Nature Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary

50 Ways to Get “Nature Centered”

Since 1969, El Dorado Nature Center has provided an island of serenity in Long Beach. Thousands of school children have discovered the natural world on school field trips and at educational programs; residents have gotten up close and personal with turtles, reptiles, birds and butterflies; people have been inspired to become stewards of the environment at volunteer programs; and countless visitors have walked the trails to escape from urban stress. Now, the 105-acre Nature Center is turning 50 and celebrating with “50 ways to find your center.”

“Each year people of all ages come to El Dorado Nature Center to reconnect with nature and learn more about our local ecosystem,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This place is a wonderful asset for our city and I encourage residents to come out this summer to celebrate 50 great years.”

The centerpiece event will be a Summer Solstice Celebration on June 21 honoring the land and the people who have helped make El Dorado Nature Center special. It will be emceed by Laura Bosworth from the Long Beach Storytellers and feature performances by folk singer Shayna Adler as well as a dance performance by Sirena Serpentina. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets/chairs and a picnic.

“From what started as bean fields, El Dorado Nature Center has created amenities for visitors and supported habitat over the last 50 years,” said Councilman Daryl Supernaw, who represents the area. “I am excited for visitors to experience the great programs being offered to celebrate the Center’s 50th anniversary.”

Other special events throughout the summer include: artisan craft fairs, where visitors can shop for specialty items made by local artists; education stations, with interactive nature displays; outdoor concerts from in a variety of musical genres; and family nightlife walks and outdoor movies with stargazing. Family nightlife walks are $5 per person and require advanced registration at lbparks.org. Concerts are open to picnicking at 6:30 p.m. with music from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a $3 suggested donation to offset the cost of programming.

Every day during open hours, from now until August 31, visitors also can take part in a nature-inspired mural that will be displayed at the Center.

“50 Ways to Find Your Center”

June 21: Summer Solstice Celebration, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

June 25: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 26: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

June 27: Concert, Steel Parade (Steel drums/Calypso), gates open at 6:30 p.m.

June 28 Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

June 29: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 29: A Night with the Stars, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” 7 p.m.

July 2: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 3: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 5: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 6: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 9: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 10: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 11: Concert, Corday (Classic Rock), gates open at 6:30 p.m.

July 12: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 13: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 16: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 17: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 19: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 20: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 23: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 24: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 25: Concert, Salty Suites (Bluegrass), gates open at 6:30 p.m.

July 26 Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

July 27: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 30: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 31: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 3: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 6: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

August 2: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 7: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 8: Concert, Big City Hillbillies (Country), gates open 6:30 p.m.

August 9: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 10: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 13: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

August 14: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 16: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 17: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 20: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

August 21: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 22: Concert, Sligo Rags (Celtic Rock), gates open at 6:30 p.m.

August 23: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 24: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 24: A Night With the Stars, “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,” 7 p.m.

August 27: Family Nightlife Walk, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

August 28: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 30: Education Station, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 31: Artisan Craft Faire, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.