Environmental Nature Center
Environmental Nature Center
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About this organization
Mission
The mission of the Environmental Nature Center is to provide quality education through hands-on experience 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.
About
DURING THE 18-19-PROGRAM YEAR 28,574 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN ENC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. ENC STAFF NATURALISTS PRESENTED 60,415 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION. SCHOOL TOURSTHERE ARE 13 UNIQUE SCHOOL TOUR PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL (PREK THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL). DURING ECOSYSTEM INVESTIGATORS, KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS OBSERVE, ANALYZE, AND INTERPRET PATTERNS BETWEEN WHAT PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND HUMANS NEED TO SURVIVE. IN CREATURE FEATURES, FIRST GRADE STUDENTS LEARN HOW ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS INFLUENCE HUMAN PROBLEM SOLVING. IN ECO-OBSERVERS, SECOND GRADE STUDENTS DISCOVER THE IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY AND LEARN THAT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF LIVING THINGS IN AN AREA, AND THEY EXIST IN DIFFERENT PLACES. IN ANIMAL ABILITIES, THIRD GRADE STUDENTS LEARN THAT ANIMALS HAVE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS AND LIFE CYCLES, AS WELL AS UNIQUE ABILITIES TO HELP THEM INTERACT WITH AND SURVIVE IN THEIR SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, TONGVA TRAIL IS A 3RD GRADE SOCIAL SCIENCE PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS LEARN THE LIFESTYLE OF THE LOCAL NATIVE AMERICANS. IN NATUREOLOGY FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS EXPLORE SCIENCE CAREERS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIMENTS. NATIVE AMERICAN ADVENTURE IS A 4TH GRADE SOCIAL SCIENCE PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLES OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICANS. IN ECOSYSTEM ED-VENTURE FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS PERFORM WATER QUALITY TESTS BETWEEN TWO AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS. IN ECOSYSTEM INQUISITOR, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS CONDUCT FIELD RESEARCH TO ASSESS THE ABIOTIC FACTORS IN TWO DIFFERENT CALIFORNIA PLANT COMMUNITIES. 7TH - 12TH GRADE FIELD TRIPS ARE OFFERED IN THE BUCK GULLY RESERVE, A NATURAL, COASTAL CANYON IN NEWPORT BEACH, THROUGH OUR NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH. THE PROGRAM CALLED "SCIENCE CAREER EXCURSION" PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH EXPOSURE TO A VARIETY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CAREERS IN BOTANY, GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, ENTOMOLOGY, AND ORNITHOLOGY. 13,554 STUDENTS IN GRADES PRE-K-12 PARTICIPATED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.TRAVELING NATURALIST THIS PROGRAM OFFERS SCIENCE AND SOCIAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTION AT LOCAL SCHOOLS. 325 TRAVELING NATURALIST PROGRAMS OCCURRED DURING THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR, REACHING 11,004 STUDENTS.SCOUT TOURSTHESE PROGRAMS HAVE SPECIFIC CURRICULUM TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF MANY COMMUNITY GROUPS INCLUDING BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, CAMPFIRE BOYS & GIRLS, AND YMCA INDIAN PROGRAMS. 