award was developed by the Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises to honor individuals who volunteer their time to create, preserve, enhance greenways, waterways and public areas. In addition to greeting visitors and answering…
Corona del Mar High School football team Volunteers at ENC!
About 70 players from the Corona del Mar High School football team are taking time during summer training camp to volunteer 175 hours at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) Monday, July 8 through Thursday July 11 from 8:30am to 11:00am. The student athletes will be helping ENC Grounds Manager Mike Swingholm spread mulch on the Center’s trails. Volunteers created the ENC and continue to contribute a significant portion of the skills, effort and time required to run the Center. About 600 local high school students volunteer at the ENC each year, giving over 5500 hours of their time. Over 200 adults volunteer over 4000 hours each year as well. Under the direction of Head Coach Scott Meyer, the Corona del Mar High School Football Team…
How to find a Job in the Environmental Field
I am frequently asked one question by students of all ages – from grade school to college. “How do I find a job in the environmental field?” My answer has always been basically the same. Learn about what you love and what you are interested in, and work really hard. Environmental organizations and companies need employees with the same skills as any other. They need great writers, and people who are good at doing math. They need folks who are educated in marketing and PR, HR and accounting. But early this morning, as I lay in bed anxious to get up to do the work I am passionate about, I realized there is advice missing from the response I usually give. Here are seven ways…
Happy Thanksgiving from the ENC Family!
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at the ENC! We hope your Thanksgiving meal is delicious and sustainable, and that you make time to spend with family and friends in Nature. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to thank and celebrate the volunteers who make enormous contributions to the work we do each year, and without whom, the Environmental Nature Center would not exist. From our volunteer board of directors to museum docents, butterfly house docents, Junior Naturalists, interns and “habitat helpers”, volunteers enable the Environmental Nature Center to serve more than 33,000 people annually. During the last fiscal year, 760 people gave a total of 9958 hours! Tip to Help the Environment: Get Creative. Avoid using store bought decorations for your Thanksgiving feast and make your own….
’tis the Season to Volunteer!
The holiday season is upon us! It’s time to share your joy, take a moment to help others, and promote good will. The ENC is always accepting adult and youth volunteers, so come and enjoy meeting awesome people, taking in the beautiful habitats, or simply lend a helping hand for the holidays. Check our website for details on volunteer opportunities. – J. Sattari, ENC intern Tip to Help the Environment: Collect rainwater. You can use collected rainwater to water plants around the house. This can add up to great savings in your water bill.
Volunteer Spotlight: Dennis Campbell
Last night at the ENC’s annual Taste of Twilight member and volunteer appreciation dinner, the ENC staff presented Museum Docent Dennis Campbell with this year’s “Volunteer of the Year” Award. We have had the pleasure of working with Dennis since 2009… 1161 hours that we’ve recorded. Dennis volunteers his time at the front desk – welcoming visitors and helping us out on the phones. Without him we wouldn’t get NEARLY as much work done! Dennis enjoys seeing the kids play, explore, and have a good time. He started volunteering after his grandkids came to ENC camps, and he saw what a great place it was for families and the community. He loves to see the kids have so much fun while learning and being with…
Volunteer Spotlight: Marc Vukcevich
This Summer the ENC staff have had the pleasure of working with intern Marc Vukcevich. Marc, who’s been coming here since he was two, loves to direct his time and energy into making the ENC a more enjoyable place for everyone. He started volunteering for the ENC in June, and he will be entering Mater Dei High School this Fall as a freshman. Marc loves the outdoors and to him “there’s no better place than the ENC”. As a general intern, Marc helps whenever and wherever he can. Some days Marc will work as a Butterfly House Docent, or a Museum Docent. He even helps out with our Summer Nature Camps. Marc also works with the ENC’s live educational animals, so he may clean cages,…