Orange County CREEC

Orange County CREEC http://www.creec.org/region9b/ Volume 5, Issue 2 February 2008 Hidden Question Beginning this month, the winner of the ―Hidden Question‖ contest is going to be determined differently. Rather than the prize winner being the first person to contact me, I will have an ―opportunity drawing‖ for all of the individuals who contact me within 5 days. The winner of the drawing will receive the prize described below, and the rest of the participants will receive an appreciation gift. The deadline for submitting an answer for this newsletter is February 15, 5 p.m. Congratulations to Lori Whalen, Education Director at the Environmental Nature Center, who won the Hidden Question for the January issue. Thanks as well to Anna Liao, Gretchen Jacobs, Cheri Miller, Cristina Soto, Geordie Shaw, and Danielle Lopez who also participated and received appreciation gifts. The prize this month is the book Afoot & Afield: Orange County (2006 ed.). This book is a comprehensive hiking guide for O.C. Embedded within the text of this newsletter is a hidden question. To be entered into the drawing, follow the instructions in the question then contact me with your answer at HdelaMaza@ocde.us or 714-838-8990 by February 13, 5 p.m. Good Luck!  Inside This Issue 1 1 2, 3, 4 2, 5 6 7 8 8 Hidden Question Description Coordinator Communications: Show the Planet Some Love Training Time! Great Grants / Cool Contests Rad Resources Provider Perspectives Exciting Environmental / Science Education Events: Highlights Take the Lead 12th Annual Teen Summit Coordinator Communications: Show Our Planet Some Love I was reflecting on what to write this month, and I decided to reprise what I wrote in February of 2007 because it is still applicable! This year I have a proposal for Valentine’s Day. How about Showing Our Planet Some Love? Here are some ideas to get you started: - Rather than buying Valentine’s Day cards, have your students/children/family members make their own cards by reusing materials such as scrap paper, milk cartons, junk mail (those enclosed return envelopes are handy)! - Rather than exchanging cards, how about exchanging good deeds, favors, or spending time together? In your classroom, this could extend Valentine’s Day all the way through the end of the year! - Show someone you love him or her by taking him or her out on a nature walk. - Show Our Planet Some Love by doing a “Dash for Trash” in the schoolyard, with your family at the beach or park, or in the neighborhood. May you and those with whom you work, live, and play find a “natural” way to celebrate. - Helen This newsletter is a monthly publication of the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC)  Network in Orange County. The CREEC Network is administered by the California Department of Education, Environmental Education Program, in partnership with numerous agencies. In Orange County, CREEC is housed by the Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors® (http://www.insidetheoutdoors.org). Information is compiled from several sources, including NSTA Express, NSTA, CSTA, EE-NEWS@NAAEE, CREEC, Information Exchange for Marine Educators, Energenius, Project Learning Tree, GLEF Edutopia News, CABAP, CFAITC, Volunteer Center OC, and others. For more local events, training opportunities: http://www.creec.org/region9b/ Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 1 Training Time! (Opportunities listed here may be appropriate for Teachers, EE Providers, or other Educators. Visit the OC-CREEC website for other opportunities.) Great Grants & Cool Contests Environmental Literacy Grants for K-12 Ed. Pre-proposal Deadline: February 20, 2008 http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/funding_opps.html NOAA's Office of Education is requesting applications for environmental literacy projects in support of K-12 education. Funded projects will be between 1- 5 years in duration and will promote changes in K-12 education to expand the amount of Earth System Science taught in the classroom and improve student learning and application of that subject. Projects are encouraged to incorporate NOAA data, data visualizations, and resources and to further the use of Earth System Science concepts related to NOAA's mission goals. Projects are also encouraged to collaborate with NOAA entities as partners and connect to projects previously funded by NOAA. Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2008 Awards for K-6 Teachers) http://www.paemst.org/ Nomination Deadline: March 1, 2008 (flexible) Application Due: May 1, 2008 The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation's highest commendation for K-12 math and science teachers. The award recognizes a combination of sustained and exemplary work, both inside and outside the classroom. Each award includes a grant of $10,000 from the National Science Foundation directly to the recipient. Awardees use the money at their discretion to promote math and science education. They also: receive an expense-paid trip to Washington D.C., attend seminars and engage in professional discussions with their peers and with national legislators and education policy-makers, and receive a selection of gifts from private-sector contributors to the program. Arbor Day Poster Contest Deadline: March 1, 2008 http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/ The poster contest is open to all California fifth graders. The theme for 2007 is ―Trees are Terrific...Inside and Out!