Placerita Canyon Nature Center (Mara Desso & Dennis Y)
Reviewed by:
Mara Desso, Chemistry and Biology Teacher Valencia High School
& Dennis Yong, AP Environmental Teacher, Canyon High School.
Location:
19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-7721
Description:
The nature center itself has several captive native species on display for the public, including a red-tailed hawk, a common raven, turkey vultures, and desert tortoises. Visitors can watch the feeding of the animals and listen to talks by the rangers regarding the habitats, behaviors, and nature of each organism. The rangers also provide nature walks to public and private groups, including schools. The walks include hiking through the botanical trail with marked wildflowers and plants, or the ecology trail where visitors can hope to spot lizards, birds, and perhaps even a deer.
During my visit to the nature center, I walked both the botanical trail and the ecology trail. The trail was well maintained and included several signs describing wildlife along the way. At the end of the short hike, I also visited the indoor visitor center where the history of the canyon is described with several interactives and audio tracks.
Audience: Who should take a field trip to this location and why? Be specific and explain how a particular student or teacher might benefit. For example,
A biology or environmental science/Earth science student should take this trip to expose students to the local flora and fauna of the chaparral biome. Students can see how the native habitat of Southern California looks like without buildings and concrete roads. In addition, they can also engage in activities such as bird watching and hiking. When finished with their hike, students can learn more information about local animals. The Nature Center is renovated and has taxidermied animals such as cougar, bobcat, birds, rattle snakes, and even a brown bear. Outside the center, there are some live animals that students can see.There is also a small gift store where visitors can purchase guides to identifying locals plants and animals along with some maps to the hiking trails.
Science Concepts Addressed: Give examples of specific science concepts that may be addressed by visiting the field trip site and explain how they are addressed. For example, the following science concepts can be addressed by a field trip to the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Biomes and Ecosystems: One travels through chaparral as they hike through the local trails.
Predator and Prey relationship: Students can see red-tailed hawks soaring in the sky searching for food.
Ecological services: Students can learn more about the roles bee play in the ecosystem. In the nature center, there's a live beehive and explanations of how bees are critical in pollination and crop production.
Ecological succession: There's been areas affected by fire in the past. Students can see how pioneer species (grass, etc) had begun to take over the soil.
Native vs Invasive species: A guide can be purchased at the gift store where visitors can learn to identify some local native species and some that had been deliberately or accidentally introduced here.
Study Guide:
Online student study guide form
Photographs:
