Shipley Nature Center
habitat manager Juana Mueller stands next to a Native
American kicha (hut), and discusses how the hut was made
with items from the grounds of the nature center.
Huntington Beach
Central Park Shipley Nature Center is an oasis amongst
the traffic and noise. It is a slightly hidden place
filled with one of Huntington Beach's rare redwood
groves. It is where coyotes and foxes like to roam at
night and where birds, bugs and butterflies all find
refuge.
Friends of Shipley
Nature Center is the non-profit organization that has
worked tirelessly for a number of years to rescue a once
declining park feature. Thousands of volunteer hours
have helped return this enclosed park within a park to a
more natural state with native plants, plus enhancements
for learning and educational opportunities.
Designed to fulfill
educational guidelines for specific State of California
curricula, the renovation of a once decaying park region
offers students opportunities to learn in a friendly
environment.
In the video above,
Juana Mueller discusses the kicha that was built by an
Eagle Boy Scout. Using cattails from the center's pond
and willow from the willow wetland, the scout created a
structure that can hold approx. 20 school kids, who can
sit inside, and be told about myths of Native Americans
who lived around the region and continue to reside in
Orange County. Juana said that the Shipley Nature Center
is approx. 18 acres in size. It is located in Central
Park West (west side of Golden West Street between
Central Library Drive and Slater Ave.)