‖ To request a free curriculum kit, visit the website or contact Kay Antunez at 916-653-7958 or Kay.Antunez@fire.ca.gov Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) Statewide Conference “Unless…”, April 25 – 27, 2008 at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, CA Call for Presenters postmark deadline: February 15, 2008 http://www.aeoe.org/conference/spring/2008/work shops/call_for_presenters.html Suggested Workshop Topics: Any topic that clearly supports the conference theme of "Unless…‖ such as ―Unless we Practice Sustainability,‖ ―Unless we Celebrate Diversity.‖ A 50% discount off the registration fee is provided to each accepted workshop presenter. For additional information about presenting a workshop contact Steve Morris at stevomm@hotmail.com or call 619-301-1645. Cesar Chavez Curriculum Training February 19, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Location: Volunteer Center Orange County. Registration: http://tinyurl.com/23nqe7 This is a free workshop & training session on the life, work and principles of Cesar E. Chavez. Participants will receive free resources and tools to create Service-learning projects and materials. Educators' Open House: “Periodic Table” at Discovery Science Center; March 3; 4 - 7 p.m. http://www.discoverycube.org/education.aspx?q=11 Description: This educational event includes a hands-on science workshop on standard-based concepts, and exploratory visits to the Center’s exhibits related to the topic. Contact: 714-913-5012 Earthroots Field School: Wilderness Survival Skills for Adults March 9, 2008; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Enrollment: http://www.earthrootsfieldschool.org Questions: Mark: 714-307-9481 Cost: $30/person Practicing primitive wilderness survival skills and getting to know wild plants is one way to reconnect with the Earth in a very intimate and real way. Join Mark Hay and Jodi Levine to learn very simple, practical skills that can keep you safe in an emergency and also reawaken your connection to wild places in O.C. continued on page 3 Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 2 Training Time! continued from page 2 American Museum of Natural History: Seminars on Science (online) Registration Closes: March 10, 2008 (early reg. closes February 25, 2008 – save $50!) Questions: seminfo@amnh.org http://www.amnh.org/learn/calendar.php?current=1 in their classrooms. Waves, Wetlands, and Watersheds Educator Workshop, March 31, 2008; 4 – 6 p.m. at the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Ed. Ctr., HB Register by March 25: Annie Kohut Frankel at afrankel@coastal.ca.gov or 415-597-5888. Attend this workshop to receive a FREE copy of the California Coastal Commission's science activity guide, Waves, Wetlands, and Watersheds. You’ll try out some of the activities in the guide and get an overview of the other free educational resources and programs the Coastal Commission has available. Prof. growth credit available. For more information about the curriculum, visit http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/waves/waves1.html Courses may meet your local professional development needs, including degree, certification, NCLB and salary gradation requirements. Spring Courses II (March 24 – May 4, 2008) - Earth: Inside and Out – Dynamic Earth Systems - The Ocean System – Integrated Science - Evolution - The Solar System - Genetics, Genomics, Genethics - The Diversity of Fishes “Restoration Ecology” talks by Dr. Peter Bowler and Dr. Milan Mitrovich, sponsored by the Environmental Coalition for the Orange County Great Park March 14, 2008; 7 – 9 p.m. Location: IRWD Headquarters, (Multipurpose Room; 15600 Sand Canyon, Irvine) Information: Stephanie Pacheco, stephaniepa@socal.rr.com or 714-963-1658. See the flyer at http://www.creec.org/region9b for additional information. Forestry Institute for Teachers Application Deadline: March 14, 2008 Date/Location Options: June 15-21: Plumas County-UC Forestry Camp June 22-28: Tuolumne County-Camp Chinquapin, Pinecrest July 6-12: Shasta County-Camp McCumber, Shingletown July 13-19: Humboldt County-Humboldt State U. http://www.forestryinstitute.org/ The Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) is a multi-day residence workshop. The goal of FIT is to provide K-12 teachers with knowledge, skills and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology and forest resource management practices. The program brings together natural resource specialists and teachers, working side by side to gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of forest ecosystems and human use of natural resources. All meals and lodging are free. Teachers are provided with extensive classroom and curriculum materials, and a $200 stipend on completion and implementation of a forest related curriculum unit or project conducted Pali Institute Teacher Weekend Getaway April 4 – 6, 2008 Schedule for