1800Deal

Northeast Los Angeles’ Heart Is Set on Green

By Carolina Sanchez

A mission is trying to be fulfilled all over the world, and it’s to protect our planet from global warming. The younger generation is the key element, and with this knowledge they can nurture and protect it in the future. This task is being well practiced in Northeast Los Angeles at the Audubon Center in Ernest E. Debs Park.

Ernest E. Debs Park is located in Montecito Heights, a small area surrounding Highland Park and Pasadena. Two hundred and eighty-two acres of rich greenery, the park offers a great journey in obtaining an understanding of the wonders of nature. The park holds more than 136 species of native and migratory birds, a variety of native plants, trees such as the eucalyptus, pine and birch, ponds, bird sanctuaries, picnic areas, and fun hiking trails that lead you to everywhere in the park.

The Audubon Center was created to provide visitors with education about the animals and plants preserved there. The Audubon Society, an organization known for its worldwide effort with the conservation of plants and animals, gave the facility its grand opening on November 6, 2003. This is the first urban nature facility created by the Audubon Society.

The Society’s mission is to inspire the community to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. Once children get a first-hand experience of nature, they will understand and take action in protecting their environment. Programs and activities are available for the whole family, focusing on issues such as habitat protection, water quality, ecological restoration, climate change, and hillside preservation.

Elementary and middle school students participate in the Center’s programs, where they participate in educational activities. The Center provides equipment such as binoculars, maps, backpacks, water bottles, strollers, charts for different birds, butterflies and plants, bags and special containers for animal pets, and arts and crafts.

The Audubon Center also sets a great example to all attending families. The building is the first in Los Angeles to be entirely powered by on-site solar systems. The tables are made out of actual crushed and molded sunflower seeds, the cabinets are made out of wheat board, the concrete is made from fly ash, and the metal bars and poles are made from melted guns.

There are about 50,000 children living near the park, and the sad part about this is that most of the families living near it don’t even know of its existence.

“Families these days are more interested in having mall structures and stores being built but don’t plead in wanting more parks and more places to spend quality time with their children. By having families come to the Center and visit the park, we want them to find out that they can learn something new and also have a great time,” said teacher-naturalist Gabriela Castaneda.

“The community needs to get this negative perspective out and take back what’s theirs and what is being provided to their families. Highland Park holds great historic places such as the Southwest Museum, the Lummis House, Heritage Square, the Arroyo Seco and many other scenes,” Gabriela explained.

She stated that the area has been recognized as a low socio-economic area with gang violence, which usually keeps away some visitors. That is certainly not the case, as the park is a really safe place filled with a happy family environment.

Visit the park and Audubon Center at 4700 N. Griffin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90031. The Center is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and the park is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.