New Exhibition Open Now!
Sun, January 1st, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Tools For Change is The Ecology Center’s new interactive exhibition that explores the myriad instruments—literal and figurative—that can be used to achieve positive ecological change and a culture of sustainability at the household and community level.
Starting December 3, Tools For Change will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 AM – 5 PM, and by reservation for school groups Monday through Friday.
Splash! How Good Water Works wins Golds
Wed, November 30th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Known for its innovative approach to environmental education, The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano collaborated with the design firm Zago and surf apparal brand Hurley to create the Splash! How Good Water Works water conservation exhibit located at the Center through August 2011. The Splash! exhibit has now received a Gold Award in the category of Environments for the 2011 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), showing how good design can do more than look good; it can drive positive changes in the world.
Check out the video recap of Splash! How Good Water Works and pledge to make a difference!
Thank you Hurley H20 for your generous support in making Splash! a success at The Ecology Center!
Food Preservation 101
Sat, November 5th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Preserving the bounty of fall.
Join us for our November Backyard Skills workshop and learn the skills to preserve your garden’s bounty for months to come. Cathy McKnight, from What a Dish Cafe and Catering, will be here to show us the ropes of food preservation. Each participant will leave with the skills to preserve at home as well as a sample from the workshop.
Saturday, November 5th, from 1pm to 3pm.
$20 Members
$25 Non-Members
Call 949.443.4223 to sign up or for more information.
Farm to Fork
Sat, November 5th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Beginning with an exploration of The Ecology Center’s veggie garden and ending with the preparation of small-plate meals alongside professional local chefs, this children’s program emphasizes the journey real food takes from “Farm to Fork”. Parents may choose to stay through the duration of class or drop students off. Recommended for children ages 6 to 12.
In this month's Farm to Fork backyard baker, Chris Blank, will be teaching the kids how to make puff pastry meals, both savory and sweet.
Ecotoberfest
Sat, October 29th, 2011 at 3:00 PM
Join us Saturday, October 29th from 3-5pm, for an exclusive beer talk and tasting with New Belgium Brewing's own Matty Gilliand.
Hear from an expert about making award winning, sustainably produced beers and taste a unique collection of New Belgium Brewing's finest. Ryan Wilson of SideDoor is providing the perfect Ecotoberfest pairing of pretzels and mustard.
Ticket prices:
Members - $15
Non-Members - $25
Brew Your Own
Sat, October 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM
If you’ve always wanted to learn the age-old process of making one of the earth’s tastiest beverages, then this is the workshop for you. Join us for a Backyard Skills all about brewing beer at home.
Jeff Williams of O’Shea Brewing Company will be here to teach us the ins and outs of becoming the brewmaster of your own home. Home brew kits will be available to purchase at the workshop.
Splash! How Good Water Works
Mon, October 10th, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Juggy and Splash! How Good Water Works recieved Gold at the 2011 IDSA Awards in Environment.
Thanks to Hurley's H2O Initiative for the support!
A special thanks to Muriel Degerine and Manuel Toscano from ZAGO, and Andrew Seiger and Gerard Basil for making Juggy and Splash! a reality at The Ecology Center.
Eco Labs
Sat, September 17th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
The Eco-Labs are a series of outdoor learning stations that collectively demonstrate the cyclical nature of humans’ impact on the environment in five focus areas: water, food, waste, energy, and shelter. Designed to be experienced sequentially, each Eco-Lab station promotes participatory learning, systems thinking, experimentation, and observation. The lab activities and curriculum are intended to offer enough flexibility so that The Ecology Center docents and/or teachers themselves can tailor the Eco-Lab experience to age groups ranging from 5 to 18 years old, making our message of environmental stewardship relevant to visitors of all ages.
The Eco-Labs consist of five learning stations:
The Water Lab demonstrates the hydrologic cycle, including a greywater system, rainwater harvesting catchment and a bioswale as opportunities to complete the cycle at home. The Water Shed serves as our mobile, interactive, water education piece that compliments the outdoor lab.
The Food Lab features a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds and an outdoor classroom, where participants learn about seed germination, soil quality, the life cycle of plants, and food harvesting and preparation.
The Waste Lab, which includes a chicken coop, orchard, vermicomposting bins, and a recycling demonstration—shows participants how waste is an important part of natural cycles. Students feed worms and scraps to the chickens, and then collect manure to fertilize the trees in the orchard.
The Energy Lab encourages participants to explore the different energy sources and needs of The Ecology Center’s home, the historic Congdon House. Participants learn about passive solar orientation, energy efficiency and alternative technologies, such as our solar panel system.
The Shelter Lab is the final station of the Eco-Labs series, and includes native plants and a traditional kiiche shelter. Here, participants learn about the historical relationship between people and plants and how those living in the area before us relied on their knowledge of native landscape and environmental cycles for survival.
The Eco-Labs will serve as the focus of our school field trips, for general visitors during public open hours, and for other special events for throughout the year.
Green Feast 2011
Sat, September 10th, 2011 at 4:00 PM
From all over Southern and Central California, organic farmers, ranchers, wine makers and renowned chefs will contribute their expertise and "the fruits of their labor", to serve up The Ecology Center’s third annual Green Feast on Saturday, September 10, 2011.
This year's Green Feast kicks-off with the first-annual Eco-App-Off, a sustainable appetizer competition pairing 10 renowned local chefs with renowned local farmers and fishermen.
Green Feast tickets are on sale! Members only, $180, $225 (non-members).
Tickets Extremely Limited
Sat, September 10th, 2011 at 4:00 PM
With Green Feast only one month away, our mouths are watering with excitement! We think you'll agree when you take a look at the menu for the year's most elegant dinner feast. If you love locally grown, organic food and the idea of dining alongside sustainable farmers and purveyors, then buy your tickets now. Seats are extremely limited, reserve yours today!
First Course prepared by Jenny Ross of 118 Degrees
Farm Fresh Crudite (As shown in the photo)
Second Course prepared by Shachi Mehra of Tamarind of London
Chili Rubbed Thresher Shark with Grilled Vegetables and Cilantro Pesto
Third Course prepared by Rob Wilson of Montage Laguna Beach
Pig, Three Ways: Cider Glazed Braised, Smoked, and Grilled, with Homemade Sauerkraut and Warm Pee Wee Potato Salad
Vegetarian Course prepared by Jenny Ross of 118 Degrees
Vegetable Lasagna with Marinated Mushroom Chutney
Fourth Course prepared by Yves & Elyssa Fournier of Andrei's Conscous Cuisine
Wood Grilled Flat Breads, cooked in The Ecology Center's Cob Oven, Tree Ripe Plum Tarts with Almond Cream, served with Kendall Creme Fraiche and Backyard Bee's Honey
New to this year's Green Feast is Orange County's first-ever sustainable appetizer competition, The Eco App Off. Eleven of the region's most celebrated chefs have teamed up with local farmers and fishermen to battle it out for the crown. Guests will decide live at the event!
Christian Beamish / Aug. 18
Thu, August 18th, 2011 at 6:30 PM
To continue the dialogue around some of today’s most pressing – and most tangible – environmental issues, The Ecology Center is pleased to announce season three of Basic Needs.
How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs impact the health of our community and our environment? Find out all summer long in an open-forum to explore and discuss critical topics with cutting-edge thinkers.
Join Us!
August 18th
Christian Beamish - Author, "By Sail and Oar—the Cormorant Journeys"
Join us for an evening conversation, wine, beer and light fare from 6:30pm-9pm. Registration for these unique events is $10 for members/$25 for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets online or by calling 949.443.4223.
Check out the video of this year's Basic Needs with Mark Smith!
Possible only in partnership with:
Hurley H20, New Belgium Brewing, Whole Foods Market, GOOD, Sambazon, Vita Coco, Guayaki
Worm Bin Construction
Sat, August 6th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Work with Worms.
