Check out these events at ENC this week

Come visit the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) this week, as autumn is such a special time there. Many of their trees have dropped their leaves as the weather turns cooler and the days become shorter.

It’s fun to walk the trails covered with spongy layers of wet, fallen leaves and gaze up through the bare branches to the clear blue sky. If you’re quiet, you may see a squirrel scavenging for lunch, or a hawk patiently waiting for a sign of prey.

Look what’s happening!

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Photos courtesy of ENC

OC Wild Docent Day on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Join ENC for an amazing day of educational workshops featuring the area’s finest researchers, biologists and specialists. Learn new details about your favorite natural niche to share with others. The day will begin with Keynote Presenter Warren Brush from Quail Springs Permaculture, followed by two, 1.5-hour workshops with topics including bird behavior, habitat and connectivity, wildlife corridors, saving species from extinction, going green, and tools & techniques on the trail. Network with your fellow nature enthusiasts while enjoying a scenic and inspiring day at the beautiful Environmental Nature Center. Cost: $25 includes a vegetarian lunch.

Bring a special stick or stone that has some meaning to you. Item will be left behind, along with your own reusable cup, plate and utensils. Register here.

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Shop more than 50 varieties of California native plants

Fall Native Plant Sale on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Autumn is the perfect season to add new plants to your garden. Their horticulture manager will be available to answer any questions you may have about choosing plants. Shop more than 50 varieties of California native plants. ENC Members receive a 10% discount on all plant purchases! Purchase beautiful and engaging native plants to enjoy year ‘round. They will provide habitat and encourage birds and butterflies to visit your yard. For more information and to learn about the benefits of planting in the fall, go here.

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Herbalist William Broen and Walk the trails at ENC to see what wildlife you can spot in winter

Native Plant Uses Walk on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Herbalist William Broen will discuss traditional and modern uses of plants as well as how a plant’s survival tactics affect how they are used by us, how we can tell a lot about plants through our senses, plant folklore and other related topics. Broen’s walks are informative, interactive, accessible, fun and understandable. He is always happy to share his knowledge of botanical medicine with interested people. Broen is a Bioregional Herbalist (one who focuses on local California plants) and he integrates knowledge and concepts from many world traditions. He has been conducting lectures on medicinal and edible plants of California and the Southwestern United States for 20 years. Cost: $9 for ENC members, $10 for Non-members. For more info and to register, go here.

Environmental Nature Center is located at 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. For more information, visit www.encenter.org.