Environmental Nature Center

Volunteer Program

Each year, the Environmental Nature Center is energized by the dedication of more than 500 volunteers who play an essential role in advancing our mission. Adult volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually as Museum Docents, Event Volunteers, and Grounds Volunteers, supporting daily operations and public engagement. More than 400 student volunteers further this impact through service hours that support administrative work, habitat stewardship, and program preparation. ENC’s Leaders in Training (L.I.T.) program provides high school students with meaningful leadership opportunities during school breaks, where they support nature camps and enrichment programs while developing confidence, responsibility, and teamwork skills. Internships and service-learning opportunities offer hands-on experience in Education, Horticulture, and Marketing/Communications, allowing participants to build practical skills while contributing to real-world conservation and education efforts. Whether restoring habitat, supporting public programs, or assisting behind the scenes, ENC volunteers gain valuable experience while developing a deeper connection to nature and community service.

Professional Development Program

The Environmental Nature Center’s Professional Development Program empowers educators to bring science and nature learning to life. The program serves classroom teachers, outdoor educators, scout leaders, and homeschool parents through hands-on, inquiry-based workshops that strengthen confidence in environmental education. Participants gain practical tools, curriculum connections, and teaching strategies they can immediately apply in classrooms and outdoor settings. By equipping educators with skills and inspiration, ENC extends its impact far beyond its campuses—reaching thousands of students through transformed teaching practices.

Community Programs

Since 1977, the Environmental Nature Center has offered diverse community programs that connect people of all ages with nature through experiential learning. These programs serve preschoolers, families, scouts, homeschool students, and community members, fostering curiosity, confidence, and environmental awareness. ENC provides customized scouting programs aligned with Girl Scout and Cub Scout achievement requirements, as well as family-focused experiences such as moonlight hikes, early childhood programs, and homeschool enrichment. Our long-standing Nature Camp program has introduced generations of children to outdoor exploration through immersive, hands-on learning experiences that inspire lifelong connections to the natural world.

Traveling Naturalist Program: Bringing Nature to the Classroom

ENC’s Traveling Naturalist Program brings dynamic, standards-aligned environmental education directly to classrooms, reaching more than 6,000 students annually from preschool through high school. Lessons align with Next Generation Science Standards, California State Social Science Standards, and California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts. These interactive classroom visits spark curiosity and lay the groundwork for deeper engagement through follow-up field trips, family participation in community programs, and enrichment camps. Rather than serving as a one-time experience, the Traveling Naturalist Program acts as an entry point into a broader environmental education journey.

School Tour Programs: Discovery through Expereince

Each school year, more than 17,000 students visit the Environmental Nature Center for immersive, hands-on field trip experiences. Aligned with state education standards, these programs transform ENC’s gardens, trails, and habitats into living classrooms where science concepts come alive through direct observation and inquiry. ENC field trips serve as a cornerstone of a broader learning pathway. Teachers build on these experiences in the classroom, families return through community programs, and many students deepen their engagement through camps and youth leadership opportunities. These aren't ordinary field trips—they're immersive journeys where classroom concepts come alive through direct observation and hands-on discovery. Students don't just learn about nature; they experience it firsthand, making connections that textbooks alone cannot provide. Through these experiences, we create opportunities for every student to develop their own personal relationship with the natural world. Our field trips serve as cornerstones in a broader environmental education journey. When students return home, their teachers—equipped with skills from our Professional Development programs—help them connect their ENC experiences to classroom learning. Many students bring their families back for our Community Programs, diving deeper into environmental exploration. Others join our Enrichment Camps, building on their initial discoveries and strengthening their connection to nature.