Why I Love Shipley

In my last post about Shipley Nature Center I talked mostly about the new children's program and offered a general overview of the grounds. But I really think this nature center has a lot to offer and I wanted to mention a few more of the things I love about Shipley.

 

 

 I took my daughter with me to take a few photos for a post I was writing for dandelionmoms.com, also about the new children's program (you can read that post here). We said hello to Barbara, one of the staff members, and she offered us a Critter Count checklist to keep track of the wildlife that we spotted while we were out on the trails. My daughter LOVED keeping track, and I was amazed by the number of animals we encountered. When we checked back in, Mandy helped us record our observations so the next time we visit we can compare our animal observations. We had a grand total of 2 bunnies, 9 lizards, 9 butterflies, 7 birds, 2 hummingbirds, and 3 squirrels.

Shipley also participates in the Get Outdoors! OC program and they provide Nature Scene Investigator Guidebooks for kids to learn more about some of the natural environments and historic locations in Orange County. With the NSI Guidebook, you are directed to various locations to explore and follow clues that lead you to keys or rubbing plates to help you complete your mission.

In addition to the new children's program, Shipley seems to be adding new things all the time. They now have a spot outside where kids can make footprints of local wildlife. At the first children's program event, they made binoculars, then went out to look for animals on the trail. So stop in on Wednesday's at 11:00 and participate in a fun, nature related craft and story time. It's such a great experience for the little ones.

Shipley will also be hosting their annual Spring Festival on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 to 2:00. There will be face painting, a Maypole dance, storytelling, and much more.

For more information about Shipley Nature Center visit http://shipleynature.org/.

Shipley Nature Center Begins New Children's Program

One of my favorite places to take my kiddos to explore is Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach. The 18-acre center features trails that wander through California native habitat. The center displays eight habitats here including an oak woodlands habitat, meadow habitat, redwood grove habitat, Blackbird pond habitat, coastal sage scrub, riparian woodland habitat, Torrey Pine habitat, and Southern Oak Woodland Habitat. You'll find a special area that provides food and shelter for Monarch butterflies, a replica of a Native American reed hut, and an observation platform to look out over Blackbird pond.

 

Shipley also has a great interpretive center. Head in to the building and make your way to the back room. They have puzzles, puppets and other fun things for the kids to play with before or after your walk.

I'm super excited because Shipley is now offering a children's program on Wednesday mornings at 11:00. They'll be doing story time, a craft, and of course you'll have access to a nature walk. The cost is $3 per adult.

 

 

For more information check out their website at http://shipleynature.org/. Have fun exploring!

Fullerton Arboretum

When I took the kids to the Fullerton Arboretum, I didn't go with soaring expectations. I went because it looked spacious and I wanted to explore a new nature center-type location. So when I was greeted with a gorgeous waterfall that pooled into a stream that swept quickly through a shady Woodlands Collection that included buckeye, cedar, juniper, pine, bamboo and countless other specimens, I was ecstatic. You can only imagine my excitement when I found the redwoods. A perfect bench sat quietly overlooking the stream as it rushed over shiny pebbles. The kids played stream-side on the banks and tried to pick the seashells out of the packed mud.

The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived, but there was rarely another group within speaking distance. Even with the occasional passerby, it felt like we had the place to ourselves. I noticed a few other groups with children lingering by the pond and the lake watching the ducks, turtles, tadpoles and fish - someone asked about feeding the ducks but signs are clearly posted here that feeding the wildlife is not allowed. We made our own lakeside stop and the ducks and turtles quickly approached. I'm sure they were hoping for a treat but they were not aggressive with us and seemed to be content just hanging out with the kids.

In addition to the Woodlands Collection you can explore the Desert Collection, the Mediterranean Collection and the gardens. You'll find a beautiful arbor draped with wisteria, a community garden area, a rare fruit garden and a children's garden complete with a hollow tree stump replica for play, a giant watering can and shovel, and my personal favorite, the gourd arbor. I've never seen anything quite like it and I must say, I felt like a kid again walking through that magical hall of gourds.

Fullerton Arboretum is definitely worth a trip. Parking and admission are free but there is a donation station at the entrance that suggests $3 per person. Please consider the suggested donation so this amazing place can keep its doors open to the public. Also, the Arboretum offers classes for adults and children like Yoga in the Garden, Thursdays in the Kitchen, and Arts in the Garden. Visit the Classes and Programs section and the Calendar of Events for more information.

If you go: Take plenty of water and wear sunblock. There's plenty of shade, but lots of sunny, open space as well. Pack a lunch or a substantial snack supply. There's a lot to explore here so you may want to stay a while. Almost all trails are dirt and stroller accessible. There are clean restrooms at the nature center, but there are no changing tables, so bring a blanket for changes on the grass. Please dispose of trash properly so others can enjoy this beautiful location.

Fullerton Arboretum is open daily from 8:00 to 4:30.