Friends of El Dorado Nature Center

Support habitat restoration and educational programs at the Nature Center with your membership donation. For more info, call the Friends’ office at (562) 570-4935.

Schools, youth groups or day camps

Register by calling (562) 570-1745, 10:00am  - 4:00pm Tuesday - Sunday.

 

Badger Tours

Ages 5-18.  Scouts can enhance merit badge work with a 1-1/2 hour program focused on a specific badge. $4 per person.

 

Beetle Brigade

Ages 3-5.  As winter turns to spring we’ll discover how young plants and animals grow and flourish. Animal babies, seeds and flowers will be the focus of our exploration. Sing a song, listen to a story or make friends with a puppet. Tuesday – Saturday, $4 per person.

 

Discovery Tours

Elementary teachers, explore the Nature Center trails with your students on a naturalist-guided tour. You’ll make discoveries through hands-on investigation and activities designed to support the Academic Content Standards at your grade level.  Call 570-1745 for reservations. $5 per person.

 

Adopt A Beach “Explore the Shore” 5th Grade Tour

Sponsored by El Dorado Nature Center and the City of Long Beach’s Adopt A Beach program.

In this hands-on two hour program, students will use scientific tools and instruments to discover how water sustains all life on earth, and how the water cycle shapes our local watershed and affects the marine ecosystem. Two locations to serve: Granada Beach or Cherry Beach. Call (562) 570- 1745 for reservations. $5 per person.

 

Pre-registration is required. Join us for vacation fun at the Nature Center. Morning sessions from 9:30-11:30 am are for K-1st Grade students. Afternoon sessions from 1-3 pm are for 2nd-4th Grade students. Fee is $10 per class.

 

Party at the Pond

The Nature Center pond is a happenin’ place, so come join the fun. All your friends will be there- turtles, frogs, fish and insects. Be ready to explore the world of the pond and see what all the buzz is about. Monday, December 21

 

Mud Mania

It’s squishy, icky, gooey and so much fun. Join us at the Nature Center as we make mud puddles, pies and pictures. Prepare to get dirty! Wear old clothes and bring a towel. Tuesday, December 22

 

Yoga for Kids

Coyote pose, Rabbit pose, Tree pose-Movement and fun, stretching and strengthening. We’ll walk the trails looking for animals, listen to stories and have fun with animal and nature yoga poses. Wednesday, December 23

 

Extreme Hunter

Discover why hawks, falcons and owls are such lethal predators, perched atop the food chain at El Dorado Nature Center. We’ll explore how these stealthy raptors are able to hunt during the day, as well in the dead of night. Thursday, December 24

 

A Bug’s Life

Discover the incredible world of insects. Learn about what they eat, how they survive and their cool and unusual defenses. Meet some insect friends and make your very own squirmy bug creation to bring home. Monday, December 28

 

Crash! Boom! Honk!

Join us as we play and build our own musical instruments from natural and recycled materials. Then hold your ears as we create our very own marching band for a parade around the Nature Center. Tuesday, December 29

 

Endangered Feces

Icky, stinky, smelly – scat gets no respect. We’ll go on the most-unusual “treasure” hunt to discover what, who and how animals eat at the Nature Center. Wednesday, December 30

 

Nature’s Language

Mariposa? Farfalla? Paruparo? Or how about butterfly? Every language has words for things in nature. Join us for a trip around the world, or trails, to learn new ways to identify some unusual sights and sounds. Thursday, December 31

2009 International Coastal Cleanup

Join citizens from around the world to clean up our beaches and wetlands. Cleanup will take place at beaches throughout the city. For more
locations, info, and group registration, call 570-4876.
Saturday, September 19,   9:00am -12:00pm 

 

Reptile Show - Free family fun

Sleek and smooth, or bumpy and rough. You’ll see all kinds of snakes, lizards and amphibians. Sponsored by Southern California Herpetology Society. Sunday, September 27 10:00am-2:00pm

 

California Native Plant Sale

The Nature Center will be blooming with thousands of California native plants on sale. Your purchase benefits the Center and supports habitat restoration. The $7 parking fee will be credited to purchases of $75 dollars or more. Event begins at 9:30 am. Current members of Friends get in early at 9:00 am. Come early for the best selection. For more information call (562) 570-1745. Saturday, October 24, 9:30 am-2:00 pm

 

Acorn Festival

Join us for this celebration of the fall season, and all the wonders and colors it brings. Crafts, stories and guided tours of the Nature Center will be offered. Saturday, November 14. 10:00am-2:00pm. Free.

 

Tellabration

Come to the Nature Center to celebrate the power and wisdom of storytelling from the Long Beach Storytellers. Make your reservations early, this event fills up fast, by calling (562) 570-1745.

