Public Programs in Santa Ana & Beyond!

Back to Natives has partnered with Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency to provide public programs at the Santiago Park Nature Center. Community members from throughout Orange County will have an opportunity to enroll in classes on a variety of topics. The Nature Center is located at 600 E. Memory Lane in Santa Ana.

How to register:

1. Download the Programs & Classes Brochure on the City of Santa Ana Parks & Recreation Website.
2. Complete the Registration Form
3. Mail or Walk-in the registration form with payment to: PRCSA, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92703
4. For more information please call the City of Santa Ana at (714) 647 - 5307. If you're having trouble registering for a class, please email Back to Natives to let us know!

5. Let Back to natives know you enrolled!

Lose that Lawn!
A Native Plant Landscaping Workshop
Saturday, 2-11-12, 9AM – 2PM…  Huntington Beach, CA
Ready to get rid of that expensive, water-guzzling, high maintenance lawn? Take the ecologically responsible step of replacing your lawn with natives! Join native plant landscape professional Reginald Durant of Back to Natives for a day of discussion and hands-on activity.  As we remove John's lawn (yes, we're putting you to work!), we will discuss the reasons for doing so. Reginald will describe and demonstrate Back to Natives lawn removal strategy, and share some of the do's and don'ts of lawn removal - including why we never, ever use herbicides! If time permits we will begin work on the rainwater harvesting system. This class if FREE, but donations are appreciated. For more information or to RSVP for this workshop, send an email to info@backtonatives.org. Space is limited.  Register Today.

Propagation of Native Plants       
Wednesdays, 2-1-12 through 4-4-12, 9AM – 1PM Join Back to Natives for a hands-on class to increase your native plant propagation knowledge.  Participants will gather once a week for 10 weeks to learn which native plants propagate best by seed, cuttings, layering, and division.  We will examine unique methods for mimicking nature’s scarification process.  The biology, anatomy, history, and use of these propagation techniques will also be covered, briefly.  Students will help propagate native plants for use in habitat restoration and environmental education projects.  Students can choose to count class time toward volunteer hours, or take home up to ten of the plants that they propagated! Most classes will take place at the Back to Natives Nursery at Santiago Park.  $60/10 Weeks.  RSVP to education@backtonatives.org

Earth Is Our Home
Saturday, 2/11/12, 9AM – 11:30AM
Children age 5 & 6 and their parents learn that people must share the Earth with plants and animals.  Participants learn about ecosystems, and make their own plant terrarium to take home.  They take a nature hike to search for the homes of wild animals.  Along the trail they discuss renewable and non-renewable resources, and learn how they can help save energy.  They make their own biodegradable furniture polish to make their own homes more “green.”  Participate in an environmental service project that helps maintain habitat for wildlife.  The program is 2.5 hours and costs $8.50/child (adult companions are free).

The United States Forest Service & Back to Natives Restoration Training Program
Thursday evenings and Saturdays, Feb 16 – March 24, 2012
Ecological restoration is a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing healthy ecosystems.  This program is for those interested in the restoration and conservation of Orange County wildlands.  Successful habitat restoration ensures that native species are protected while non-native species are removed efficiently, and with minimal human impact to the site.  This program will acquaint participants with non-chemical, low impact weed removal methods.  Back to Natives Restoration, in a cooperative agreement with the Cleveland National Forest, provides hands on training for restoration volunteers over the course of this 6 week training program. Each training session will focus on specific aspects of the restoration process from rudimentary tool identification and tool and trail safety training, to native and non-native plant identification, proper site entry/exit protocol as well as mechanical/physical abatement techniques to reduce soil disturbance and possible weed seed germination.   Who’s invited? Anyone interested in hiking Orange County trails to identify invasive plants, remove them when possible, and report them when assistance is needed.  Staff and Volunteers from all wildland agencies, organizations and non-profits are also welcome to participate, and then share the knowledge and skills gained to restore their own lands.  Where:  All lectures will be at the Tustin REI Community Room, Field Labs will be in the Cleveland National Forest and other locations TBA within Orange County.  Age requirement: 16 years and older.  Individuals younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Tuition:  $60.00 for volunteer and $300.00 for agency/organization staff.  Textbook & sanitizing kit required. Email restoration@backtonatives.org for a registration form.

