Nature Centers Near Me in Covelo
Audubon Canyon Ranch
PO Box 577, Stinson Beach, CA
Mission:
Audubon Canyon Ranch protects our natural and human communities through land preservation, nature education, and conservation science.
Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary
376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon, CA
Audubon's Mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary staff and volunteers focus on waterbird conservation in our Sanctuary and northern San Francisco Bay and use our site as an outdoor classroom to inspire and educate our community.
Our sanctuary is located on Richardson Bay and is comprised of 10.5 acres of uplands and 900 acres of subtidal bay. We are part of a nation-wide network of National Audubon Society nature centers, chapters, and programs focused on bird conservation and public engagement. The public is welcome to explore our site Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm. Please understand our site is a wildlife sanctuary. Pets are not allowed.
Ecology Center
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite H, Berkeley, CA
Founded in 1969, the Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization located in Berkeley, California that focuses on improving the health and the environmental impacts of urban residents. We address critical issues through a model of education, demonstration, replication, and advocacy. We envision a world where human activity nurtures the ecosystems that we all depend on — a world of sustainable cities; empowered, resilient communities; zero waste and zero toxics; equal access to healthy food; sustainable resource use; and a safe and stable climate.
The Ecology Center’s mission is to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond. We transform the ideals of sustainability into everyday practice. We deliver information you can act on, infrastructure you can count on, and leadership for lasting change.
Our services include farmers’ markets, residential curbside recycling, classes and workshops, Youth Environmental Academy, help desk and hotline, book & DVD library and seed library, store for sustainable living, and a demonstration house and garden. We convene the Berkeley Food Policy Council, the Berkeley Climate Action Coalition, and the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets. We also lead Market Match, an innovative nutrition incentive program that doubles the value of “food stamps” at farmers’ markets across California, and serve as the fiscal sponsor for a wide range of projects that align with our mission.
Randall Museum
745 Treat Ave., San Francisco, CA
Mission:
The Randall Museum offers youth and adults opportunities for active involvement and recreation in an integrated program of arts and sciences. Focusing on the cultures and environment of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Museum strives to inspire creativity, curiosity, and appreciation of the world around us.
History:
The Randall Museum was the inspiration of a remarkable woman, Josephine D. Randall. Ms. Randall received her Masters degree in zoology from Stanford University in 1910. By 1915, she had organized one of the first Girl Scout troops in the United States as well as one of the first Camp Fire Girl troops. She went on to become San Francisco's first Superintendent of Recreation, a position she held for a quarter of a century. In 1948 she received an honorary Doctorate from the University of California. Under her direction, the San Francisco Recreation Department achieved national recognition as one of the most outstanding services of its kind.
One of Ms. Randall's long-term goals was the establishment of a museum for children. In 1937 her vision came to fruition. Simply called the "Junior Museum," it originally opened in the city's old jail on Ocean Avenue. In 1947, Ms. Randall shepherded a $12,000,000 bond issue for recreation capital projects, including a new museum. In 1951, the museum opened in its current facilities on a 16-acre park over looking San Francisco Bay and was renamed the Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum in honor of its founder.
Ms. Randall intended the museum to be "a place that would foster a love of science, natural history, and the arts." As part of this mission the museum provides exhibits, classes, workshops, presentations, special events, and many other hands-on learning experiences for children and adults.
Ventura Botanical Gardens
567 South Poli Street, Ventura, CA
History
To create and maintain public gardens for the preservation, education, cultural contribution & enhancement of the entire community.
The Ventura Botanical Gardens is in the process of becoming the treasure a small group of Ventura residents first dreamed of late in 2005. They came together to formulate plans for a world-class botanical garden showcasing and preserving native plants and providing educational, recreational, and cultural enhancement for the Ventura coastal community.
Grant Park, set in the foothills above Ventura’s City Hall, presented the perfect site, with its breathtaking 360-degree view encompassing the coastline, mountains, and lush agricultural greenery. The eminent landscape architectural firm of Mia Lehrer + Associates was engaged to develop our Vision Plan, and in 2011 signed a lease/option with the City of Ventura for 107 of the 109 acres of parkland. In 2015, the 40-year lease was signed to create a public/private partnership with the City of Ventura.
Field studies were completed compilating existing site conditions and a baseline environmental assessment was created. The restoration of California native plant species and acquisition of new plant specimens began. The first construction, a trail that would someday be the primary walkway through the gardens, was completed in 2012. The walkway begins behind City Hall and climbs gently for nearly a mile, providing a number of viewpoints with spectacular vistas of the city, the sea, and the Channel Islands beyond. In January of 2014, the planting of the Chilean Garden began. When complete, it will be the largest Chilean Garden in the world outside of Chile. The new Cape of South Africa/Fynbos Garden began with a dry creek bed, additional walkways, and plantings of protea and ericas. Artistic benches and sculptures enhance the gardens along with new educational signage. Additional signage, benches, stonework, and stairs are in the works.
In 2018, the Merewether Welcome Center was completed. It includes the Courtyard Gift Shop, an informational kiosk, and much-needed restrooms. In 2019, the Miriam Schwab Entrance Plaza opened, and in 2020, construction on our new nursery began.