Saturday, November 21. 7:30-9:30 pm  $5 per person.

 

Meet an Arthropod!

Tour El Dorado Nature Center’s Insect Zoo with our zookeeper. Get up close and personal with a millipede, and be there for feeding time, when you might watch a centipede snag a meal.  Create your own mini-zoo perfect for a critter crawling in the backyard. Drop in and check it out. Saturday, December 5  11:00am-1:00pm. Free.  

Family Nightlife Walk

Looking for an alternative to the computer and TV? Bring the kids to the Nature Center for a naturalist-led walk on the trails. 

Sept. 8 & 22, Oct 6 & 20, Nov 10 & 24, Dec. 8 & 22, 7:00-9:00pm; $4 per person.

 

Evening Campfire

Get the family together for an hour and head outside for some fresh air, relaxation, stories, games and laughs around the campfire. 

September 11. 7:30 – 9:00 pm; $3 per person.

 

Audubon Bird Walk

Whether you’re a new birder or want to sharpen your skills, join
members of El Dorado Audubon for this morning walk through the Nature Center. 8:00am-10:00am,  Free Program
Sept. 13, Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec. 13

 

Fall Fairy Frolic

Calling all fairies:  Join us as we build a leafy fairy house, sing & dance, and celebrate all things little and lovely. Be sure to wear your wings! Ages 2-5, parent and me workshop. Instructor: Erika Treller

Wednesday, October 21. 10:00-11:30 am,  $8 per parent/child

 

Nature’s Little Gifts

From prickly pinecones, to twisty twiny twigs, nature surrounds us with beautiful wintery textures and patterns.  We’ll create our own handmade, heartfelt holiday gifts using natural materials, recycled whatnots… and our imaginations! Ages 2-5, parent and me workshop   Instructor:  Erika Treller. Wednesday, December 9, 10:00- 11:30 am,  $8 per parent/child

 

Holiday Hike

Too much holiday turkey? Holiday visitors got you stressed? Join us for an energizing walk on the Nature Center trails and learn a little about the flora, fauna and history of this magical place. Saturday, November 28 and December 26, 10:00am-12:00pm  $3 per person.

 

Winter Solstice Campfire

Help us to call back the sun as we celebrate the longest night of the year and the beginning of the winter season.

Saturday, December 19, 7:00-9:00pm  $5 per person

 

Drawing in Nature

We will walk and journal on the Nature Center trails and then turn our observations into colored pencil drawings. Learn the basics of using colored pencils, including blending, burnishing and impressed line while incorporating the techniques of botanical drawing. Call 562-570-1745 for supply list and to register. Adults only: $30 per person each session.
Saturday, September 19, October 17, and November 21. 10am –3pm

 

El Dorado Audubon Society Meeting

Join us as we discuss local and national news about our feathered friends.
Sept. 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec. 17

 

Container Gardening with Native Plants

Want to learn to grow California native plants, but don’t have the space? Learn which plants work great for containers and small yards.

Saturday, October 10  10am-12 pm  $5 per person

 

Volunteer Meetings

Looking for volunteer opportunities or service hours? Come to an
orientation meeting to learn about what you can do at the Nature Center.  We look forward to seeing you.
Sept. 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec. 5. 9 - 9:30am.

 

1st Saturday Stewards – Service Learning Opportunity

Students, interns, volunteers, join us in cleaning the stream, clearing the trails, pulling weeds or painting the benches.  Give us a call to let us know you are coming so we’ll be sure to have enough rakes and shovels. Wear sturdy shoes. Sept. 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec. 5. 10am  - noon.

 

Adopt-A-Wetland Cleanup

Join us to learn more about our fragile wetland habitats and how to protect them. Third Saturday each month: 10am - Noon at Golden Shore Marine Reserve. Call 562-570-4876 for information and educational topic.

 

 

Adopt A Beach

Help to keep Long Beach and the coast of California litter free. Come join the hundreds of other individuals, families and groups that volunteer every year to remove thousands of pounds of trash from our beaches. All the supplies are provided; you schedule the times and pick your location. For information call (562) 570-4876.

 

2009 International Coastal Cleanup

Join citizens from around the world to clean up our beaches and wetlands.  Cleanup will take place at beaches throughout the city. For more locations, info, and group registration, call 570-1749.
Saturday, September 19 9am- 12pm

 

Habitat Stewards Training

Do you love gardening? Want to learn more about drought tolerate California native plants, while helping the Nature Center? Then we’re looking for you! Join our Habitat Stewards team and learn the basics for planting and maintaining native plants. Weekly and monthly work parties and meetings will provide you on going opportunities to sharpen your skills and meet new friends. Call (562) 570-1750 for application.

November 7 & 14  9am-12pm  $40 materials fee.