Environmental Nature Center

The mission of the Environmental Nature Center is to provide transformative experiences through connection with nature. Its vision is to provide equitable access and inspire all to protect the natural world by serving as our community’s leader in ecological responsibility, sustainable practices and environmental education.

In 1972, teachers, students, and community volunteers transformed an abandoned gully beside Newport Harbor High School into a vibrant environmental education center. Since then, the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) has become a 5-acre campus in Newport Beach, offering hands-on, environmental-based science education to over 51,000 people each year. The campus showcases 15 California native plant communities, walking trails, fossil specimen areas, a butterfly house, an amphitheater, and a Compost Learning Lab. Enhancing these outdoor spaces is the 8,500-square-foot Learning Center and Museum, the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certified building in Orange County when it opened in 2008—a testament to our enduring commitment to sustainable design. Each year, the ENC engages community members through diverse programs, including school field trips, Traveling Naturalist visits, nature camps, community events, and professional development workshops.

Furthering our mission, as a model for ecological responsibility, the ENC was recently awarded TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Platinum Certification by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), recognizing our outstanding zero waste performance. The ENC diverts over 97% or more of its waste from the landfill. Through sustainable waste management practices, the ENC prioritizes waste reduction, resource conservation, and public health benefits, continuing its leadership in sustainable practices.

Since opening in 2019, the ENC Nature Preschool—Orange County’s first nature-based preschool and also LEED Platinum certified—has served as a model in early childhood education, offering STEM and nature-based learning to 72 children daily. The ENC Nature Preschool additionally achieved Petal Certification from the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge, an ambitious and holistic green building performance program. This achievement places ENC Nature Preschool among only 54 projects worldwide to reach this level, and it is the first in Orange County and the third in Southern California.

The ENC’s reach expanded further in 2021 with the acquisition of Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, a 12-acre property in Modjeska Canyon with a natural history museum, trails, and bird observation areas. Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary enables us to extend field trips, nature camps, and community programs to even more people in the region.

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the ENC remains dedicated to environmental education, sustainable practices, and preserving natural spaces. For more information, call 949-645-8489 or visit www.ENCenter.org.

At the ENC, we believe that everyone has the potential to thrive sustainably on our planet. However, marginalized groups often lack access to nature while disproportionately bearing the burden of environmental challenges. By providing inclusive opportunities to connect with nature at both the ENC and ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, we foster a love and respect for our Earth, encouraging a deep appreciation for the delicate resources that support us. We’re working to create lasting, systemic change that benefits both people and the planet.

To assure a bright future - a radically new future - for all, a sustainability revolution is required. The ENC and ENC Nature Preschool are leading the way, preparing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will devise products and services that reduce our impact on the planet. Our students will become leaders who, rather than subsidizing damaging industries, will turn to sustainability as the sensible option. We are educating a generation focused on a new, sustainable measure of success that places our ecological footprint, well-being, life expectancy, and levels of happiness and equality over senseless growth at the expense of our environment.

Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to connect our community with nature through hands-on, immersive learning experiences. Our commitment to our mission inspires us to continuously develop creative, transformative educational experiences that deepen our students’ connection to the natural world.

The ENC Nature Preschool, which opened in 2019, now serves 72 children daily from diverse backgrounds, offering early childhood education rooted in nature-based and STEM learning. To ensure accessibility, we provide 50% scholarships to families in need, supporting a community-focused, inclusive educational model.

Each year, more than 24,500 students participate in ENC field trips and our Traveling Naturalist programs, experiencing the joy of nature discovery and science inquiry. Our programming extends to summer nature camps, where over 900 children immerse themselves in outdoor exploration, fostering lifelong curiosity and respect for the environment.

Through these enriching programs, we introduce and nurture a lasting relationship with nature, teaching children to recognize, care for, and respect the environment. Our students understand that a healthy planet is foundational to our health, economic stability, and the world’s capacity for rejuvenation, research, and ingenuity.

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is seeking funding to address critical needs and expand its impact on environmental education and conservation. Key priorities include:

1. Staff Expansion and Development:
• Hiring a dedicated Nature Center Manager to oversee the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Increasing staff compensation to retain skilled employees and attract top talent.

2. Infrastructure and Facility Improvements:
• Retiring the debt associated with building the ENC Nature Preschool.
• Constructing shade structures for the preschool to enhance outdoor learning experiences.
• Building a new, environmentally friendly museum/admin building at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Implementing habitat restoration projects at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary to protect biodiversity and enhance the visitor experience.

3. Program Expansion and Accessibility:
• Subsidizing Title I school programs to increase access for underserved students.
• Providing scholarships for families from underserved communities to participate in ENC programs.

By addressing these priorities, the ENC will be able to further its mission of connecting people with nature, inspiring environmental stewardship, and fostering a sustainable future.

The Environmental Nature Center serves a diverse population across Orange County and beyond, welcoming thousands of visitors annually. Our programs reach students from various socioeconomic backgrounds, including those from Title I schools. We are committed to providing equitable access to high-quality environmental education for all.

Since its founding in 1972, the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) has been dedicated to providing transformative nature-based experiences. Over the past five decades, the ENC has evolved into a leading environmental education organization, serving over 51,000 community members annually. Our programs range from school field trips and community workshops to nature camps and adult education courses.

As we continue to inspire and educate, we remain committed to our mission of fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. Join us in exploring the wonders of nature and supporting a sustainable future.

As the current Board Chair of the Environmental Nature Center (ENC), I'm proud to share our organization's commitment to environmental education and sustainability. For over 50 years, the ENC has been a cornerstone of our community, inspiring countless individuals through hands-on experiences with nature.

Our LEED Platinum-certified interpretive center stands as a testament to our dedication to sustainability. This cutting-edge facility, one of the first net-zero buildings in Southern California, provides a unique learning environment for visitors of all ages.

We're addressing the growing concern of nature deficit disorder by providing children with opportunities to connect with the natural world. The joy and wonder we witness in our young visitors, as they explore our trails and encounter diverse wildlife, is truly inspiring.

The ENC is not just a place; it's a movement. We're fostering a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who are equipped to protect our planet for future generations.