A celebration of (and in) progress

VIC LEIPZIG AND LOU MURRAY

The air crackles with excitement these days at the Shipley Nature

Center in Central Park. A sense of urgency drives volunteers to work

longer and longer hours in preparation for the big Celebration of

Progress open house event on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Friends of Shipley Nature Center have made a tremendous amount

of progress. Both the interpretive building and the 18 acres of

habitat that surround it have been greatly improved. Credit for the

infrastructure improvements goes to local labor unions that have

donated labor and materials.

The Painters Union transformed the dingy tan and brown ceiling

into a sky blue canopy. The Carpet Layers Union laid beautiful

blue-gray carpet squares in the back exhibit room. The Electricians

Union, Briggs Electric and Rhino Electric donated more than $10,000

worth of track lighting, security lighting, and various other

electrical upgrades.

The Ironworkers Union is installing a new decorative wrought iron

gate to replace the rusted and warped chain link gate topped with

ugly barbed wire. No one will miss that hideous old gate, especially

when they see the decorative wrought iron trees, cattails, birds and

animals that will adorn the new gate. This metal work of art will be

supported by massive stone and stucco columns, compliments of the

Stone Masons and Brick Layers Unions, and will provide a majestic new

entryway for the nature center.

Planning Commissioner Steve Ray is the wunderkind who arranged for

all of these donated improvements. Without Steve’s help, Shipley

would still be the poor stepsister to the luxurious Sports Complex on

the other side of Goldenwest Street.

Two sheds are going up in the newly constructed Conservation

Education Area at Shipley and the native plant nursery is well

underway. The concrete foundations for the sheds were poured last

weekend by the Concrete Workers Union. Using a grant from Rainbow

Disposal, the Friends purchased a variety of composting and worm

culture units to show the public how they can turn household kitchen

waste and green yard waste into useful compost. The worms have

arrived and are being cared for by volunteers until the Friends can

find a “worm wrangler” to take over the job. The school kids are

going to love handling those worms on tours this fall!

The labor unions aren’t the only ones contributing to the upgrades

at Shipley. A cadre of local artists is slaving away to finish their

individual projects before September 18.

Shari Engel has completed an incredible oak tree sculpture on the

lobby wall. Many months ago, she saw the beautiful red-tailed hawks,

great horned owls and barn owl mounted on a faded yellow wall in the

lobby. She decided that the birds should be in a tree, so she built

one out of taxidermy glop. (That’s a technical term that shows how

little we know about the technique that she used to build this

amazing life-sized oak tree on the lobby wall.)

Juana Mueller hand-made lovely fabric oak leaves and acorns that

will grace the Giving Tree in the lobby. For a donation of $25, $50

or $100, donors may buy an oak leaf to hang on the tree, or an acorn

for $500 or $1,000.

Another artist, Maricel Del Rosario, saw the oak tree taking shape

and volunteered to paint a mural of sky, grass, flowers and

butterflies behind it. After months of labor, she is now painting the

last few butterflies.

With the oak tree project completed, Shari turned to building a

wildlife diorama that will simulate the banks of a pond, with animals

coming down to the pond to drink. The most intricate part is the

underground component. As people walk by, motion sensors will light

up underground burrows to reveal animals living inside. She hopes to

have part of the diorama completed by the 18th.

Riverside artist John Klure built wooden pedestals for the

saber-toothed cat skull and ancient bison skull that will grace the

lobby. The saber-toothed cat skull is a reproduction, but the 15,000

year-old ancient bison skull is genuine. It was found during

construction of the toll road and is on permanent loan from LSA

Associates. Most people are amazed to discover that these animals

lived here along with Columbian mammoths, dire wolves and many other

Ice Age beasts. Shan Ray is painting four art panels that will depict

how Orange County looked during the Ice Ages.

With Vic’s help, I’m researching and writing the text for our

“Changing Landscape” display panels, plus finding suitable

illustrations. Noted Ice Age artists Mark Hallett and Dorothy Norton

have given us permission to use images of their paintings of Ice Age

mammals. Graphics artist Terry Houseworth is doing the layout and LSA

Associates is printing the three-foot by six-foot panels. Planning

Commissioner Tom Livengood is hanging the panels as fast as we

complete them. Two are finished with five to go.

Sunday, Vic and I put the finishing touches on the mammal fur

interactive display board. Monday, we met with Jan Smith at her new

Wild Birds Unlimited store to discuss the ecology interpretive boards

on which we’re collaborating.

We don’t have room to include everything that is happening at

Shipley. You’ll just have to come see for yourself. But don’t expect

the job to be finished. This is a Celebration of Progress for a group

that is less than two years into a five-year master plan. Still, we

think you’ll be impressed.

* VIC LEIPZIG and LOU MURRAY are Huntington Beach residents and

environmentalists. They can be reached at vicleipzig@aol.com.