Join us and construct your very own worm bin. Worm bins make composting vegetable scraps very easy, yielding a high quality organic fertilizer for your indoor and outdoor plants. This Backyard Skills workshop is FREE for San Juan Capistrano residents.
$15 + $20 MATERIALS FEE (MEMBERS)
$25 + $20 MATERIALS FEE (NON-MEMBERS)
Backyard Skills is a D.I.Y workshop series delivered in conjunction with The Ecology Center’s demonstrations in green living. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All workshops are held at The Ecology Center.
Summer Eco-Camps
Mon, August 1st, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Join The Ecology Center this summer as we launch our first ever Summer Camps! We are offering two sessions, one for kids aged 6 to 9 and the other for kids 9 to 12. Both camps are centered around our outdoor, interactive Eco-Labs and promote participatory learning, systems thinking, experimentation, and observation. On the last day of camp participants will take part in our Farm to Fork experience where they will harvest and prepare their own lunch. Each camp includes a take-home Eco-Kit.
Registration begins April 30, 2011. Early registration for members begins April 23, 2011.
Eco-Labs Camp
5 days $185 – August 1st-5th 11am-3pm
Age: 6-9
Tyler Valiquette / July 21
Thu, July 21st, 2011 at 6:30 PM
To continue the dialogue around some of today’s most pressing – and most tangible – environmental issues, The Ecology Center is pleased to announce season three of Basic Needs.
How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs impact the health of our community and our environment? Find out all summer long in an open-forum to explore and discuss critical topics with cutting-edge thinkers.
Join Us!
July 21st
Tyler Valiquette - Founder, COO, Catapult Design
The majority of our world's population lacks access to life's basic needs. We develop and implement human-centered products that help them thrive.
Join us for an evening conversation, wine, beer and light fare from 6:30pm-9pm. Registration for these unique events is $10 for members/$25 for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets online or by calling 949.443.4223.
Possible only in partnership with:
Hurley H20, New Belgium Brewing, Whole Foods Market, GOOD, Sambazon, Vita Coco, Guayaki
Seedballs and Compost Teas
Sat, July 9th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Plan for the future.
Join us, Saturday July 9th, for a comprehensive garden fertility workshop including two hands-on DIY skills; seedballs and homemade compost teas. Seedballs are fun guerilla gardening accessories but also work great teamed up with cover crop seed to help bring fertility to your organic garden soils. Compost teas might be the cheapest and easiest way to fabricate your own homemade garden fertilizers!
$15 (MEMBERS)
$25 (NON-MEMBERS)
Backyard Skills is a D.I.Y workshop series delivered in conjunction with The Ecology Center’s demonstrations in green living. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All workshops are held at The Ecology Center.
Mark Smith / June 16th
Thu, June 16th, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Due to a family emergency, Tinker Hatfiled will be unable to join us Thursday. We are more than excited to announce that Mark Smith, Global Creative Direcor of the Jordan Brand and 20-year Nike Creative will be sitting in. You won't want to miss it!
Join us, June 16th, as we kick of this year's Basic Needs with a truely inspirational design thinker, Mark Smith.
How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs impact the health of our community and our environment? Find out all summer long in an open-forum to explore and discuss critical topics with cutting-edge thinkers.
June 16th
Mark Smith - Global Creative Director Jordan, Nike Inc.
July 21st
Tyler Valiquette - Founder, COO, Catapult Design
August 18th
Christian Beamish - Author, "By Sail and Oar—the Cormorant Journeys"
Join us for an evening conversation, wine, beer and light fare from 6:30pm-9pm. Registration for these unique events is $10 for members/$25 for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets online or by calling 949.443.4223.
Possible only in partnership with:
Hurley H20, New Belgium Brewing, Whole Foods Market, GOOD, Sambazon, Vita Coco, Guayaki
Pedal Power Video
Sat, June 11th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly at our first annual Pedal Power. Check out the video for a glimpse.
Pedal Power is about building bicycle literacy in our community with some basic bicycle workshops, a family ride and a picnic.
