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.
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