COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

Imagine wanting to paint and being taught by Picasso!

Such was the caliber of teaching the Upper Newport Bay Naturalist Training Class of 2007 received at the hands of experts in their respective fields.

No matter what the topic (insects, birds, plants, etc.), there would be the wow factor every week — that one bit of interesting information that blows you away and which you know you’ll always remember. Why didn’t they teach science like this when I was in school?

For someone who grew up in a small town in Southern Michigan, living in Newport Beach for the past 37 years has been like living on another planet.

Every day is an impression on the senses — our stunning harbor, the great wide Pacific, an abundance of plants and birds everywhere.

Wanting to know it on a deeper level, I took a free weekend tour of Back Bay led by a trained naturalist. That was my first encounter with The “wow factor” as the naturalist related the story of the geological formation of Back Bay and the cliffs of Dover Shores in particular.

But it was the herons, those prehistoric-looking pterodactyl-like birds, I saw building their nests each year in a tall pine tree on Balboa Island that finally drove me to make good on a promise to myself to take the Naturalist Training Class.

During each Saturday morning field trip around Back Bay, Thursday night’s classroom instruction really comes to life. Being able to accompany the likes of plant expert Roger Reinke or Joel Weintraub, “The Bird Man,” is the equivalent of Christmas morning!

It was telling that the most important items on my Christmas list were binoculars and a bird book.

Armed with these treasures, I found myself volunteering to take part in the annual Christmas Bird Count in Back Bay, albeit as a true novice.

And just who are my fellow students? Friendly, talented people of all ages and all backgrounds with a desire to learn.

Now we find ourselves jumping at the chance to discover the Laguna Wilderness on a weekend hike led by Dick Newell and Don Millar.

These gentlemen, along with Tom Fox, are graduates from previous Naturalist Training Classes.

All involved with this program (including OC Parks, Dept. of Fish & Game, and Coastal Commission staff), work together to ensure the training experience is absolutely top-notch.

So now what to do with all this acquired knowledge? Share it! One fact you begin to understand is that we are inclined to preserve and protect that which we love and value most, and you can only love and value something when you understand and really know it. The Naturalist Program offers a variety of ways to get out and educate the public about the magic that exists right at the water’s edge.

I can’t wait to lead some of these weekend tours or assist with school groups because it will be so much fun to be part of that wow factor moment!

IF YOU GO

NBNF conducts the 10-week naturalist training program each fall. It is open to those who have completed a one-day training, which is offered four times a year. The first of these is Saturday. Call (949) 923-2296 to sign up.

CAROLYN CLARK is a member of Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends.