Name Change

Say goodbye to Where do the Children Play L.A. and Say hello to:

Nature P.L.A.Y.

Nature Places for Los Angeles Youth

Ballona Wetlands

Our name may be different, but our mission remains the same:

The purpose of Nature p.L.A.y. is to address a condition coined by Richard Louv, “Nature Deficit Disorder”, in Los Angeles children. Children are increasingly spending less time outdoors and many believe that this is linked to several health issues in our youth. We aim to open up a dialog about this condition and to serve as a resource for our community of Los Angelenos toward finding and building solutions. We can transform the image of Los Angeles from that of urban sprawl to a city that offers an abundance of natural resources for it’s children.

-Ilana Gustafson Turner

Charming Charmlee Wilderness Park

Charmlee Wilderness Park

A charming gem of a park tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains

What an incredible beauty this park is! A few miles along Encinal Canyon Road brings you to the 532 acres of coastal slope wilderness that comprise Charmlee Wilderness park. Hiking trails that meander through oak woodland, meadows, and views of the Pacific are delicate enough for young children yet full of enough flora and fauna to captivate your teen. You can bring a lunch and eat along the trail or at one of their several picnic areas. As Spring rolls along the nature programming is also kicking into full gear. Visit their nature center and join them on a “Buggy Night” or on a  “Wildflower” or “Full Moon” hike.

Trail opening into the meadow and bordered by oak woodland.

Indian Paintbrush greeted us along the trail

The inedible Prickly Cucumber

Mountain Lilac trying to immitate the clouds

Part of the Bluebird recovery project

Phone: (310) 457-7247

Call to reserve a spot in any of their programs.

2577 S. Encinal Canyon Road, Malibu, CA 90265

Park Hours: 8:00 am to Sunset, daily

Nature Center Hours:ﾠSaturdays and Sundays, 10:00 amﾠ-ﾠ12:00 pm,ﾠand 2:00ﾠ- 4:00 pm

website

- Text and photos by Ilana Gustafson Turner

WDCP Best of L.A. March Calendar of Events 3/14 – 4/3

March

WDCP Best of L.A.

Calendar of Events

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men. -Chinese Proverb |Photo by Ilana Gustafson Turner

Spring Equinox sets to take the stage on the 20th but the flowers have already begun to preview the upcoming show! This month there are nearly as many Spring-themed events as there are varieties of flowers. You can chase butterflies in Deb’s Park or Towsley Canyon, identify flowers in the Santa Monica Mountains, and get an early start on next month’s Earth Day with an Environmental Education Fair at the LA County Arboretum. Kick off those shoes, run in the grass -  Spring is here!

Weekend

Saturday 3/14 the Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair at The L.A. County Arboretum is an all day event (9am – 4pm) that aims to entertain while educating children and parents about the environment. Spend the day on the beautiful arboretum grounds with live entertainment , crafts, hands-on activities, and storytelling. Free with arboretum admission.

*LA COUNTY ARBORETUM is also asking parents to sign their children up early for their “Summer Nature Camp”.

NOTE: DEB’S BUTTERFLY CENSUS EVENT (below) HAS BEEN CHANGED TO SATURDAY 3/21

Deb’s Park needs your help completing a “Butterfly Census” on Saturday from 9am – 4pm. It’s not all work, of course! Not only will your child get to wander the trails looking for Monarchs and Swallowtails but they will also be able to enjoy butterfly-themed story time at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm as well as arts and crafts all day.

Sunday 3/15 there are two early spring walks to chose from in the Santa Monica Mountains!

Cold Creek Preserve will show you the “Burgeoning Spring” on a gentle walk from 9:30am -11am. Meet at the lower gate.

… And Topanga State Park will be the setting for another “Early Spring Walk” from 1-3pm. Meet at the kiosk. *

Go to one… or both!

Week of Monday 3/16 through Friday 3/20

“Butterfly Adoption” has begun at Kidspace! Starting March 12th your child can adopt a Painted Lady caterpillar and spend the next six-weeks witnessing the incredible metamorphosis take place. There will be on-going butterfly-themed activities and lessons, including an interactive website, all  leading up to a grand finale on April 18th – The “Butterfly Release”!