Think Globally, Plant Locally
Sunday, 3/4/12, 9AM – 11AM
Join Reginald Durant, Director of Restoration for Back to Natives Restoration, and learn how to make your landscape sustainable using locally native, California plants. Using natives conserves water and eliminates the need for pesticides, which harm beneficial insects and other animals and reduces the exposure to toxic substances. Learn which landscape quality native plants will work best in your yard. $10.  This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Eco-Action
Saturday, 4/21/12, 9AM – 11:30AM
Children age 7-9 take action to help people, plants and animals on the earth.  During a nature hike, participants discuss ways that water, soil and air become polluted, and play a game to learn ways to conserve water.   Children discuss the negative impacts of plastic, pick up trash along the trail and decorate their own canvass shopping bag to take home.  They learn about a famous female environmentalist, and participate in an environmental service project to improve habitat for wildlife.  The program is 2.5 hours and costs $8.50/child (adult companions are free).

Biodiversity Walk & Talk                      
Saturday, 5/5/12, 9AM – 12PM 
Join Reginald Durant from Back to Natives to learn all about Biodiversity -- the variation of life on Earth.  The morning will begin with an indoor presentation about South Coastal California’s biodiversity.  Afterwards, participants will join Reginald on a walk in the Santiago Creek Nature Preserve to observe the biodiversity present in the middle of urban Santa Ana!  Learn why biodiversity is important, why it is threatened, why we should care, and what we can do to protect it. $15. This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Orange County Butterflies and Their Host Plants                         
Saturday, 6/16/12, 9AM – 11AM       
Join Back to Native’s Director of Restoration Reginald Durant to learn about common and not so common Orange County native butterflies!  Learn which landscape quality locally native plants will attract butterflies to your yard.  After a brief indoor presentation, participants – armed with field guides – will hike the Nature Preserve trails to try their hand at identifying the Park’s winged inhabitants.  Bring your camera! $10.  This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Native American Uses of Native Plants              
Saturday, 7-21-12, 9AM – 11:30      
Join Back to Natives to learn the about native plants used by the Tongva and Acjachemen of Orange County for food, shelter, clothing, basketry, tools, medicine and more.  We will start with a brief indoor presentation, and then go for a hike in the Nature Preserve to get an up close, personal view of the plants!  At the culmination of the program participants will learn one method of making string from palm leaves. $10. This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Butterfly Walk and Talk                         
Sunday, 7/10/11, 9AM – 12PM 
Join Back to Natives to learn all about butterflies!  The morning will begin with an indoor presentation about butterflies.  What is the difference between a host and a nectar plant?  How long to butterflies live?  What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?  Are there endangered butterflies and moths?  Afterward, participants will join Lori on a hike through the Santiago Creek Nature Preserve to observe local butterflies in their natural habitat.  Participants will discover what they can do to help butterflies by planting native plants that provide habitat.  $15.  This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Color Wheel of the Year            
Saturday, 8/4/12, 9AM – 11AM
Take a journey through the seasons with Back to Natives Director of Restoration, Reginald Durant and learn what native plants provide color in which season!  Snowy white Manzanita flowers and scented ceanothus bloom in winter, and springtime brings a rainbow of ephemeral wildflowers.  Rusty buckwheat flowers and golden grasses liven up the dry summer landscape, and red toyon berries herald the fall. The correct plant pallet will assure that there is always something interesting happening in your garden. $10.  This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Habitat Gardening for Birds and Butterflies  
Saturday, 9/1/12, 9AM – 11AM
Join Reginald Durant from Back to Natives to learn about creating habitat for birds and butterflies in your yard.  Landscaping with natives conserves water – an increasingly scarce natural resource – and saves money.  Using natives eliminates the need for pesticides, which harm beneficial insects and other animals, and reduces our exposure to toxic substances. Natives also require less mowing, pruning and fertilizing.  Learn which landscape quality locally native plants will attract birds and butterflies to your yard. $10.  This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Landscaping with Native Plants      
Saturday, 10/6/12, 9AM – 11AM
Join Reginald Durant, Director of Restoration for Back to Natives Restoration, and learn how to make your landscape sustainable using locally native California plants.  Native plants can be adapted to garden styles from around the world, while providing a healthy environment for wildlife and people here at home.  Natives conserve water – an increasingly scarce natural resource.  Using natives eliminates the need for pesticides, which harm beneficial insects and other animals, and reduces our exposure to toxic substances. Learn which landscape quality native plants will work best in your yard.  $10. This class is at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. 

Plant Power!
Saturday, 12/1/12, 9AM – 11AM
Children age 5 & 6 learn about the importance of plants.  During a nature hike, participants learn how plants provide habitat for animals and give humans food, shelter, clothing, tools, medicine and even oxygen in the air we breathe!  Children go on a “leaf hunt” and collect fallen leaves (which they later return to the Earth) to do a leaf rubbing activity.  They perform in a “seed skit,” and as a group they “build a tree.” Participants begin an experiment to see which Orange County native plant seed wins a sprout race.  The program is 2 hours and costs $7.50/child (adult companions are free).