ENC Nature Preschool

ENC Nature Preschool The ENC Nature Preschool provides education and nature exploration for young children of Orange Coun

Nature preschools housed in environmental education centers present one way to offer positive nature experiences to young children. They provide young children with important opportunities to become familiar with the natural world by playing – and learning – while surrounded by and exploring nature. Nature Preschools provide a safe, stimulating environment where children can reach their full poten

tial physically, emotionally, socially and academically. Statistics show that outdoor play increases fitness and builds active, healthy bodies. Outdoor environments are important to children’s development to independence and autonomy. Children who spend time in nature have better language skills and more self-discipline. Spending time in the open air and learning outside increases students’ ability to think both critically and creatively.

A Year of Connection, Growth & Stewardship 🌿What does a year of connecting people with nature look like at ENC?During th...
09/05/2026

A Year of Connection, Growth & Stewardship 🌿

What does a year of connecting people with nature look like at ENC?

During the 2025–26 program year, more than 31,500 people participated in ENC educational and community programs, receiving an estimated 76,000+ hours of nature-based education, enrichment and community programming at the Environmental Nature Center, ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, and throughout Orange County.

And that doesn’t include the children and thousands of hours of nature-based learning at ENC Nature Preschool, which we track separately. 🌱

🌿 26,285 students participated in School Programs, including Field Trips and Traveling Naturalist Programs
🌿 1,163 campers explored, played, learned and got dirty at Nature Camp
🌿 937 young children and their caregivers participated in our Early Childhood Programs

Some experiences last a few hours. Others bring children and families back to ENC again and again. Together, they create opportunities to build lasting relationships with the natural world.

Thank you to our educators, volunteers, supporters, families, teachers and community partners who make all of this possible. 💚

Here’s to another year of connection, curiosity and time spent in nature.

09/04/2026

Have you visited the gift shop at ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary? 🌿🦉

It may be small, but it’s packed with fun finds for nature lovers of all ages!

Stop in during your next visit and browse books, field guides, nature-inspired gifts, toys, apparel, stickers, souvenirs, and plenty of other treasures. It’s a great place to find a little something to remember your visit, or a gift for the nature lover in your life.

Best of all, your purchase helps support the Environmental Nature Center and our work at ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. 💚

Come explore the trails, visit the birds, enjoy the canyon, and don’t forget to stop by the gift shop before you head home!

📍 ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary | Modjeska Canyon
🛍️ Gift Shop open weekends, 10 AM–3 PM

We’ll see you at Tucker! 🌿

🎃 Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch is back!Save the date for one of our favorite days of the year! Join us at the Environmenta...
09/04/2026

🎃 Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch is back!

Save the date for one of our favorite days of the year! Join us at the Environmental Nature Center on Sunday, October 18 from 10 AM–3 PM for a day of fall fun in nature.

🍴 Savor OC tastings
🎃 Pumpkin Patch
🐴 Pony rides & petting zoo
🦉 Animal encounters
🎨 Games & crafts
🎶 Live entertainment
🛍️ Online auction
🌿 And plenty of time to PLAY • EAT • CREATE!

Gather your family and friends and spend a beautiful fall day with us at the ENC. 💚

Sunday, October 18 | 10 AM–3 PM

For more information, visit encenter.org.

Thanks to our friends at Stu News Newport for helping spread the word about the ENC’s upcoming Wine Walk! 🍷🌿We’re gratef...
09/03/2026

Thanks to our friends at Stu News Newport for helping spread the word about the ENC’s upcoming Wine Walk! 🍷🌿

We’re grateful for their ongoing support of local organizations, events, and community news — including this lovely feature about our Sept. 27 Wine Walk with Hi-Time Wine Cellars.

If you’re not already receiving Stu News Newport, we encourage you to subscribe. It’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening around Newport Beach.

And if you haven’t grabbed your Wine Walk tickets yet, don’t wait too long — space is limited!

Read the story: https://stunewsnewport.com/enc-hosts-wine-walk-090126/
Wine Walk tickets: https://events.encenter.org/events/wine-walk-2026/

🎃 FALL FAIRE SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: THE GLOVER FAMILY 🎃As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ENC Fall Faire & Pumpkin ...
09/03/2026

🎃 FALL FAIRE SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: THE GLOVER FAMILY 🎃

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ENC Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch, we're shining a spotlight on the wonderful people and families helping make this milestone celebration possible.

A heartfelt thank you to the Glover Family for sponsoring our Pumpkin Patch and supporting a tradition that has brought generations of ENC families together.

