January 2009 Events at ENC

Click below to quickly find a program:
Programs for Children
Programs for Adults
Programs for Families
Click here for upcoming 2009 events.

Programs for Children

Yoga works on the body and is suitable for children of all ages and physical abilities. It promotes strength and flexibility as well as good posture. It gives children tools for relaxation, concentration and helps them learn to be quiet and still. Most importantly, it is a gentle, noncompetitive form of movement that all children can enjoy.
Instruction will be provided by ENC Naturalist Jeanine Fletcher, who has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She has studied under a variety of different styles and schools of yoga. Her focus will be on the “flow” style, which is fun and casual and does not seek to compare students to one another. Jeanine will tie yoga and Nature together in hopes of building an appreciation of both along with a sense of connectivity to all.
Comfortable, loose and/or stretchy clothing is required for freedom of movement, as well as good walking shoes for short yoga hikes through our beautiful and serene Nature Center. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel.

Students age 7-12 are invited to visit the ENC for weekly workshops in Nature. Students will become archeologists and travel back in time to learn about the tools, trade, and customs of the Native Americans. Along the trail students see, touch, and smell the plants used centuries ago by our local indigenous peoples. They make string out of plants, use “rabbit sticks” to “hunt”, perform music using authentic instruments, make “money” using pump drills, and play authentic Native American games. Using a mortar and pestle, the students grind acorns and “boil water” to leach them. They practice making “fire” using fire drills, and practice weaving baskets and mats. Parents remain with students at all times (unless arrangements have been made with the instructor). This workshop will be limited to 15 students. Cost: $30 per participating student. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP.

Students age 8-12 are invited to visit the ENC for weekly workshops in Nature. Each week students will conduct science experiments focusing on a specific theme, like water, vacuums, and more! On the last class, students (as individuals or in a small group) will present their own “science fair style” experiment. Parents remain with students at all times (unless arrangements have been made with the instructor). This workshop will be limited to 15 students. Cost: $30 per participating student. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP.

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Programs for Adults

Join leaders from the Consciousness Center of Orange County for a meditation experience right here at the ENC! The group meets at 4:00 PM in the Center’s lobby. Bring a mat or towel to sit on if you wish. Remember to dress warm and comfortable. Reservations are not necessary, but call 949-645-8489 if weather is a concern. There is no charge, but donations are always appreciated.

Come learn about the Environmental Nature Center and find out how rewarding volunteering here can be. Docents staff the front desk, greet visitors, and provide information at the ENC’s new state-of-the-art learning facility. Training includes an overview of frequently asked questions, a description of the new building’s sustainability features, and a brief narrative of the ENC’s history and current programs. Docents will view a 1-hour presentation, tour the ENC building and grounds, and learn about the phone system. Refreshments will be provided!
Docents staff the front desk on Saturdays from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM or from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Weekday docents are also needed, and we are happy to be flexible with your schedule. Call 949-645-8489 or email to RSVP.

Take a walk with ENC founder, Robert House and learn about the plant communities of California while enjoying the beauty of the ENC. This event is free. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Bring a sack lunch.

Join us for a tour of the ENC’s new “Green Building” - the first Platinum LEED Building in Orange County! The tour will begin with a short presentation describing the green building techniques that went into development of the ENC’s new building and the reasons behind the incorporation of each green feature. Participants will learn about ways to make their homes and businesses more environmentally friendly and how they can incorporate renewable energy. Enjoy a “behind the scenes” tour of the ENC’s new green building - inside and out - to see the sustainable features and materials. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited.

• The history of energy sources and solar PV from the 1960’s to present
• The many benefits of solar electricity and its impact on the environment.
• How the technology works
• A breakdown of the solar incentives available today. Federal Tax Credits and State rebates and how they affect the financial savings and ROI associated with solar installations.
• A walk through of what happens once you’ve decided you want to incorporate solar onto your property.
• How to pick a solar integrator/provider once you’re ready to go solar.
• Question and Answer section for anything you need clarification on or feel we didn’t cover.

ENC Green Lecture: Wanted Dead
Januar 28, 2009, 7:00 PM

But they’re only plants, right? Wrong! Nationwide, invasive non-native plants cost us an estimated $33 billion per year. ENC Naturalist Leslie Helliwell will tell us why non-native plants are such a problem - how they displace native plants and wildlife, increase wildfire and flood danger, consume valuable water, and degrade recreational opportunities. We’ll learn where these plants came from, why they were brought here, and what we can do to protect our precious wildlands. Suggested donation: $5. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP.

Programs for Families

Join us at the ENC for a walk under the first Full Moon of 2009, the “Full Wolf Moon.” Amid the cold of midwinter, wolf packs once howled hungrily outside Native American villages. Join ENC Naturalist Leslie Helliwell to learn all about the Full Moon and the mysterious legends associated with it. Dress warmly. Coffee will be provided, but bring your own mug. Flashlights are discouraged. Cost is $5 per participant. Call 949-645-8489 for reservations, space is limited.

Many cultures tell stories about the stars and their meanings. Join ENC Naturalist Leslie Helliwell on the darkest night of the month under the New Moon to learn to identify some of the major constellations and enjoy the tales that the Greek and Native American storytellers told as we hike under the stars. This event is free for members, and $5/ participant for non-members. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP.

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