Free nature centers in and near OC
It's not the exhibits, it's the volunteers and staff who make these places special
As I was trying to brainstorm where to go when air quality or winds might be a concern but the weather is still dry, I landed on nature centers! Yes, the hours are not predictable due to volunteer schedules and it may cost you a few bucks for parking or contributing to the donation box — but they are a such hubs for educational fun and learning about our local plants and wildlife.
And it’s worth appreciating them even more knowing they are sometimes threatened or realizing they might not always be there.
The Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena was lost to flames in the Eaton Fire.
The Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach just experienced the unnecessary loss and “removal of nearly 20 trees from land [they’ve] lovingly stewarded for over 50 years, but which [their] neighbor recently reclaimed.” They reported that “a fence, which has separated our property from a neighboring landowner’s for decades, was recently found to have been built off the true property line.” Instead of leaving the trees and finding a solution, “the neighbor started clearing mature trees and native habitat to construct a new fence along the correct boundary.” It will take decades to for new trees to mature.
There is another nature center on the Palos Verdes Peninsula (White Point Nature Center) that just had a public meeting on January 6th - before the LA Fires - to find solutions to protect their preserve “following several recent arson fires and ongoing issues of attempted break-ins at the Nature Center, habitat destruction, and vandalism.”
One of the best side effects of children playing outdoors is that they naturally learn to become stewards of the land because they love it so much. We only have one planet. It’s worth valuing these places and helping to take care of them.
We are so lucky to have so many nature and interpretive centers available to us in Orange County!
Hoping you get out to explore,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Free nature centers in and near OC
I started building this list over a decade ago and have been expanding on it and sharing these special places with you ever since. I know it says 17+, but it’s more like 20+! Let me know if there are any I missed!
Less ads on the blog right now
Since I’m already making close to nothing, might as well make closer to nothing and give you a better experience!
I have seen a lot of changes to blogging since starting mine in 2008 as a way to create this free community resource, but nothing like the changes in the past 6 months. In short, blog traffic is suddenly failing to support their creators anymore. It’s really sad. And it’s NOT your fault. I know you visit the blog no matter what! And it’s NOT my fault either. I keep pumping out good stuff — maybe even some of my best stuff?
There is not just one reason for the change in blog traffic. Blame AI taking the top search spot at the expense of small blogs that it draws from? Blame search engines like Google for prioritizing Reddit in search results? Blame an online creator culture that often rewards competition over collaboration? Or blame social media for filling in the content gaps with a highly trained algorithm that does not favor anything out of the ordinary or linking off the platform?
That’s why I’m so glad you are here! We get to hang out once a week and check in — no matter what the algorithm or search results do. I’m not going anywhere. Until blogs/websites become completely obsolete, I guess? But then I’ll just pivot into the next version of what a community resource looks like.
PLAY: The Backpack
This is the section of the newsletter where we talk about PLAY or connecting to nature each week. I might share a video, an article, a book, or something inspiring. Just trying to help keep you empowered to prioritize play to benefit development and preserve childhood!
This one makes it easier for parents to play, too. Backpacks that are switch-off-able between adults means both hands are free and you can share the load. I originally wrote this circa 2010 and we STILL have our black backpack in the car! Now we use it for hiking. Our original one was a Jansport and lasted a long time — and this one is from the Columbia Sportswear outlet in San Clemente and only cost us about $20.
I take this backpack on all our outdoor adventures. I call it THE Backpack because it accompanies us everywhere we go. I’ve been known to shout “Do we have THE backpack?” or “Where’s THE backpack?” or “Did we forget THE backpack?” I panic if I open the trunk and it’s not in the car. It has all the things I normally forget like: Band-Aids, snacks, and hats. It take it to the park. I take it to the beach. When I go to the mall once a year (since I hate shopping) — it’s in the car — but I still have it with me ’cause you never know when you’re gonna need a baby wipe.
From years of outdoor adventures with kids, I’ve figured out exactly what I need to bring with me. No more, no less. Ditch the diaper bag and the stylish tote! Get practical and put all those goodies on your back, so you can join in on the play and fun.
Picking THE Backpack
I didn’t set out to pick the perfect backpack. But the one we use is designed for everything we need.
You must be able to wear it on your back so you have both hands free!
It’s BLACK (which means it matches everything).
It has a padded back and padded straps.
It has 2 pockets for water bottles on the sides.
It has 3 compartments (BIG, MIDDLE, SMALL).
I go into more depth inside the extras below with the exact contents and how I organize it.
Play-Filled Extras are waiting below this paywall each week for all paid subscribers. Thanks for your support!