The Ecology Center

Specialties

The Ecology Center educates, inspires, and empowers people to be good stewards of the Southern California environment. The Center is founded on the idea that each individual can make a difference to transform our communities and elevate the global health of our ecosystems. This is achieved this through sharing skills, building community, and creating relevant educational content in the five core areas of Food, Water, Waste, Energy, and Shelter.

Also on site is Tools For Change, a general store full of goods for good living. The purpose of Tools For Change is to provide curated, eco-​approved products that work with our workshops and lifestyles to improve impact on our environments. Come by and say hi Monday-​Saturday from 10am-​4pm, and Sunday 11am-​3pm.

Get involved by visiting us, attending an event, volunteering, and becoming part of our community. Visit TheE​col​o​gy​Cen​ter​.org for resources, our latest news, and to sign up for upcoming events!

History

Established in 2008.

In November 2008, The City of San Juan Capistrano approached local ecologist Evan Marks and challenged him to turn the City’s oldest historic wooden farmhouse and adjoining acreage into a relevant educational facility and community center – and he took the challenge. People now come to the farmhouse and surrounding learning landscapes to learn how to grow organic gardens, improve water stewardship, conserve power and produce renewable energy, reduce waste, and create meaningful and low-​impact shelter. With annual visitorship over 15,000, individual actions are elevating the health of our environment, contributing to a diverse, safe, and healthy world.

Meet the Business Owner

Evan M.

Business Owner

Ever since the native Californian joined the Surfrider Foundation back in high school, Evan Marks’ life-​long career as an environmentalist was already underway. Through this participation, Marks was convinced that people had the ability to directly impact the environment by taking matters into their own hands.

He continued his advocacy while attending the University of California, Santa Cruz where he studied Agroecology — the study of sustainable agriculture — with the goal of transforming modern agriculture through integrated organic systems management. Having worked extensively in California and Hawaii and internationally in Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria, Marks acquired personal hands-​on experience in the fields of ecological design and sustainable agriculture.

In 2008, Marks was given the opportunity to bring environmental education and awareness to Southern California with the development of The Ecology Center. Come visit and be part of the solution!

The Ecology Center also recommends

South Coast Farms

30

reviews

Markt

Evan M. says,

«Orange County’s only organic farm — We love our neighbors at their great produce.»

Armstrong Growers

Evan M. says,

«great organic seedlings for your garden needs.»

Guerilla Beekeepers

10

reviews

Kammerjäger

Evan M. says,

«Responsible beehive removal and relocation (!) — Bill and his team are helping keep our pollinators going! Don’t exterminate when you can relocate!»