It’s pretty common knowledge that traffic here in Southern California can have its moments. In an effort to bypass some of the stress, and to help reduce our carbon footprint, we’ve started using public transit to help us reach various nature destinations. (Note: For those not familiar with public transportation in Southern California, let’s just say it has its limitations. … [Read more...]
The Living Desert
During our recent spring break getaway, we managed a stop in the desert – Palm Desert, that is. After a day spent at Joshua Tree National Park (more on that later), we wanted to get up close and personal with desert wildlife. So we carved out some time to visit The Living Desert. The Living Desert promises “a wildlife adventure through the deserts of the world.” To this end, … [Read more...]
9 Ideas for Nature-Based Learning at the Zoo
When The Explorers were younger (read: sitting in a stroller), our visits to the zoo tended to focus primarily on identifying and naming critters. These days, we do a whole lot more than that. In spite of the fact that I’m not formally trained as a classroom educator, I’ve figured out a few ways to turn our visits into fun learning opportunities that extend well beyond our … [Read more...]
Los Angeles Nature Adventure #62: The LAIR Exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo
Just for kicks, I counted how many posts I’ve written about places to explore nature in Los Angeles. This adventure is #62 (and yes, I’ll be counting from now on). You'll find the rest under the “L.A.-Area Day Trips” heading in the column to the right. I know not everyone’s a fan of creepy crawly critters, or things that slither and sting. But since I’ve got two boys under … [Read more...]
The Big List of Outdoor Adventures for Los Angeles Kids
Los Angeles may be well known for the Hollywood Sign and seriously awful traffic. But those of us who call L.A. home also know it is full of amazing outdoor places for families to play and explore year round. This big list of outdoor adventures for Los Angeles kids is a great place to get some inspiration. No more excuses for not being able to find somewhere to explore nature … [Read more...]