Oh, the Green Places You'll Go
Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:40AM By Jim Fitzpatrick
(left) Jim's daughters Drew and Kate with their stained butterfly crafts in front of ENC's Butterfly House.
The Butterflies are coming. The Butterflies are coming. No Chicken Little or Red Coat stuff here, as Newport Beach’s Environmental Nature Center opened their Butterfly House last weekend to a high-energy crowd of eco-enthusiastic youth.
I paid $3 for each of my two daughters at the entrance, and they received a bag. With that bag, kids could choose from any and all butterfly-themed crafts made with recycled materials.
I saw Lori Whalen, Director of Education, always a pleasure and a chance to thank her for all her hard work and success. “Amazing, we put on this whole event with only four paid employees ... the rest are volunteers,” she proudly shared, and rightfully so. If you remember, I had a column about Dan Heinfeld who designed the ENC here.
Oh the people you meet … We went for a walk, deep into the center. It is so calming to hear sounds of running water, and conjures memories of youth when I went exploring streams with my brothers. My daughter had been to the ENC a week earlier: she was determined to take me to see the bird she had seen. I didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, as the bird had likely moved. But, we met a guy with his kids, from South County, a self-described Lagunatic. We quickly bonded and piggybacked on his self-guided tour.
Lemonadeberry treeFirst, we came to the Lemonadeberry Tree. He shared a story of how the Indians would pick this berry, put them in a jar of water and make lemonade. “Daddy, did they have a lemonade stand like ours?” asked my inquisitive and entrepreneurial youngest in a proud Dad moment. Our first thought was to start picking, as we can make this at home. But, the policy at the ENC is that nothing leaves, it all stays there. So, if you want lemonade from this tree, you have to plant your own … the beauty is that you can! Get yours at Tree of Life Nursery.
White SageNext, we came upon White Sage. “Want to shake hands?” invited the Lagunatic. No ordinary handshake – you gently surround the stalk with your palm facing away so you are looking at the back of the hand, cup around the leaves, and slowly caress in an upward motion. Repeat and enjoy the aroma.
Origin of the Political Handshake – Thomas Jefferson: the revolutionary genius who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and who was one of our most gifted presidents. But his passion for equality may best be revealed by a simple gesture. With it, the leader who helped create a democracy in the era of kings and aristocrat, set an example for all presidents to follow. On the 4th of July, 1801, Jefferson shocked diplomats at a White House reception by doing the unthinkable. Rather than bow to his guests, he shook their hands. Scandalous! From that day forth, presidents would shake hands at every opportunity, pressing the flesh. Where would politics be without it?
But, I bet his hand never smelled as aromatically hypnotizing as a handshake with White Sage.
We worked up an appetite and selected some gourmet grilled cheese. Organic wheat bread with real cheese. You really can taste the difference, and so could my kids. No leftovers for Daddy today.
If you plant it, they will come, so on our way out, we purchased some native butterfly host and nectar plants to start our own butterfly habitat garden. Gotta love it when your kindergardener knows what a chrysalis is, as she read it in a book recently.
My family are members, and membership has its privileges. Think of it as an Eco Disneyland. You can bike there, too. Someday, maybe, no someday, I will have a business meeting here, down by the river. A meeting where I need to have people stop and think, to encourage a new perspective. If the setting doesn’t work, I will bring a bottle of wine to share … someday soon!
Jim Fitzpatrick is a contributing writer to the Daily Voice. His Green Living column appears every Friday.
Reader Comments (60)
The writing in this column is really, really bad. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.
I always thought this periodical had higher standards than this.
What an interestig piece about a place I knew little about. My children will love it on our next visit west. Thanks for sharing!
Not sure what to say? It is an interesting personal story about a father and his daughters. Did not expect the author to be a professional writer, but as the father of four daughters I can appreciate the sentiment the story carries.
Bud Abraham
Fun information - like a walk with the kids! Oh - that's what it was! Sounds like a great time.
This is a great story. I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, and could visualize me being at the Butter Fly House with my family. I'm looking forward to more columns.
THANK YOU!
Good information Jim. I'll take my grandson by to see them.
Great post Jim! Sounds like fun!
I enjoyed reading about the Butterfly House at the Newport Beach’s Environmental Nature Center and also appreciated the link to the Tree of Life Nursery.
Thanks for the heads up on this cool resource, had no idea it existed until now (which is a bummer).
My son will dig it ...
Interesting mix of political trivia and what to expect on an Orange County nature walk.
Sometimes I think we take for granted what's in our own backyard! Thanks for reminding us that learning about nature is fun shared with your own kids.
Thank you Jim for reminding of us of how lucky we are to have this place, as well as others you have pointed out, in our own backyard. My two children (5 & 8) love it here as I do as it is such a terrific brief escpae from typical suburban life. I can only hope that the enthusiasm they both share for nature and the outdoors, gained mostly from places like this, continues for a lifetime!
Nice piece, Jim. Thanks for the tour... a visit is on our agenda soon. "gourmet grilled cheese" had me salivating like Pavlov's Dog.
Thank you for providing information on the Butterfly House at the Environmental Nature Center. I'm looking forward to visiting the Center soon.
I love visiting the Environmental Nature Center and its been awhile since I have been there. It is nice to hear about the new events. I will have to take my children there again to visit. Thanks for the great article.
Jim
As a conservtive Republican , a green supporter and enviromentalist i really enjoy the columns and the thoughtful way you present ideas! keep it up.
As a product of the Sea & Sage Audubon youth camp and various other nature camps in Orange County that existed about 20 years ago, I greatly appreciate the new and improved ENC and their amazing staff. It's wonderful to see the demand rising for more nature education centers and services here in Orange County!
Great article. I didn't know about the Environmental Nature Center. Look forward to visiting there. Thanks for the information
What a great article and it's nice to see the author take some time with his daughters. I look forward to going to see the Butterfly exhibit the next time in Costa Mesa.
Very nice, Jimbo
Looks like an nice place to spend an afternoon at with the family. Will definitely put it on the to do list.
Having been to ENC before, it was very enjoyable to read your article and re-visit the simple pleasures that ENC offers. "Through the eyes of a child" is one of the best ways to describe an adventure and your article accomplishes that.....Thanks
Great article Jim. I haven't visited the Environmental Nature Center in years. It used to be a regular stop for our family when the boys were young. Thank you for the reintroduction. I'm going to visit again soon.
Jim , Well done!!
Great Article Jim, thanks for sharing with the local community. I look forward to hearing of your next adventure!