Whittier Narrows Nature Center (Lupe Anaya)

Reviewed by: Maria Guadalupe Anaya

Coordinated Science teacher at Bell Gardens High School, Bell Gardens, CA.

For many, coastal scrub vegetation appears like a weedy wasteland. However, this low- growing vegetation is home to many unique species and is considered endangered.

Science Concepts Addressed: Give examples of specific science concepts that may be addressed by visitng the field trip site and explain how they are addressed.

• Ecological restoration: the center has undergone restoration and lends to a discussion on the restoration process

• Endangered habitats: the area is one of the last coastal sage scrub environment

• Biodiversity: the center is the home of many animal and plant species

• Adaptations: Many examples of species adaptations can be encountered as students go through their walk

• Waste water treatment: the river leads to the local aquifer

• Biomes and Ecosystems: One travels through a coastal sage scrub environment

Study Guide:

MAP of Whittier Narrows Nature Center

• Task 1: To be completed at the site.

• Take some time at the site to observe some species of organisms, and observe them long enough to watch them feed or make predictions on what they feed on. Then make a food web that includes all the organisms you observed. What would happen if a species would become removed from this food chain?

• Task 2: To be completed at the site.

• Harvard professor, E.O. Wilson, has termed the subconscious connections we as humans seek with the rest of life and nature as "biophilia." Some examples of this affinity include why we keep pets, gardens, and enjoy outdoor activities such as camping or hiking. However, in Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv adds that today's children suffer from what he terms "nature-deficit disorder" because they have very limited outdoor experiences with nature.

• Reflect on the paragraph above then answer at the end of your field trip:

• Did you feel a connection or affinity to a particular organism that Wilson explains? Is there anything that you are now immensely curious about, or is there a feeling you can't really put into words?

• Activity 1: To be completed after the visit. (Review before the visit)

• Map and questions. The map has several plants and habitat features that you will encounter on your field trip. Familiarize yourself with some of the questions as they can also guide your conversations with the docent. Once you have completed the walk, click on the red place marks and answer the questions from the box in your notebook. Remember that each docent will choose to address different concepts depending on what is available in nature at the time of your visit.

• Activity 2: To be completed after the visit. Match the pictures with the science concepts below.

• Match the number of the picture with the concept

• ____Malaise insect trap

• ____Bushtit nest

• ____Invasive plant

• ____Bird dropping collector

• ____Asian tiger mosquito

• ____A dormant plant

• ____Spittlebug (insect, spit, or bird dropping)

• ____Inside an insect gall

• ____Wasp hole on trail

• ____Camouflaged green lynx spider

• Culminating Task: To be completed after all tasks and assignments.

• As a citizen and resident of your community, and a parent of two young children, you attend a town meeting called to discuss the proposed development of a new Discovery Center at the current Whittier Narrows Nature Center. The development would eliminate wildlife habitat to make space to include a 14,000 square-foot main building with a meeting center for water district executives and a 116 car parking lot. The new center would now charge entrance and/or parking fees. The developers say the habitat loss will not be significant because there will be plenty of acres of wildlife left. One of the city's decision-makers recognizes you as someone who hikes, bird-watches, and fishes with your children in the local area. She asks you to comment about the possible impacts the new development would have on the biodiversity of the local area. What will you choose to tell your fellow citizens and decision-makers at this meeting?

• Answer as you would present this at the meeting and include any pictures you took. This question addresses an actual threat that might put the future of the sanctuary at risk. (Friends of the WNNC)

For additional information:

Whittier Narrows Nature Center

California Academy of Sciences: Learn more about CA's Mediterranean Shrublands

Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area