A community treasure to be thankful for

Tony Petros

Leaves turning gold and red before dropping to the ground. A chill in

the air. Football games on television. Families gathering. Fabulous

aromas from the kitchen. There is so much to be thankful for and at

this time of year that we traditionally pause to reflect on our

bounty, it’s important to take notice of the many assets we enjoy in

our community.

We are fortunate to live in this beautiful coastal community,

enjoying its spectacular climate, superb community services,

outstanding educational institutions and incredible recreational

opportunities. We are also fortunate to live in a community with

visionaries.

Our community’s own Environmental Nature Center, a 3.5-acre

sanctuary, tucked in an elongated piece of landscape adjacent to

Newport Harbor High School, is an example of the vision seen 30 years

ago by a group of dedicated and determined science teachers and

student volunteers.

Once a litter-filled gully of excavated dirt from construction of

an Olympic-size swimming pool at the high school, it is now a

fascinating combination of 14 California native plant communities,

wildlife habitat and walking trails -- available for all to

experience and enjoy.

For over 30 years, the nature center has been shaped and caressed

into a landscape for learning, a sanctuary from life’s pressures and

a place of preservation and instruction. This year, more than 15,000

students and thousands of visitors have experienced its treasures,

helped maintain it, nurture it and learned from its resources.

Relying on funding provided by individuals, corporate gifts,

educational awards and operational grants, this not-for-profit

educational center offers numerous educational programs based on

natural science and Native American studies. Thousands of Orange

County students participate in Environmental Nature Center programs

each year, receiving more than 32,000 hours of instruction.

People have the opportunity through school tours, community group

tours, student enrichment programs, nature camps and numerous other

activities to experience native habitats first-hand. And as a result,

they can better understand nature’s complex systems, the balance of

nature on which we all depend and our responsibilities to our natural

world.

From that original vision seen 30 years ago, trees have grown, the

plant communities have matured and expanded, and the students have

learned. And, yet, as exciting as the center is today, the vision

continues.

Future plans call for a new, permanent building to complement and

reinforce the lessons taught outdoors. Our plans call for a design

that allows us to optimize teaching and learning opportunities. It is

a plan that will enhance the native plant communities and offer

expanded learning experiences for students and community neighbors

over the next 30 years.

This is the time of year to pause from our busy lives and

schedules and to thank those who had the original vision -- and the

army of volunteers -- who, over the past 30 years, have run the

programs, raised the funds and helped maintain the plant communities.

And it is also an appropriate time to encourage those involved today,

as well as those who we hope will become involved in the future, to

commit their vision, dedication and resources to maintain and enhance

the Environmental Nature Center -- a community jewel for all of us to

nurture and enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving.

* TONY PETROS is the president Environmental Nature Center board

of directors.