the weekend: http://www.paliinstitute.com/blast/schedule.html Reserve your spot ASAP! http://www.paliinstitute.com/blast/reservation.html Fourth to eighth grade teachers who feel passionately about Outdoor Education and teach in Southern California are invited to spend a free weekend, lodging and meals included. Pali Institute is an outdoor education and science camp facility situated in the beautiful San Bernardino mountain's minutes from Lake Arrowhead and 90 minutes from Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties. O.C. Science Education Association Free teacher workshops coming up, stay tuned: March 2, 2008: Whale Watch Boat Tour, N.B. May 4, 2008: Oak Canyon Nature Center May 14, 2008: O.C. Sheriff's Crime Lab UCI Public Lecture Series on Brain, Learning and Memory http://www.cnlm.uci.edu Location: Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA Tickets: Free – first come first served March 19, 2008; 7:30 p.m. ―Generating New Brain Cells in the Adult Brain,” Dr. Fred H. Gage May 14, 2008; 7:30 p.m. “How to Get Old: Lessons from 90-year-olds,” Dr. Claudia Kawas continued on page 4 Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 3 Training Time! continued from page 3 “Skeptic Society” Lectures at CalTech U. http://www.skeptic.com/lectures/category/upcoming/ Location: Baxter Lecture Hall, CalTech, Tickets: $10 - first come first served at the door “Physics of the Impossible,” Dr. Michio Kaku, March 27, 2008; 7 p.m. “Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes & Dolphins,” Dr. Craig Stanford April 27, 2008; 2 p.m. “Beyond Human: Living with Robots & Cyborgs,” Dr. Greg Benford and Dr. Elisabeth Malartre; May 25, 2008; 2 p.m. AEOE Statewide Conference “Unless…”, April 25 – 27, 2008 at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, CA Early Reg. Postmark Deadline: March 29 Cost: $140 Conference registration information available in mid-February at http://www.aeoe.org The cost includes 5 meals, lodging for two nights, entertainment, keynote speaker Lynne Cherry (author of The Great Kapoke Tree), Jacque Nuñez – Acjachemen storyteller and educator, trailbuilder Roger Bell, Friday night Swing Dancing taught by Alec Marken, over 70 workshops to choose from, networking opportunities, and a beautiful setting. 2008 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference: June 25 – 28 in Costa Mesa Full registration, before May 1, 2008, is $380 and includes 7 meal events, all sessions and the field trip option of your choice. http://www.cfaitc.org/Conference/national.php Teachers, volunteers and ag. enthusiasts are invited to get an up-close look at innovative and cutting-edge farming and ranching practices and explore new and exciting ways to integrate agriculture into the classroom. This year's theme, The Most Bountiful Place on Earth, will be explored over four activitypacked days including workshops, miniworkshops, field trips and make 'n' takes. Invited speakers include A.G. Kawamura, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Barbara Morgan, teacher and astronaut, and Dr. Carl Winter, food toxicologist. 3rd Annual Innovation in Education Summit May 9, 2008; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Location: Tiger Woods Learning Center Registration Fee: $75 and includes a hot buffet breakfast, lunch and all Summit materials. Questions: Amanda Ford; innovation@tomorrow.org; 949-609-4660 ext. 12 Co-sponsored by Project Tomorrow and AeA. This annual event convenes education, business, community, political, and parent leaders from throughout O.C. to discuss and evaluate the challenges and opportunities for improving K-12 science, math, and technology education. The goal of this summit is for the participants to formulate key strategies they can work on together to ensure that O.C. graduates are prepared. Hidden Question http://www.creec.org/region9b Visit several of the other web pages that can be reached through links via the main Region 9b page. Find two items that are useful. Contact Helen (HdelaMaza@ocde.us or 714-838-8990) and identify the two useful items and why they are of interest to you. All entries received between February 11 and February 15 will be entered into an opportunity drawing. The winner will receive Afoot & Afield, all others will receive a gift. Environmental Education and Service-Learning in the Tropics, Costa Rica; June 7 – 19, 2008 Information: Dr. Sarah Haines, 410-704-2926 The course focuses on tropical ecology concepts using the Project Learning Tree PreK-8 guide and some of the secondary modules. Syllabus and flyer available at: http://www.creec.org/region9b National Parks Seek Teacher Rangers http://www.nps.gov/wupa/forteachers/trt.htm The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program links National Park units with teachers from lowincome school districts. Under this program, selected teachers spend the summer working as park rangers, often living in the park. They perform various duties depending on their interests and the needs of the park, including developing and presenting interpretive programs for the general public, staffing the visitor center desk, developing curriculum-based materials for the park, or taking on special projects. Then, during the school year, these teacher-rangers bring the parks into the classroom by developing and presenting curriculum-based lesson plans that draw on their summer experiences. Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 4 Great Grants & Cool Contests continued from page 2 continued on page 5 animals that live in the habitat. American Stars of Teaching Nomination Deadline: March 31, 2008 http://www.t2tweb.us/AmStar/About.asp American Stars of Teaching recognizes and honors superior teachers with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies, and making a difference in the lives of their students. Captain Planet Foundation Grants Deadlines: March 31, 2008; June 30, 2008; September 30, 2008; December 31, 2008 http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/ The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to support hands-on environmental projects. The objective of the Foundation is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Grant rewards up to $2,500 are available. Be the Change! Share the Story! School Video Contest BP's A+ for Energy Grant Program Deadline: March 7, 2008 http://www.aplusforenergy.com BP will award up to $1 million in grants to preK-12 California teachers for innovative classroom, after-school, extra-curricular, or summer projects focused on energy and/or energy conservation aligned with the application criteria. Grants of $5,000 or $10,000 will be awarded directly to teachers, based on the application budget submitted. Ecology/Environmental Teaching Award Nomination Deadline: March 15, 2008 http://www.nabt.org/sites/S1/index.php?p=290 Sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology, this award honors a secondary teacher who has successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative approach in the teaching of ecology/environmental science and has carried his/her commitment to the environment into the community. Vernier's sponsorship of this award includes $1,000 toward travel to the Professional Development Conference, and $500 of Vernier equipment. Junior Duck Stamp Program Art Contest Deadline: March 15, 2008 Open to students grades K - 12 http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck The California Waterfowl Association teams with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to educate youth (K-12) about wetlands and waterfowl through this program. Youth are invited to participate in a free annual art competition that helps tie together lessons on animal form and function, plant science, observation, wetland habitats, and more. The website has rules, entry forms, and free teaching materials. Wyland Clean Water Challenge Art Contest Deadline: March 21, 2008 http://www.wylandcleanwaterchallenge.org/ind ex.cfm?mid=4&sid=11 Wyland Ocean Challenge offers a nationwide art and science contest. Have your students create individual works of art or a giant group mural of any aquatic habitat with above and below the water views along with plants and Deadline: March 31, 2008 http://www.quantumshift.tv/schools/ -Open to students in grades 1-12 -Develop and execute an environmental, human rights or social justice project -Submit 2 short videos about the project -Grand Prize is $50,000 in cash/prizes for the school. Energy Commission Contest (grades 3 – 8) Deadline: April 25, 2008 http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/art_gallery/2009contest/ Have your students create artwork for the Energy Commission's 2009 Energy Calendar. Twelve entries will be chosen to illustrate the calendar for the year 2009. Each of the 12 selected artists will receive a $250 U.S. Savings Bond and copies of the Energy 2009 Calendar. Teachers of winning students will receive a cash award to purchase educational materials for their classroom. Tiger Woods Fist Pump Moment Contest Deadline: Last day of each month http://www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org/submit_your_ fist_pump.php Have your kids video tape (or email) their proudest moments, send them to the website, and enter a competition to get prizes, be posted on the website, and be entered to possibly win a scholarship to college! Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 5 Rad Resources It's a Small World http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/micropolitan/ The apparently fictitious ―Institute for the Promotion of the Less than One Millimeter‖ offers a visual smorgasbord of microbiological images. Wim van Egmond describes his ―Micropolitan Museum‖ as portraits of what he can scoop up with a pipette or tweezers. He's got marine and freshwater collections, a botanical garden, and an insectarium. The latter two aren't truly invisible— although the structural details that van Egmond captures would be missed by the naked eye. “Raptors in the City” http://www.raptorsinthecity.org ―Raptors in the City‖ is a real-time, inquiry-based science and technology program that stars the peregrine falcon. The online portion of ―Raptors in the City‖ guides children through nesting season (roughly late February to June) as they watch the still rare falcons live via cameras mounted on a skyscraper. The curriculum supports one