998 SCOUTS VISITED THE ENC DURING THE 2018-19 PROGRAM YEAR.COMMUNITY PROGRAMSWE HAVE CONTINUED TO OFFER OUR TINY NATURALISTS SERIES SEASONALLY, WHICH INTRODUCES BABIES TO THE OUTDOORS AND CONNECTS NEW PARENTS TO THE ENC AND NATURE PRESCHOOL. THE ADDITION OF MINI NATURALISTS WAS A GREAT CHANGE AS WELL - NOW PROVIDING A NEEDED SERVICE TO FAMILIES WHO NEED PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AGED 1-3. IN THE 18-19 YEAR, 733 COMMUNITY MEMBERS VISITED THE CENTER FOR PROGRAMS. THESE INCLUDED THE TEACHERS NIGHT OUT SERIES, HUMMINGBIRD PARENTING CLASSES, AND MORE. TEAMBUILDING WORKSHOPSEDUCATION DIRECTOR MINDY SCHWARTZ BEGAN OFFERING TEAM-BUILDING WORKSHOPS THIS YEAR TO SCHOOL FACULTIES, CORPORATE GROUPS, AND NONPROFITS. THIS KIND OF WORKSHOP TAKES PARTICIPANTS OUTSIDE FOR GAMES AND 'CHALLENGES' THAT GET EVERYONE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. THE FOCUS OF THESE ACTIVITIES IS HONING COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP STYLES SO THAT THE TEAM CAN FUNCTION MORE COHESIVELY. NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF GROUP IT IS, ALL CAN BENEFIT FROM THE TAKE-AWAY MESSAGES OF SUCH A WORKSHOP.STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMSSTUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR DURING SCHOOL BREAKS, AFTER SCHOOL OR DURING THE SUMMER (WINTER CAMP, PRESIDENT'S WEEK CAMP AND SPRING BREAK CAMP). THE CURRICULUM IS SCIENCE OR ART BASED. 994 CHILDREN VISITED THE ENC DURING THE 2018-19 PROGRAM YEAR TO ENJOY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS. SUMMER NATURE CAMPEIGHT 1-WEEK SESSIONS OF NATURE ADVENTURE CAMP FOR CAMPERS AGE 3 THROUGH 3RD GRADE WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AT THE ENC. "LITTLE NATURALIST CAMP" FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS WAS OFFERED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SUMMER 2019. NATURE ADVENTURE CAMP WAS PRESENTED ON SITE TO CAMPERS ENTERING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 3RD GRADE. THANKS TO OUR NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, SCIENCE EXPLORERS CAMP FOR CAMPERS IN 4TH THROUGH 6TH GRADE WAS STAGED FOR A THIRD YEAR AT THE BACK BAY SCIENCE CENTER, A 13,000 SQUARE FOOT STATE-OF-THE-ART TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITY ON SHELLMAKER ISLAND WITHIN THE UPPER NEWPORT BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE.2019 SUMMER ENROLLMENT ONCE AGAIN EXCEEDED THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S NUMBERS WITH 904 CAMPERS (LAST SUMMER THERE WERE 854 CAMPERS). WHILE LITTLE NATURALIST CAMP NUMBERS HELPED THAT TOTAL A LOT (288 CAMPERS), NATURE ADVENTURE (K 3RD GRADE) CAMP HAD 616 CAMPERS.BIRTHDAY PARTIESBIRTHDAY PARTIES INCLUDE A TOUR OF THE CENTER, INTERACTIONS WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL ANIMALS, AND A SCAVENGER HUNT. 472 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN 30 BIRTHDAY PARTIES DURING THE 2018-19 PROGRAM YEAR.SERVICE LEARNINGVOLUNTEERS CONTINUED TO PLAY AN ENORMOUS PART IN MAKING THE ENC SUCCESSFUL IN ITS MISSION TO PROVIDE HANDS ON EXPERIENCE WITH NATURE. THIS YEAR WE BROKE 10,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS, BUT WHAT MAKES THAT EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE IS THAT WE DID IT WITH FEWER VOLUNTEERS THAN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THIS MEANS THAT THE INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERING ARE TRULY EXPERIENCING A "SERVICE LEARNING" SITUATION, GETTING SO MUCH MORE VALUE OUT OF VOLUNTEERING THAN IF THEY WERE SIMPLY "ONE TIME" VOLUNTEERS. THEIR REPEAT EXPOSURE HELPS THEM GAIN VALUABLE SKILLS AND WORK EXPERIENCE AND CONNECTS THEM TO THE ENC'S MISSION TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH NATURE. BY SPENDING MORE TIME HERE THEY ARE ALSO MORE VALUABLE TO THE CENTER BECAUSE ONCE TRAINED THEY REQUIRE LESS SUPERVISION AND CAN PERFORM BENEFICIAL TASKS WHILE FEELING LIKE PART OF OUR TEAM AND HELPING THEIR