Join us for FREE bicycle workshops including maintenance 101 and hand-made screen-printed bicycle flags. A group ride and FREE Chipotle picnic will follow the workshops and raffle. Did we mention that we’re raffling off a special New Belgium Brewing custom bicycle and more!
Sponsored by:
New Belgium Brewing
Chipotle Mexican Grill
The Bicycle Tree
Buy My Bikes
Veggie Box Construction
Sat, June 4th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Grow your own veggies.
Join us, Saturday June 4th, 1pm for a special Backyard Skills workshop - design and build your own container garden. In collaboration with furniture designer Elliott Marks, we'll be designing unique new container gardens. The workshop will run through the entire process from construction through planting basics. Everyone will leave with their very own garden!
Backyard Skills a DIY Handbook
Tue, May 31st, 2011 at 3:00 PM
This first edition of Backyard Skills offers a collection of 19 Do-It-Yourself solutions, practices and projects to help get you going. Divided up into five themed chapters – WATER, ENERGY, FOOD, SHELTER and WASTE – Backyard Skills was inspired by The Ecology Center’s Do-It-Yourself workshop series held on site in 2009-2010.
This means that real-life folks, members of our local and your global community, have already gotten a taste of how these simple projects can make a big difference. And, now, it’s your turn to put these ideas to work on a bigger scale.
In fact, our hope is that this manual becomes dog-eared and faded from so much use, and that, when you’ve worked your way through it, you pass it on down to one of your friends over a bottle of your organic beer under your newly planted shade tree.
Dinner with a Purpose
Wed, May 25th, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser at Dana Hills Chipotle, May 25th 5-8pm. 50% of sales benefit The Ecology Center.
Please spread the word and bring a copy of this flyer with you to dinner.
Backyard Skills Brooklyn photos
Sat, May 21st, 2011 at 12:25 PM
The Ecology Center was invited to teach a Backyard Skills workshop in Brooklyn by Holiday Matinee. For our first event in NYC, we were greeted by over 100 eager participants ready to make the perfect urban garden, terrariums!
Thank you again to Holiday Matinee and Ford for your support in making this happen. We met many incredible friends along the way, and can't wait for our return. See you soon NYC!
View all the photos on our Flickr, as well as Holiday Matinee's.
Backyard Skills / Drought-tolerant Garden Design
Sat, May 7th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Join us, May 7th, 1pm, for a Garden Design 101 on drought-tolerant landscaping. The first half of the workshop we'll explore all the basics in what it means to garden "California Friendly". The second half we'll be learning some simple plant propagation techniques and making a potted succulent garden to take home.
Register online at theecologycenter.org or in advance by calling The Ecology Center at 949.443.4223.
Lend a Hand
Sat, April 30th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Lend a hand and volunteer at The Ecology Center, every bit counts.
We are an organization that believes that people can make a difference and we need your help! Volunteer opportunities include gardening, general maintenence and support, chicken care, and more.
Our garden team meets on Monday at 2pm, join us! The last Saturday of the month we host a full-on work party, 1-4pm.
For more info, contact David Marks: davidm@theecologycenter.org or call 949.443.4223.
Westways Magazine loves Juggy
Sat, April 16th, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Water World
(As seen in AAA's Westways Magazine, March/April 2011)
“The Juggernaut Monster,” a sculpture made of 365 five-gallon water bottles, greets you at “Splash! How Good Water Works,” the latest exhibit at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano. Like most art, it’s designed to make you think—in this case, about the 1,800 gallons of water the average Southern Californian uses daily.
“We believe that people can make a difference, and our programming is designed to provide the public with the tools to do just that,” says executive director Evan Marks. “‘Splash!’ seeks to inspire visitors to conserve water use through simple solutions.”
To wit, the exhibit, which runs through the end of August, offers ideas for reducing your “water footprint,” like turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth (eight gallons a day) and going to a car wash instead of washing your car at home (50 gallons per wash).
