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 Lake Forest Open Lands believes environmental education plays a key role in building community support for the long-term commitment required to protect, restore and maintain threatened native ecosystems and open space. Each year adults, families and more than 2,000 local school children learn about the local environment by participating in natural history and education programs that take place in Open Lands' nature preserves. The classes are led by professional education staff and supported by trained volunteers known as the V.O.L.E.S. (Volunteers for Open Lands' Education Services).
Open Lands' preserves include a rich diversity of habitats and create an ideal teaching environment. The Lockhart Family Nature Center, located at the Mellody Farm Nature Preserve is the home base of our environmental education programs.
Open Lands is committed to:
- work closely with local schools and colleges to create and implement field studies tailored to grade level curricula;
- provide in-depth training for community volunteers interested in assisting with environmental education programs;
- offer environmental programs with broad appeal such as summer camp, after school enrichment classes, preschool classes, family interpretive experiences and relevant cultural and art programs;
- provide opportunities for people to enjoy exploring nature with the help of Open Lands naturalists, self-guided activities, interpretive displays, the Open Lands website, nature center library resources and field study equipment;
- provide community members with experience in restoring and monitoring local flora and fauna in conjunction with Open Lands' land management staff;
- document and share research results on land restoration practices with other conservation organizations;
- provide a meeting place at the Lockhart Family Nature Center for Open Lands classes, special events, docent training and activities of other community organizations; and
- collaborate with other community organizations to create environmentally based programs appealing to a wide variety of interests and age groups.
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