COMMUNITY.ADULT VOLUNTEERS246 ADULT VOLUNTEERS GAVE 3,816 HOURS OF THEIR TIME IN 2018-19. MUSEUM DOCENTS PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS. THEY STAFF THE FRONT DESK, GREET VISITORS, AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AT THE ENC'S STATE-OF-THE-ART LEARNING FACILITY. DOCENTS STAFF THE FRONT DESK NEARLY 100% OF THE TIME. THIS YEAR 10 MUSEUM DOCENTS VOLUNTEERED 1,570 HOURS. OUR ADULT INTERNS ALSO PUT IN OVER 1,200 HOURS THIS YEAR, HELPING WITH ADMIN, EVENT PLANNING, OUTREACH, RETAIL, COMMUNICATIONS, HORTICULTURE AND ANIMAL CARE.STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS493 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS GAVE 6,630 HOURS OF THEIR TIME IN 2017-18. 72 OF THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WERE LEADERS IN TRAINING, WHO ASSIST WITH OUR NATURE CAMPS DURING WINTER, PRESIDENTS WEEK, SPRING AND SUMMER BREAKS. THEY VOLUNTEERED 3,923 HOURS. STUDENT INTERNS, PRIMARILY ANIMAL CARE INTERNS, PUT IN 192 HOURS. TWO EAGLE SCOUT PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED, FOR A TOTAL OF 220 HOURS.2018-19 GOALS:1. DEVELOP ON-SITE PROGRAM ENTITLED SENSORY JOURNEY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS BY JUNE 2019.2. INCREASE MUSEUM DOCENT NUMBERS WITH THE GOAL OF HAVING THE FRONT DESK STAFFED AT ALL TIMES.3. RECRUIT ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER DOCENTS AND INTERNS TO ASSIST WITH VISITOR RELATIONS, EVENT PLANNING, FUND DEVELOPMENT, ETC.4. THE ENC WILL OPEN OUR COMMUNITY'S FIRST NATURE PRESCHOOL IN 2019. THE GOAL IS TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN AUGUST 2019 AND ENROLL 72 STUDENTS TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 2019.5. ACHIEVE PLATINUM CERTIFICATION FOR THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL'S NET ZERO WASTE TRUE PROGRAM BY SEPTEMBER 2019. LONG TERM GOALS:1. PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TO EXPAND THE CENTER'S EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS.2. AS WE ADVANCE THROUGH OUR 5TH DECADE OF PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, WE ARE MAKING A DEDICATED COMMITMENT TO RECONNECT CHILDREN TO OUR NATURAL WORLD. 3. INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN OUR SERVICE LEARNING AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS AT THE ENC. SERVICE LEARNING IS A TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGY THAT INTEGRATES MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH INSTRUCTION AND REFLECTION TO ENRICH THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE. IT ENCOURAGES CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AS IT STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES.
Interesting data from their 2020 990 filing
The filing documents outline the non-profit's mission as “To provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature.”.
When outlining the tasks it performs, they were referred to as: “To provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature.”.
- The non-profit's reported state of operation is CA as per legal requirements.
- The filing reveals that the address of the non-profit in 2020 is 1601 E 16TH STREET, NEWPORT BEACH, CA, 92663.
- As of 2020, the non-profit has 27 employees reported on their 990 form.
- Is not a private foundation.
- Expenses are between $500,000 and $1,000,000+.
- Revenue is greater than $1,000,000.
- Revenue less expenses is $83,318.
- The organization has 12 independent voting members.
- The organization was formed in 1972.
- The organization pays $633,899 in salary, compensation, and benefits to its employees.
- The organization pays $90,858 in fundraising expenses.
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