Environmental Nature Center - ENC

The Environmental Nature Center is dedicated to pursuing zero waste and proud to announce that we have officially achieved True Certification for Zero Waste! Through our certification, both the ENC and ENC Nature Preschool campuses divert 97% of our waste from landfills.

We're thrilled to announce that the ENC is nominated for "Best Nature Center" in the 22nd Annual Readers' Choice Awards by OC Parenting! Your vote can help us shine even brighter and continue our mission to connect the community with nature.

🗳️ Vote now: Parenting OC's Readers' Choice Awards 2024 https://ow.ly/NoFK50SEER1

Today is the last day to vote, so don't miss your chance to show your support and help us win!

Thank you for your support! Let's show everyone why ENC is the best nature center! 🌿💚

Attention Preschool Teachers! 🌱 Ready to make a meaningful impact on young lives? ENC Nature Preschool is hiring! Our teachers create learning goals that encourage environmental awareness, empathy, and hands-on exploration. Join us to foster a foundation of learning through sensory experiences and skill-building. 🌍 Apply today and be part of our passionate team!

Happy ! 🌍 Let's take another step towards a plastic-free future together. This week, we're excited to feature the Mable Bamboo Toothbrush and R Planet Vegan Floss, perfect additions to your zero-waste routine.

The Mable bamboo toothbrush has a biodegradable handle made from sustainably harvested bamboo and features soft, BPA-free nylon bristles. It's designed to be compostable, making it an eco-friendly choice for your oral care routine. 🪥

The R Planet vegan floss is made from corn fiber and is completely plastic-free. It's coated with candelilla wax for a smooth glide. Plus, it comes in a reusable and recyclable glass container (we even sell the refills)! 🌿

Upgrade your bathroom to be plastic-free with these essentials, and visit the ENC's Nature's Gifts Stores, open Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM, to find these and other sustainable products. Support the ENC and join the movement to end plastic pollution! ♻️

Volunteer at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary on July 26! Assist the ENC with collecting native seed for propagation. An adult must accompany children younger than 14 years of age. Volunteers should each bring a re-usable water bottle filled with water. Closed toed shoes are required. Please clean shoes before coming to avoid the spread of w**d seed and pathogens. More info and registration at encenter.org

🌟 Vote for the ENC! 🌟

We're thrilled to announce that the ENC is nominated for "Best Nature Center" in the 22nd Annual Readers' Choice Awards by OC Parenting! Your vote can help us shine even brighter and continue our mission to connect the community with nature.

🗳️ Vote now: Parenting OC's Readers' Choice Awards 2024 https://ow.ly/UZf950SEEM0

Thank you for your support! Let's show everyone why ENC is the best nature center! 🌿💚

Whats better than drinking wine while supporting environmental education? Drinking wine along the trail at the Environmental Nature Center during our annual Wine Walk! Join us for a fabulous afternoon of wine tasting on August 10. Walk through the Center and stop at wine tasting stations to taste wines from several Wineries. Remember to wear trail appropriate shoes! Small bites will be provided. Live music will be provided by SideNote Keys/Bass near the top of our stream. End your walk by the firepit where you can savor Kean Coffee and dessert. Learn more and buy tickets at encenter.org

🌍📚 As we near the end of Planet Protectors week at ENC Nature Camp, our director Bo treated our campers to a special reading of one of his favorite books, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, using all of his funniest voices! 🌟

The Lorax is a perfect book for this week as it beautifully illustrates the importance of taking care of our planet and the impact of environmental conservation, echoing the values we're teaching at camp. 🌳💚

We just love reading stories at Camp and encouraging literacy. Nothing brings a story to life quite like a good book and a lot of enthusiasm! 📖✨

🌿 The ENC always asks vendors to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging or replace it with more sustainable materials whenever possible. To help celebrate , we want to share the wonderful response from a recent vendor who sells us fair trade items for our gift shops:

“Thanks for reaching out! I'm glad to hear that our products have been well received. I'm thrilled to hear about your commitment to sustainability, and I understand the importance. I believe we can accommodate your request, I'll ensure that your products are not shipped with plastic wrapping. Thank you for your support.”

