The Environmental Nature Center, known simply to thousands of visiting students through the years as "The ENC", is 3.5 acres of what was once a litter-filled gully behind Newport Harbor High School. Today, it is a fascinating combination of 15 California native plant communities (ranging from a desert, to an oak woodland, to a fresh water marsh, to a redwood forest), wildlife habitats and walking trails. For over 35 years, the ENC has been shaped and caressed into a landscape for learning, a sanctuary from life's pressures and a place of preservation and instruction. Serving over 16,000 students and welcoming thousands of visitors annually, the ENC is recognized as a leader in education providing opportunities for increasing our community's knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
The ENC is a non-profit 501(c)-3 public benefit corporation. It relies on funding provided by individuals (through both memberships and gifts), corporate contributions, educational awards and operational grants. The Center is administered by a small, hard-working staff under the policy guidance of a volunteer board of directors comprised of dedicated community leaders committed to the goals of the ENC. In addition, the Center depends on an army of dedicated volunteers to run programs, raise funds and help maintain the plant communities.
The vision of the ENC is to provide the educational resources in programs, buildings and grounds that will expand the reach of its mission "to provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature" and become the premier center for natural science education in Orange County.
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How to reach us: Phone: (949) 645-8489 Environmental Nature Center Send e-mail to: |
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Directions to the ENC
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