header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Let's Go Outside | Commentary by Evelyne Vandersande
| Thursday, Dec 31, 2015

evelynevandersande_mugThe last Christmas tree needles have been vacuumed from the carpet, but in the back of your mind, you know you’ll still find some in August. The ladder is up to remove the last string of lights around the house, and you are deep in thought, enjoying the cool, crisp outside air. The New Year is stretching in front of you like a long ribbon full of empty days – and that can be a little scary. This year is going to be different: You want to learn something, to make new friends and avoid having your time completely swallowed up by the everyday routine. Being outside is pleasant, if only this wind would not entangle your lights…

So yes, having an outdoor activity would be good, and everybody tells you that being outside is healthy, so there must be something to it. You do have some free time – but not the whole day, either – so how can you make the best use of that precious free time?

Look no further, because the answer to this question is easy. Plus, your timing is perfect. The Placerita Canyon Nature Center will offer all of this to you with the docent training starting Jan. 12.

 

placerita01Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, so you will have plenty of free time after that, and it is only a 9-week training program.

What can you expect there? You will learn about native plants, ecology, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, geology, history and interpretive techniques. That should be a whole list of interesting topics to fill up your wish list of learning something new. Most of those classes have the first part given in the classroom, and the second part is held on the trail – so you will be outdoors, learning in the field the application of what you just discovered in the classroom. The classes are led by professionals in the various fields, and they always welcome your questions.

What about social interaction? That is the best part – and a little secret that will become obvious to you on the first day of class. The Nature Center attracts an assortment of people who are always friendly, interested in nature, children and learning. They are always highly supportive of people who are making an effort to learn about nature.

placerita03Not only will you grow close to all of your class members while you are sharing those new experiences, but also with all the other docents who are delighted to help you. It is not a place for competition or ego, but for friendliness and helping each other. Plus, the goals of the Nature Center come first. I have been a docent for 30 years, so I see the same adventure happening every year, always with great amazement and pleasure.

What is a docent? “Docent” means teacher and also volunteer. Our main core program is to welcome school groups to the Nature Center from Tuesday through Friday and give them a program in the classroom about the circle of life. After that, we take them into the hills on the trail, showing animals and plants and interaction in the wild. We usually deal with elementary school ages, but some programs are adapted to even younger children.

placerita04The cost of the training is $45, which includes all training material (instruction manual, field guide, T-shirt and related items). The minimum age for the volunteer-naturalist program is 18. For further information, contact Ron Kraus, who is in charge of the training. You can reach him by e-mail at ron@placerita.org.

Also, check our web site (www.placerita.org) if you’d like to see what the Placerita Canyon Nature Center is all about.

If you do not have time to take the training now, keep it in the back of your mind. Maybe one day it will become possible. There are not too many places like this where you will be welcomed with open arms and learn so much that it will forever change who you are.

Here is our mission statement, and it tells you a lot right away: “To inspire a passion, awareness and respect for the environment, and to preserve and protect for future generations the history and ecosystem of Placerita Canyon.”

placerita02Working with children also brings you a feeling of accomplishment and deep joy. Most of them come to the center afraid and uncertain about being in the wild; they leave excited about having observed a lizard from close by or seeing a woodpecker gathering acorns. The experience of seeing their shining little faces when they finally “get it” is difficult to put into words.

Come to learn about the park and take a hike on one of the many trails. Green grass is starting to poke up everywhere, and even some wild flowers are starting to bloom. It is pretty exciting to see. Spring starts one step at a time … but you have to look closely to see it happening. It really is a wonderous time. Come visit the Nature Center whenever you can, and come back often.

 

 

Evelyne Vandersande has been a docent at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center since 1986. She lives in Newhall.

 

placerita07placerita05

????????????????????????????????????

????????????????????????????????????

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Heidi Webber says:

    I have been a docent at Placerita for 20 years and it has enhanced my life in so many ways. I have made so many like-minded friends and learned so much. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. Egos are left at home, so you can jump right in and help with programs or develope your own without stepping on toes. You will never regret coming to Placerita and all the doors that will open to you.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com