Mission: To provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature.
Founded in 1972, the Environmental Nature Center, known simply to thousands of visiting students through the years as “The ENC”, is a fascinating combination of 15 California native plant communities (ranging from desert, to oak woodland, to fresh water marsh, to redwood forest); wildlife habitats; walking trails; and sustainably designed, LEED Platinum certified learning center. For 40 years, the ENC has been shaped and caressed into a 5-acre landscape for learning, a sanctuary from life’s pressures and a place of preservation and instruction. Serving over 21,000 students and thousands of visitors annually, the ENC is recognized as a leader in science and social science education providing opportunities for increasing our community’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural world. The ENC is a non-profit 501(c)-3 public benefit corporation.
"The ENC's mission is to provide transformative experiences through connection with nature. Our 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.The Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays between 10AM and 3PM. During the week we are open to visitors who are registered for scheduled programs i.e. school field trips, classes, etc., and to ENC Members ONLY between 2-5PM."