It doesn’t hurt to ask! 🌍💚

🌟 Vote for the ENC! 🌟

We're thrilled to announce that the ENC is nominated for "Best Nature Center" in the 22nd Annual Readers' Choice Awards by OC Parenting! Your vote can help us shine even brighter and continue our mission to connect the community with nature.

🗳️ Vote now: Parenting OC's Readers' Choice Awards 2024 https://orangecountyparenting.secondstreetapp.com/Parenting-OCs-Readers-Choice-Awards-2024/gallery?group=481932

Thank you for your support! Let's show everyone why ENC is the best nature center! 🌿💚

Enjoy a Nature Bathing Walk on July 21! Join Naturalist and Certified Nature Therapy Guide Desiree Romero on a guided walk through the Environmental Nature Center and allow your natural sense of wonder to take you to a mindful space. Desiree will help you quiet your busy mind, connect with your senses, and even boost your immune system during this unique experience! More info and registration at encenter.org

Check out this blog article about Mel Letterman, a recent addition to the OC California Native Plant Society board. When asked how they became interested in native plants, Mel replied, "...My first memory of native plants is probably from a visit to the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach. That was where I learned about Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), and I still remember being amazed that this plant grew so near my house." https://ow.ly/RFyc50Sz5YE

Come check out the original watercolor paintings by local artist Susannah Kulikauskas on display in our Nature's Gifts shop at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach! 50% of the proceeds from the sale of Susannah's art goes to the ENC. We're open to all on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 3PM.

Here's what our guests found at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach in June! What will you find when you visit? We're open to all on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 3PM.

Happy ! 🎉🌍 Join the global movement to end plastic pollution. We're thrilled to share that the ENC has been awarded platinum Zero Waste certification, diverting 97% of our waste from the landfill! 🌱 One way we achieve this is by eliminating single-use plastics.

To celebrate our achievement and commemorate Plastic Free July, we’re showcasing items in our stores that promote a zero waste lifestyle. These fantastic reusable produce bags are made from renewable cellulose (wood) sourced from sustainably managed forests and are 100% biodegradable. 🌿

Visit the ENC's Nature's Gifts Stores, open Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. Support the ENC and purchase products that help you go plastic-free! ♻️

Our friends at the Cougar Conservancy are having an online auction! You can help them out by bidding now through July 14. Let's help them raise funds to support their ongoing efforts to help communities . Explore stunning photography, exclusive paintings, and experiences from some of your favorite organizations. https://app.bidbeacon.com/ #/auction/3XJ4Z9/details

Registration for ENC Tucker Summer Nature Camp is still open! Wilderness Adventure Camp at Tucker features immersive outdoor exploration, discovery, and wonder. Led by our expert educators, kids are invited to explore nature through hands-on discoveries and play. Learn more and register at encenter.campbrainregistration.com

There is still space in Wilderness Adventure Camp at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Session 5, 6 and 8! Learn more at encenter.org/camps/tucker

We had a fun week three at Tucker Camp! We focused on local habitats and studied food chains in Oak Woodlands and Chaparral. We got to keep an eye on a huge number of tadpoles in our stream and met a toad. We made a nature flag for Independence Day, we saw a speckled rattlesnake in the wild, and met one of our snake animal ambassadors. We still have some space in a few weeks for camp. Keep an eye on our webpage, encenter.org or our instagram at environmentalnaturecenter for more events coming up.
Hope to see you back at the ENC soon!

This summer our Naturalists created "Animal Ambassador Mailboxes" so Campers could write letters to ENC animals such as Waffle the tortoise and Pickles the toad. This is just one of the activities making this summer magical, all while promoting and enhancing literacy!