Nature lovers have a new way to understand what they’re seeing when they hit the trails at the Placerita Canyon Natural Area – actually three new ways.

Titled “Know Your Nature Center,” a push-button video installation greets visitors to the Placerita Canyon Nature Center and teaches them about some of the wildlife they’re likely to encounter. The trio of videos include “Choose a Trail,” “Wild About Wildflowers” and “Let’s Go Birdwatching,” shown on a 55-inch, weather-resistant screen.

Docent-naturalist Cindy Gold led the volunteer-driven project and got her whole family involved, along with cameraman Ron Kraus and 36 other contributors who handled everything from photography to carpentry and the electrical work.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger became the first member of the public to push a button and select a video during Saturday’s formal unveiling. Barger was one of several officials from the county, city and state to attend, inasmuch as Placerita is a state park operated by Los Angeles County, and the lion’s share of the funding for the installation came from a city of Santa Clarita community services grant. Individual volunteer members of the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates also ponied up.

“We were thrilled to have such a wonderful turnout including state, county and city dignitaries,” said docent-naturalist RuthAnne Murthy, who wrote the successful grant application. “We hope the public will come to watch the videos and enjoy the park.”

Project leader Cindy Gold shares a moment with Supervisor Kathryn Barger Saturday.

From left: Park Superintendent Russ Kimura, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, L.A. County Parks Director Norma Garcia, Natural Areas Administrator Kim Bosell, volunteer docent board President Fred Seeley.

Photo by Evelyne Vandersande