semester of study, and students learn environmental, biological, and technological lessons, as well as research skills, tied to national science and technology standards. Curriculum materials and books for falcon study are available at low cost. It's easy - no software to install. BiologyBrowser http://www.biologybrowser.org/ Biology Browser is a free website offering resources for the life sciences information community. You can browse by organism, subject, and geography. The Guide to the Animal Kingdom offers a simplified (and somewhat abbreviated) classification scheme for the whole animal kingdom. A searchable database offers links to information and resources for educators and students. Actionbioscience.org http://actionbioscience.org The American Institute of Biological Sciences hosts this website that promotes bioscience education and literacy. It features teacher-written lesson plans and peer-reviewed articles that focus on important current issues in areas such as biodiversity, the environment, genomics, biotechnology, and evolution. Select articles are translated into Spanish. Cogno’s Weekly Challenges http://www.cogno.com/challenge Educators who sign up will receive a weekly email with a one-page attachment that includes a student challenge, ready to be printed and photocopied for students. Topics include astronomy, forces and motion, and life sciences. Cogno’s Challenge is free and is recommended for grades 3 – 10. Smithsonian Resources Aligned with State Standards http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/ index.html The Smithsonian website offers a searching engine that enables you to search through 1,300 educational resources that align to specific standards. You can find lesson plans, virtual exhibitions, photographs and databases of research information that apply to a particular subject at a given grade level. Songs for Teaching http://SongsforTeaching.com This website offers music related to science and many other disciplines. Lyrics are available, and information is provided regarding downloading specific songs or purchasing CDs. STEM Resources for High School Classes http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWEb/hs/home/home/index.htm The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed an OpenCourseWare website that provides resources for teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Online Science Videos http://www.scienceunleashed.ie/videos.aspx Video selection ranges from ―Reproduction‖ and ―Ecology‖ to ―States of Matter.‖ Howard Hughes Medical Institute http://www.hhmi.org/catalog/main?action=home You can browse and order a variety of free award-winning publications, videos and materials. For ongoing school programs, remember to check out CREEC’s Online Resource Directory at http://www.creec.org/region9b/ Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 6 Provider Perspectives This section of the newsletter is specifically for naturalists, docents, interpreters, and any other staff of Environmental Education and Science Education Providers. EARTH DAY 2008 Please email me (HdelaMaza@ocde.us) as soon as possible with information about your Earth Day 2008 events. Also, please post them on the ―Calendar‖ feature at http://www/creec.org/region9b . I have already had numerous teachers and media people contact me asking about Earth Day Events! Children’s Water Education Festival: Call for Presenters (and Volunteers!) April 15 and 16, 2008 Hidden Valley Park, Irvine http://www.ocwd.com/_html/cwef.htm The Children's Water Education Festival is the largest event of its kind. More than 6,000 fourth and fifth grade students and their teachers participate in this nationally recognized festival each year. Seventy-plus water conservation activities are presented by local organizations and Providers – that means you! Please visit the website or contact Gina Pineda at gpineda@ocwd.com or 714-378-3323. Shade Structure Grant Program Deadline: March 5, 2008 http://www.aad.org/public/sun/grants.html The American Academy of Dermatology's (Academy) Shade Structure Program are grant awards ($8,000 each) for the purchase of permanent shade structures designed to provide shade and ultraviolet (UV) ray protection for outdoor areas. The Academy also provides a permanent sign to be displayed near the shade structure promoting the importance of sun safety. The Academy receives support for this program from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company. Community Action for a Renewed Environment Grants Deadline: March 17, 2008 http://www.epa.gov/care/ The EPA funds Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grants, a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for a community to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment. Through CARE, a community creates a partnership that implements solutions to reduce releases of toxic pollutants and minimize people's exposure to them. Fundraising Green is a Southern California based fundraising company that has created the first viable Zero-administration, Eco-friendly fundraiser for schools, clubs, churches, temples, foundations and nonprofits. To this end, we have created the first ever Green Coupon