The center, which opened in 2008 in the 132-year-old Congdon House, has hosted more than 18,000 visitors, many of whom have participated in field trips and workshops that teach do-it-yourself skills for sustainable living. Upcoming events include Backyard Skills classes on water conservation and workshops on World Water Day (March 22) and Earth Day (April 22). 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano. 1-949-443-4223.
For more info on how to defeat this water wasting beast, aka our daily water footprint, visit our water resource pages.
2010 Year in Review
Sat, April 16th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
The seasons of 2010 seemed to blur into one, as they often do in Southern California. Maybe it was the cold-dreary Summer or that one record breaking hot day in October. Most likely it was the non-stop pace we committed ourselves to for a second year in a row. Dedicated to growing Orange County’s innovative eco-education center, The Ecology Center still has a lot of work to do.
We’re extremely proud of our progress in making the dream of inspiring a community to participate in everyday ecological solutions that make a difference. We thank you for your support. That’s right; you can make a difference. Thank you for being part of the solution!
The difference we've made all year looks like this.
Earth Day / April 16th
Sat, April 16th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Earth Day at The Ecology Center - April 16th
Start with your garden.
While every day is Earth Day at The Ecology Center, on April 16th we're opening our doors to the community for a special celebration.
Bring your family and friends for a full day of eco-education fun!
Backyard Skills / Water Workshops
Sat, April 2nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Backyard Skills is our monthly D.I.Y. workshop series, delivered in conjunction with The Ecology Center's demonstrations in Green Living. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All events are held at The Ecology Center, on the first Saturday of each month.
In partnership with Hurley's H20 initiative, our Backyard Skills Water Workshops provide the skills to design water systems which preserve this precious resource.
All events are held at The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano.
Register online at theecologycenter.org or in advance by calling The Ecology Center at 949.443.4223. Sign up for our 4 class pack for $75 plus materials fee.
Down with Juggy Design Challenge
Tue, March 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 AM
What would you do with 365, 5-gallon bottles?
The Ecology Center is launching a community design challenge with prizes (from Hurley and The Ecology Center) for winners announced on World Water Day, March 22nd.
Here's the challenge: Design a product or project using at least 300, 5-gallon bottles to inspire your community to decrease their water footprint. It could be 300 products or 1 large one. Most importantly, it has to promote water awareness and be part of the solution!
Stay tuned, full contest details will be announced February 18th on TheEcologyCenter.org and Hurley.com.
You saw what we did to represent the average southern Californian's daily water footprint of 1,800 gallons, thus 365, 5-gallon bottles. What would you do? What will you do to make a difference? Submit entries to mailto:info@theecologycenter.org.
2011 Calendar: Plan to Make a Difference
Mon, February 28th, 2011 at 2:43 PM
In 2011, plan to make a difference. Our annual calendar features countless ecological engagements and a seasonal veggie calendar to remind you of what's in season and when to plant what.
Stop by The Ecology Center for your FREE 2011 Calendar!
Backyard Skills / Fruit Tree Care 101
Sat, February 26th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
It's about time to get planting and caring for your fruit trees. Join us, for a special Backyard Skills with Doug Hibbard on fruit tree care 101. In this special Backyard Skills, we'll be learning all about fruit tree grafting and pruning.
Workshops includes taking home your grafted tree. $10 + $10 materials fee. $25 + $10 materials fee if you sign up day of class.
Down with Juggy
Sat, February 12th, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Come one, come all, Saturday February 12th, 2pm to defeat the Juggernaut. Many of you’ve met this water-wasting beast. Some haven’t. This is your last chance, he’s been defeated!
Designed to overwhelm just about anybody, this 13’ tall plastic monster represents the average southern Californian’s daily water footprint. That’s 365, 5-gallon bottles or 1,800 gallons/day!
The exhibition Splash! How Good Water Works has a simple mantra - defeat the Juggernaut. Within The Ecology Center you’ll find 10 fairly simple ways to defeat this water beast, dropping your daily water footprint from 1,800 to 950 gallons/day.
It’s been done, thanks in part to all of our neighbors, and the City of San Juan Capistrano. Juggy has been defeated!