When completed, the Ventura Botanical Gardens will include gardens representing the earth’s five Mediterranean climate zones with public gathering areas and facilities for educational programs, botanic laboratories, and collection spaces, and a range of amenities including dining facilities, and event center. The Gardens will also offer a natural canvas to showcase regional and international environmental sculpture, stonework, and other visual arts.
Apricot Lane Farms
10700 Broadway Rd, Moorpark, CA
Apricot Lane Farms is a farm integrated within a reawakened ecosystem. Our focus is seeing and utilizing the interconnectedness of nature to help build soil health, maximize biodiversity, and regeneratively grow the most nutrient-dense food possible.
Placerita Canyon Nature Center
19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, CA
About Us
Placerita Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center is a unique east-west running canyon featuring cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream and numerous other interesting plant and animal communities. The historic "Oak of the Golden Dream" is the site of California's original gold discovery in 1842. Another landmark in Placerita is our Walker Cabin, built by Frank Walker in 1920 for his family.
The Nature Center museum contains exhibits on the natural history of southern California, and there is a small collection of live animals. A network of self-guiding nature, history and hiking trails radiates out into the park from the Center, with longer hikes leading to a seasonal waterfall and to the top of the Santa Clarita Divide. Picnicking is available near the Nature Center.
The park encompasses oak woodland and chaparral on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains southeast of the City of Santa Clarita. The park not only serves to conserve a slice of the wild environment but also endeavors to educate the public on the value of undisturbed flora and fauna through wild animal shows, nature hikes and educational trails.
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center
10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA
Vasquez Rocks, located in the high desert near Agua Dulce Springs, features 932 acres of spectacular rock formations, and a seasonal stream. The rocks’ history began in prehistoric times when the sandstone rocks were uplifted at a picturesque angle, showing their jagged red features. In 1874 Tiburcio Vasquez, one of California’s most notorious bandits, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature. The park is a popular hiking, picnicking, and equestrian area and has been used in many hit movies, television shows and commercials.
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA
Mission:
Theodore Payne Foundation inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes
Sooky Goldman Nature Center
2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
The William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom (WODOC) was formed in order to connect inner city youth with California’s natural resources. WODOC and the Sooky Goldman Nature Center are located in Franklin Canyon Park, surrounded by 605 acres of natural open space, which includes a three-acre wildlife pond, chaparral covered slopes and shady grassland meadows. Franklin Canyon Park serves over 10,000 Los Angeles Unified School District children yearly. The Park is jointly managed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy through the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the National Park Service, Department of Water and Power, City of Los Angeles, and the City of Beverly Hills.
Stop by the Sooky Goldman Nature Center and discover and explore the unique natural and cultural history of Franklin Canyon Park. If you have time, attend one of our regular volunteer-led programs. WODOC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. All of the education programs are free of charge.
Shipley Nature Center
17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA
Opened in 1974, the Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre fenced natural area within Huntington Beach Central Park, CA. Named after former Mayor Donald D. Shipley, the center is owned by the City of Huntington Beach.
After years of neglect, the Nature Center became overrun with invasive, exotic plant species that crowded out more desirable native plants on which local native wildlife depends. Non-native tamarisk and giant reeds depleted the ground water. Dead Monterey pines and giant reeds, were a fire risk and needed to be removed. The Blackbird Pond suffered from lack of oxygen, especially during the summer months.
With donations and grants and both paid and volunteer labor, the Friends of Shipley Nature Center and the City of Huntington Beach spearheaded a complete restoration. Included in the restoration was the removal of invasive, non-native plants, upgrade of the trail system, installed a drip irrigation system to enhance water conservation, and planted 50,000 California native plants. Water feature restoration included the creation of a freshwater stream to provide pond circulation and aeration. The stream will provide a powerful lure for migrating and resident birds. Restoration will greatly enhance habitat value for wildlife and will provide improved opportunities for environmental education.
Today the Center includes 4,000 feet of well-maintained trails that meander through several habitats, including oak woodlands, Torrey pines, meadows, and Blackbird Pond, a natural freshwater wetland with mature willows and sycamores. Within the Nature Center is a 1,500 sq. ft. Interpretive Building with exhibits on local wildlife and ecology.
Environmental Nature Center
1601 East 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA
Mission:
To provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature.
Vision:
The ENC inspires all generations to protect the natural world by serving as our community’s foremost authority on ecological responsibility, sustainable practices and environmental education.
Living Coast Discovery Center
1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista, CA
Mission Statement:
The Living Coast Discovery Center inspires care and exploration of the living Earth by connecting people with coastal animals, plants and habitats.
Vision Statement:
We inspire global stewardship of coastal wildlife and habitats.
About
The Discovery Center is not a natural history museum. Rescued birds thrive at exhibits like Raptor Row and Eagle Mesa. Owls, pelicans, gnatcatchers and eagles are just a few of our resident native birds.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing environmental education on coastal resource conservation, and instilling a respect for nature and wildlife in people of all ages.