Connecting People and Nature
Multiple studies show that children who have regular nature experiences develop greater concentration, creativity, motor fitness, awareness, reasoning, observational skills & much more!
- Albert Einstein
Founded in 1991, Placer Nature Center has connected over 180,000 children and adults with the out-of-doors where they learn science, enjoy nature, experience teamwork, and develop curiosity and wonder about their environment.
Studies show that contact with nature as a child is the single greatest factor that strongly determines a person’s interest in adopting stewardship behaviors. List of studies and references here.
Yet, access to nature is virtually nonexistent for children in our increasingly urbanized and electronically driven society. The education we provide at Placer Nature Center focuses on using the environment to engage students in science learning through:
- awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and current issues
- hands-on experience in a natural environment
- establishing a sense of connection to the environment
Through experiential learning students, preschool through high school, learn to understand that every aspect of our lives, our actions and behaviors, and our environment are inseparable.
By applying environment-based education to real life problems, children gain analytic skills that are indispensable in all academic studies. Children are challenged to work in teams, analyze and interpret data, make decisions, use critical thinking and and learn how to become skilled communicators.
Plus, Placer Nature Center offers a full series of monthly lectures for adults and families throughout the school year. First Friday lectures feature topics ranging from flora and fauna to earth and sea to everything in outer space. There's something for everyone.
Programs are kept affordable toaffordable to fit every budget while at the same time providing a fun, engaging learning experience.
Becoming a member reduces individual program costs even more.
If you want to learn more about our environment and the ecology that surrounds us, check out one or more of our many programs or classes. Give your children the gift of learningof learning about nature. Give them the opportunity to develop their own sense of curiosity, problem-solving, and encourage their leadership and cooperation skills while being fully engaged and entertained.
The health of our planet means the world to us...and your children's future is the future of our planet.
Learn about Placer Nature Center's:
Annual Reports:
GuideStar: Detailed reports on revenue and programs. Find 990's, reviews and more.
Last updated: December 22, 2011