Environmental Nature Center

Volunteer Program

Volunteers are at the heart of the Environmental Nature Center. Each year, more than 500 dedicated volunteers contribute their time, talents, and passion to support our programs, care for our habitats, and help create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages. Adult volunteers serve as docents, event volunteers, habitat stewards, and community ambassadors, while hundreds of student volunteers support administrative projects, restoration efforts, and educational programming. Through these opportunities, volunteers make a lasting impact while gaining new skills, building community, and deepening their connection to the natural world. For teens and young adults, the ENC offers a variety of leadership and career-development opportunities. The Leaders in Training (L.I.T.) program empowers high school students to develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while assisting with nature camps and youth programs. Internships and service-learning opportunities provide hands-on experience in environmental education, horticulture, conservation, and communications, helping participants explore career pathways while contributing to meaningful work. Whether planting native species, restoring wildlife habitat, mentoring young campers, or supporting programs behind the scenes, ENC volunteers are helping cultivate a more environmentally aware, engaged, and resilient community.

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 year, more than 17,000 students participate in hands-on environmental education field trips at the Environmental Nature Center. Aligned with state education standards, these immersive experiences transform the ENC's gardens, trails, and wildlife habitats into living classrooms where science comes alive through exploration, observation, and inquiry. Students don't simply learn about ecosystems, adaptation, biodiversity, and sustainability—they experience these concepts firsthand. By engaging directly with the natural world, students develop curiosity, critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of their relationship with the environment. These field trips are often the beginning of a lifelong connection to nature. Teachers extend learning back in the classroom, families return for community programs, and many students continue their environmental journey through camps, volunteer opportunities, and leadership programs. Together, these experiences help cultivate environmental stewardship and prepare the next generation to address the challenges facing our planet.