The ENC has been an important part of the Glover family's life for decades. Bo Glover, ENC's President & CEO, has been part of the organization since 1991, first as a volunteer and later as its longtime leader. We're especially grateful that Bo and his family continue to personally support the organization and the community celebration that means so much to so many ENC families.

Thank you to the Glover Family for helping us celebrate 50 years of Fall Faire and for helping keep this beloved tradition going for the next generation. 💚

Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch
Sunday, October 18, 2026
10 AM–3 PM
Environmental Nature Center | Newport Beach

🍷 Wine. Nature. Community.There are wine tastings...…and then there's our Wine Walk.Instead of tasting wine inside a cro...
09/02/2026

🍷 Wine. Nature. Community.

There are wine tastings...

…and then there's our Wine Walk.

Instead of tasting wine inside a crowded room, you'll wander shaded trails, discover beautiful gardens, meet winery representatives, enjoy delicious small bites, and spend an early autumn evening surrounded by one of Orange County's most beautiful natural settings.

Finish the evening around the firepit with dessert, Kean Coffee, and good conversation.

It's one of our favorite afternoons of the year—and we'd love to share it with you.

🍷 Sunday, September 27
🎟️ Tickets available at encenter.org

A beautiful morning for some first-time birders! 🐦🌿During last Sunday's Birding Walk at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuar...
09/02/2026

A beautiful morning for some first-time birders! 🐦🌿

During last Sunday's Birding Walk at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, a young boy and his mom headed out with us to discover the birds that call the ENC home.

Since neither had been birding before, we started with the basics using Cornell’s Birding 101 approach, learning what to look and listen for as we explored.

And the birds delivered! Several species stopped to bathe and drink at the stream, including a particularly exciting visitor, a Black-throated Gray Warbler. We also spotted an American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lesser Goldfinch, and Hutton’s Vireo.

Not a bad way to spend a morning, especially for your first time birding! 💚

📷 Swipe through to see some of the birds we encountered.

Pictured: Black-throated Gray Warbler, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Hutton’s Vireo. Photos by Julie Williams.

🌿 Native Plant Tip TuesdaySeptember is for planning!Fall is right around the corner, and that means California native pl...
09/02/2026

🌿 Native Plant Tip Tuesday

September is for planning!

Fall is right around the corner, and that means California native planting season is almost here. 🌱

Now is a great time to take a walk around your garden and start thinking about what comes next. Where could you use more shade? More color? More habitat for birds, butterflies, and native bees? Is there a thirsty plant you've been meaning to replace?

A little planning now means you'll be ready to take advantage of cooler temperatures and winter rains when planting season arrives.

🌿 Make your plant wish list
📏 Measure those empty spaces
☀️ Notice how much sun each area receives
💧 Think about your soil, drainage, and irrigation
🐝 Consider what your local wildlife could use more of

And here's a good reason to start that wish list now!

📅 Save the Date: Saturday, October 24
ENC and the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society are teaming up for our Fall Native Plant Sale at the Environmental Nature Center.

We'll have a diverse selection of regionally appropriate California native plants to help you put those fall garden plans into action. ENC and CNPS OC members receive 10% off native plants, and everyone is welcome to shop!

More details coming soon. For now, start planning that fall garden. 🌱💚

🌊 Join us for California Coastal Cleanup Day!The ENC will be out there on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m.–noon, joini...
09/01/2026

🌊 Join us for California Coastal Cleanup Day!

The ENC will be out there on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m.–noon, joining thousands of volunteers across California for the state’s annual Coastal Cleanup Day.

What happens on our streets, trails, creeks and open spaces eventually affects our coast. This statewide day of action is a great opportunity to roll up your sleeves, care for the places we love, and make a tangible difference for wildlife and our watersheds.

We’ll be there, and we’d love to have you join us!

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
🌊 Find a cleanup site and learn more at CoastalCleanupDay.org

📬 We could use a few helping hands!We’re getting ready to spread the word about the ENC’s upcoming Wine Walk, and we nee...
08/31/2026

📬 We could use a few helping hands!

We’re getting ready to spread the word about the ENC’s upcoming Wine Walk, and we need volunteers to help us label and stamp postcards on Friday, September 4!

Choose a two-hour shift:
🍷 11 AM–1 PM
🍷 1–3 PM
🍷 3–5 PM

It’s easy, relaxed work and a great way to lend the ENC a hand. Bring your earbuds and a favorite playlist or podcast—we’ll provide the postcards, labels and stamps!

Open to most ages; children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sign up for a shift:
https://events.encenter.org/events/volunteer-label-stamp-27/

Every postcard helps us spread the word about Wine Walk and support environmental education in our community. Thank you! 💚

Address

745 Dover Drive
Newport Beach, CA
92663

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