Hi everyone,

Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve reached 740 signatures on our petition! The city is paying attention, but now we need to make sure they can’t ignore us.

📢 Here’s how you can help right now:

1️⃣ Click this Take Action link to send a message directly to all the decision-makers at once.
2️⃣ Encourage friends, family, and neighbors in local zip codes to do the same. Every message sent makes a difference!

The more we flood their inboxes, the stronger our impact. Let’s keep up the momentum and take this to the finish line!

Thank you for standing with us—we can do this together!

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE: Protect the ENC & Nature Preschool 
📍 Newport Beach, CA

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC)and ENC Nature Preschool are at risk from a proposed high-density housing development at 1501 E. 16th Street—a property that borders both the ENC and preschool. This development threatens environmental education, nature-based early learning, and the safety and serenity of our community.

Now is the time to raise our voices and demand the removal of this site from the City of Newport Beach’s Housing Element. Your action can protect this irreplaceable space for generations to come. 

How YOU Can Help on Social Media
1. Copy & Paste This Caption (or personalize it!):
🚨 URGENT: A proposed high-density housing project at 1501 E. 16th St. threatens the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) & ENC Nature Preschool in Newport Beach. This peaceful sanctuary serves 50,000+ visitors annually and fosters nature-based learning for our youngest residents.

The plan would destroy native habitat, endanger children’s safety, worsen traffic, and permanently change the character of our community.

Help us protect this local treasure. Demand that city leaders remove this site from the housing element NOW! 💚🌿

📝 Take action: https://encenter.org/take-action

#ProtectENC #SaveNewportNature 
 
2. Include a Powerful Image
Use any of the following:

📸 Your kids/family enjoying ENC or ENC Nature Preschool
📸 ENC nature trails, wildlife, or preschool outdoor play areas
📸 Sites nearby impacted by the development: Castaways, Turf, Bob Henry Park, Newport Harbor High, etc.
📸 The image attached here that shows where the proposed development is from a bird's eye view
 
3. Post a Short Video
Reel/Story Idea (30 seconds):

“Hey, Newport Beach! Did you know a out-of-town developer is trying to build 3-story housing right next to the Environmental Nature Center and Nature Preschool? That means lost trees, safety concerns for our kids, and massive traffic issues. This space is too important to lose. Please take one minute to take action at the link I am including here 🌱🏫  https://encenter.org/take-action
 
4. Tag & Engage – Help Spread the Word
Tag key accounts like:

@CityofNewportBeach
@NewportMesaSchools
@ENC_Nature

Newport Beach City Council Members:

Mayor of Newport Beach (Joe Stapleton): @newportstapleton
Michelle Barto (District 2): @michelle4newport
Noah Blom: @noahfornewport
Lauren Kleiman: @lauren4newport
Sara Weber: @sara_for_newport
Erik Weigand: @erik4newport
Robyn Grant: @robynbgrant

State Representatives:

Assemblymember Diane Dixon: @diane_dixon_asm
Senator Tom Umberg: @senator_umberg

Environmental Groups:

• Newport Bay Conservancy (formerly Back Bay Conservancy): @nbconservancy
• California Native Plant Society: @californianativeplantsociety
• Sierra Club: @sierraclub
• Laguna Ocean Foundation: @lagunaoceanfoundation

Local PTAs

• @marinerselementaryPTA 
• @kasierwoodlandPFO
• @nheptafoundation
• @newportelfoundation
• @eastbluffpta
• @andersontigerspta
• @ensignpta
• @newportharboralumni
• @newportharbor.hs 

Use These Hashtags: #ProtectENC #SaveNewportNature 

5. Get Your Friends Involved!
Tag 3 friends to sign & share. Example:

I just signed to protect the ENC & Nature Preschool from being compromised by an out-of-town developer! 🛑 @friend1 @friend2 @friend3 — please sign & share too. Our community depends on it! 💚🌿 https://encenter.org/take-action
 
Why This Matters

• Child Safety: Proposed buildings would overlook preschool play areas, raising privacy and security issues.
• Environmental Impact: Loss of native trees, disruption of wildlife, and years of construction pollution.
  Traffic Danger: Increased congestion near Newport Harbor High & Ensign Intermediate puts pedestrians and drivers at risk.
• Loss of Character: The development would permanently change the peaceful nature of our neighborhood.

Irreplaceable Education Resource: The ENC and Preschool have served our community for over 50 years.
 
Want to Help Even More?

Contact Katie Smith to get involved:
📧 katiemarienthal@gmail.com
📞 949-233-6379

Together, we can protect our kids, our green space, and our future. Every voice counts. Every share matters.
👉 Sign & share now: https://encenter.org/take-action