I also suggest heading to Augustus F. Hawkins Park in South L.A.. It is a true oasis tucked behind ornate iron gates on Slauson and Compton Avenues complete with a native garden,  trails that circle a wetland marsh, and a discovery center that offers a variety of children’s programs.  On my brief visit last summer I spotted a Great Blue Heron! See what wild flora and fauna you uncover with your child. Read more about this incredible place at my previous feature article. *

Weekend

Saturday 3/21 there is a lot to choose from! It is the start of a four-week “Beginning Birders” class for ages 10 and up at Placerita Canyon from 9am- 11am every Saturday until April 11th. Call Frank Hoffman at 661-259-7721 to reserve a space for your feather-friendly child! *

If it’s a younger nature-lover you have on your hands then take them on a docent-led “Family Nature Walk” at Pasadena’s  Eaton Canyon from 9am-11am. *

Lastly, if it is a budding entomologist you want to please then take them to the enchanting Charmlee Wilderness Park for a “Buggy Night” from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Reserve a spot by calling 310-317-1364. Parking $4.

Or you could head over to Deb’s Park. They need your help completing a “Butterfly Census” on Saturday from 9am – 4pm. It’s not all work, of course! Not only will your child get to wander the trails looking for Monarchs and Swallowtails but they will also be able to enjoy butterfly-themed story time at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm as well as arts and crafts all day. NOTE: RE-SCHEDULED FROM 3/14.

Sunday 3/22 there is birdwatching fun to be had at Malibu Lagoon with their “Birdwatching for Young Children” from 10-11am. They will generously provide binoculars! *

Week of Monday 3/23 through Friday 3/27

Now that the Spring flowers are showing, so are the butterflies! Head to Towsley Canyon and see how many butterflies you can find with the aid of their printable guide. Bring a camera and “capture” the butterflies you discover! *

Weekend

Saturday 3/28 have “Fun With Nature”  and head to Malibu Creek State Park visitor’s center for games, crafts and exhibits from 12:30pm – 2pm. *

Sunday 3/29 if you want to meet some farm animals why not meet the happiest of them all – rescued farm animals! Head to Animal Acres Farm Sanctuary for their “Open House” from 11am – 3pm where your child can pet, feed, and play with the animals and meet their good-hearted care-takers as well. $5 admission.

Week of Monday 3/30 through Friday 4/3

I suggest you and your family spend a little time at Marsh Park in the Elysian Valley area of Los Angeles.  You can learn more about the natural infiltration systems of the LA River Greenway as your child enjoys the nature-themed children’s play area.*

*FREE

-Ilana Gustafson Turner

WDCP Best of LA (abridged) Weekend Guide 3/7 & 3/8

March 7th and 8th

WDCP Best of L.A.

(abridged)

Weekend Guide

"All natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to thier influence" - R.W. Emerson | Photo by Ilana Gustafson Turner

The rest of the monthly events will be posted shortly. I did not, however,  want to leave you lacking in ideas of how to take in these last days of winter over the weekend. As wildflowers do not have a calendar to which they must adhere, we are in the exciting transitional phase of the seasons where new blossoms are budding as snow still caps our peaks. Let your children experience this lovely state of seasonal limbo with the events listed below!

Weekend

Saturday 3/7 As usual, Franklin Canyon Nature Center will be hosting their on-going series “Speak for the Trees” from 3pm – 5pm.  This is a fun, interactive program where your child can learn what trees need and why we need trees. “Build a tree and learn teamwork and trace the history of Franklin Canyon as told by its arboreal silent giants.” Ages 8 and up.

Another favorite spot of mine, Deb’s Park, in eastern L.A. will be offering Family Birdwatching En Espanol from 8:30 – 10:30am. I say take your child whether they speak Spanish or not because it is a great place to spend the day! *

Sunday 2/8 celebrate the impending spring with a Wildflower Hike at the Charmlee Wilderness Park from 10am – 12pm. Parking is $4 and you must reserve a spot (310) 317-1364.*

The rest of the week… Find a day to take in the last hours of winter with a jaunt (or a sled or a ski) through the still snow-capped peaks of the Angeles National Forest. Visit Mt. Waterman’s slopes or  pull off the road and make a snowball or two! Just don’t forget to buy your Adventure Pass or you may get a ticket. They are cheap and the money goes toward keeping our forests happy for your children and all future generations of young naturalists.

*Free/Gratis

-Ilana Gustafson Turner