Book for Greater Los Angeles and Orange County area schools and organizations to sell for their fundraisers. It's called the myGreenSpark Redemption Book. Redeem coupons from the book and redeem your impact on the environment. Raise money for your cause while raising the awareness of consumers regarding Conscious or Green Consumerism. http://www.FundraisingGreen.com Fundraising Possibility: http://www.goodsearch.com California State Parks Foundation Competitive Grants Program Deadline: Rolling http://www.calparks.org/programs/competitive-grant/ Information: Alisha: 916-442-2119 or alisha@calparks.org CSPF offers competitive grants (usually ranging from $200-$6,000) to benefit our State Parks System and to support the Department’s mission. Qualified non-profit groups, as well as California state park units and park agencies, are encouraged to apply. In general (and as funds permit), CSPF grants are targeted in four main areas: Volunteer Efforts and Recognition; Education and Interpretation; Natural and Cultural Resource Protection; and Capacity Building for cooperating associations. The Foundation also makes a number of discretionary grants each year that may fall outside the main target areas. Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 7 Exciting Environmental & Science Education Events! For School Programs, visit the “Resource Directory” at http://www.creec.org/region9b/ Visit the “Calendar” section of the website for many more local opportunities. At the overlook at the end of the Pelican Point boardwalk binoculars, whale paraphernalia, whale body parts, and even games are available for visitors. Docents are present to answer questions. Oak Restoration at Casper's Wilderness Park with Earthroots Field School February 24, 2008; 2 p.m. RSVP: jodilevine@onebox.com http://www.earthrootsfieldschool.org Please join us as we transplant the young seedlings that our students grew from seed and learn how to tend to young oak trees. Volunteers who wish to participate in the long term care of the oaks will receive on-the-spot training and have an opportunity to go to Casper's on a weekly, monthly or bi-monthly basis to water and tend to the trees. Hawk and Owl Banding Trips at Audubon CA Starr Ranch Sanctuary March 29, 30, April 27, or May 10 http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/FieldTrips/Ha wknOwlBandingTrips.html Irvine Ranch Conservancy Visit the website for many activities going on in the Irvine Ranch area https://www.irvineranchlandreserve.org/activities/ index.asp Orange County Harbors, Beaches, and Parks Visit the website for many activities going on in our county’s parks http://www.ocparks.com/events/default.asp Take the Lead 12th Annual Teen Summit 9th – 12th Grade Teachers Bring Your Students! at Cal State Fullerton: Titan Student Union http://www.taketheleadoc.org February 29, 2008; 7:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The 2008 summit will feature keynote speaker Wing Lam, Co-Founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco, who has made an impact on his community through service in remarkable ways. This summit is to promote volunteerism, develop leadership skills, and increase awareness of social trends at local, state and national levels. Students will choose from more than 20 workshops geared toward inspiring them to ―take the lead‖ in making change, taking social action, and positively influencing the world around them. Discover Nature Saturday Program: Nature Clues at Oak Canyon Nature Center – Free! February 23, 2008; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Information: 714-998-8380 http://www.anaheim.net/ocnc Mushroom Walk at the Environmental Nature Center (Newport Beach) February 16, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Cost: $2/person RSVP: 949-645-8489 http://www.encenter.org The moist winter months are when you’re most likely to find fruiting bodies of fungus. A diverse variety of fungi will soon be popping up throughout the Center as a result of the recent rains. Mushroom walk participants will join wildlife biologist Gregg Miller as he searches the Center to see what’s coming up. Find out how experts identify fungi! University of California Master Gardeners at Santa Ana Zoo February 16 and 17; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. http://www.santaanazoo.org Fun activities and helpful information for the gardening enthusiast. Sunset Hike at Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy Date: Feb. 24, 2008; 4:15 – 6:30 p.m. Donation: $10/adult; $5/child; Free/Members Call 949-489-9778 for reservations and directions; http://www.theconservancy.org Take a walk up Shady Canyon to North Ridge – approximately 3.5 miles - to watch the sunset. See the flowers as they close and listen as the birds settle down at the end of the day. Enjoy the change in temperature and the smells of the evening in wild Orange County. Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. Gray Whale Sunday at Crystal Cove State Park; February 17, 2008; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/ Parking: $10 Information: Winter Bonnin: wbonnin@parks.ca.gov; 949-497-7647 Orange County CREEC (http://www.creec.org/region9b) 8