Come celebrate Juggy’s defeat - Saturday February 12th, 2pm. We’ll be firing up the cob oven for pizzas (Juggy’s favorite), cold drinks and family fun!
Apprentice Pack
Mon, January 31st, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Be part of the solution!
Give and receive.
Throughout the season of giving, The Ecology Center is making it possible for you to give the gift of inspiration, knowledge and community.
Introducing The Ecology Center Apprentice Pack - $50!
Inspire a loved one to be part of the solution! Purchase your apprentice pack today at The Ecology Center or at SEED People's Market at The Camp in Costa Mesa.
The Ecology Center’s Apprentice Pack includes:
- Backyard Skills DIY sustainability handbook
- an organic cotton tote bag
- our The Ecology Center re-usable water bottle
- To-Go Ware re-usable utensils
- organic vegetable seeds
- organic teas
Journal Making at the Center for Living Peace
Sat, January 15th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
The Ecology Center & the Center for Living Peace present
Backyard Skills at the Center for Living Peace
Join us, January 15th, 1-3pm with Sasha Ritter and Shannon Lindsey-Frugis from LoveArt& for journal-making 101. Why not make your 2011 Journal! Create your own mini-journal or sketchbook using hand-made mulberry bark paper, natural hand-made cotton paper and recycled materials. Using your hands, your heart and natural materials connects you to the simple, peaceful rhythm of our planet and our community. Keeping a journal or sketchbook provides a way for us to reflect, contemplate and appreciate our lives and the things around us.
Please note: all ages are welcome and encouraged to sign up for this class where students learn to harness the power of the wind in a fun, creative and peaceful way. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives.
All events are held at the Center for Living Peace, on the third Saturday of each month. 4139 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Backyard Skills / Beeswax Candlemaking
Sat, December 11th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Made of natural materials, beeswax candles burn clean and much longer than candles derived from petroleum. Did we mention their fantastic smell? Get ready to pour and get giving!
Splash! How Good Water Works
Sat, December 11th, 2010 at 11:00 AM
How Good Water Works opens August 28th!
Join us for a provocative, one-of-a-kind exhibition exploring our daily water footprint. Do you know your water footprint?
While the world's poorest survive on less than five gallons a day, we continue to feed the Juggernaut monster. Since a 950-gallon daily footprint is considered a sustainable global standard, we still have some work to do. Visit The Ecology Center for 10 simple ways to do your part in defeating the Juggernaut.
Powered by Hurley's H2O Initiative
Join Us! December 4th 3-6pm
Sat, December 4th, 2010 at 3:00 PM
The Ecology Center is founded on the principle that people can make a difference. Individual actions can transform the community, elevating the health of our environment for future generations. We can create a diverse, safe, and healthy world.
Become a member today, and help spread the word of our goal for 500 new members.
Backyard Skills / Center for Living Peace
Sat, November 20th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Backyard Skills at The Center for Living Peace
Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All events are held at The Center for Living Peace, on the third Saturday of each month.
11/20/2010: Pine Needle Baskets with Jodi Levine of Earthroots Field School.
Weaving with natural materials awakens us to the intricate and inextricable web of life we are all woven into. From material collection to creation, basket making is a tradition that opens our hearts to feel gratitude for the gifts of the earth and the creative expression of those around us. Participants will use locally harvested pine needles, raffia and needles to start a basket, which may be completed at home. $25, plus $10 materials fee
4139 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Backyard Skills / CSA Basket Cooking
Sat, November 6th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Join us for a lesson in seasonal cooking featuring the goodies found inside a CSA Basket from South Coast Farms. $30 for non-members, $27 for members of The Ecology Center.
Gift a Membership
Mon, November 1st, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Supporting your community has never been so easy! Gift a membership of The Ecology Center today and support eco-educational programming for all ages, all year-long. Best of all, when you give, we give. For every gift membership you order, you will receive 50% off the price of attendance at one of our upcoming Backyard Skills workshops.
