Children from La Colonia Anaheim Independencia Community...

Children from La Colonia Anaheim Independencia Community Family

Resource Center hiked a three-mile loop trail Sunday at Crystal Cove

State Park. The event was designed to allow inner-city youth to

experience nature firsthand.

Naturalist Lori Whalen from the Environmental Nature Center guided

children through the park’s El Moro Canyon, explained the adaptations

of plants and animals living within the Coastal Sage Scrub and

Riparian ecosystems and pointed out animal evidence in tracks, scat,

fur, feathers and habitats.

The junior ecologists also determined what certain animals eat,

learned about humans’ effect on the ecosystem and discussed ways to

help protect wildlife.

Volunteers with community outreach Inner City Outings provide

low-income, inner-city youths with trips to wilderness areas for

naturalist-led hikes.

La Colonia Anaheim Independencia helps families and children with

social and health services such as building family strengths and

changing communities.