Backyard Skills / Wild Edibles Plant Walk
Sat, October 2nd, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Whether purposefully planted in a backyard garden or naturally growing in the wild, edibles are everywhere! Join Caroline Colesworthy on this nature walk where you'll learn about edibles that exist all around the places we live, work and play. Cost is $27 for members of The Ecology Center and $30 for non-members.
Backyard Skills / Center for Living Peace
Sat, September 25th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Backyard Skills at The Center for Living Peace
Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All events are held at The Center for Living Peace, on the third Saturday of each month. 4139 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Green Feast
Sat, September 11th, 2010 at 3:30 PM
A big thank you to Chefs Rich Mead (Sage Restaurant), Azmin Ghahreman (Sapphire Laguna Beach), and Justin Monson (Vine), for an unforgettable evening celebration of local food and community.
Over 200 guests (and 60 volunteers), gathered to support The Ecology Center's efforts to empower ecological literacy throughout Orange County. The OC Register has published a few of the evenings recipes, as well as photos.
Sambazon / Warrior Up!
Fri, September 10th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Join our founder Evan Marks, and Warrior Up! Warrior Up highlights the positive social, environmental and economic change made possible by Sambazon and their Sambazon Warriors. These warriors are athletes, entrepreneurs and social activists who have used their expertise to make an impact. Through their causes, Sambazon is looking to empower everyday warriors. We invite you to join our tribe. Make your own warrior headdress on Facebook, learn about Sambazon's Warriors and their causes, and get involved – start creating positive change in your world.
Backyard Skills / Sourdough Bread Baking
Sat, September 4th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Back by popular demand, The Ecology Center is once again offering Sourdough Bread Baking with Chris Blank. Yes, sourdough bread will be baked (and enjoyed) during class and all students will take home prepped started to apply their new backyard skill at home. Tuition is $30 for non-members and $27 for members of The Ecology Center.
Please register in advance as space is limited. You may register online (click here) or call 949.443.4223 to sign up!
Basic Needs / COMMUNITY
Tue, August 31st, 2010 at 6:30 PM
How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs impact the health of our community and our environment?
Join us, August 26th 6:30PM with Shaheen Sadeghi of The Camp/The Lab to inspire dialog about redesigning our community.
Farm of Fork on OC Register
Mon, August 30th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Thank you to all those who participated in this weekends Farm to Fork workshop for kids, including Meg of Earthroots Field School and the OC Register.
"Where does food come from? Young visitors to The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano got to answer that question for themselves Saturday and make a meal of what they found in a program called "Farm to Fork." The goal of the course, instructor Meg Hiesinger said, is to teach children how to eat healthy and appreciate their food."Regardless if you are a hands-on learner or like to learn through reading, cooking has aspects for all types of people," Hiesinger said."
Backyard Skills / Collaboration
Sat, August 28th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Composting 101
The Ecology Center and Element have collaborated on a fun and ecologically enriching D.I.Y. Summer workshop series.
Join us, August 28th 1PM, for a DIY composting and worm bin construction workshop. Ever wondered how to turn your food scraps into black gold? Interested in befriending a tribe of Red Worms?
Basic Needs / WASTE
Thu, July 15th, 2010 at 6:30 PM
How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs impact the health of our community and our environment?
Find out all summer long in an open-forum setting where Orange County residents can explore and discuss critical topics with cutting-edge thinkers representing the areas of water, shelter, waste and community.
Basic Needs / WATER
Tue, May 11th, 2010 at 6:30 PM
Brad Lancaster author of "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands", provides an accessible answer to water harvesting solutions. "I believe we all can become beneficial stewards of the land, and partners in the ecosystem in which we live, and I believe that by harvesting rainwater sustainably we can all begin to transform our households from consumers of resources to producers of resources."
Evolving Objects
Fri, August 28th, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Evolving Objects
Have you ever wondered how our everyday household products come to be? Or where these products go once they leave our homes?
Our first-ever exhibition, Evolving Objects, attempts to tell the story of how humans have evolved with the everyday services of lighting, cleaning and clothing - from the construction of the Congdon House, circa 1877 to the present.
The Ecology Center Programs