Photo credit: Joel Robinson/Naturalist For You

As a naturalist, Joel Robinson is familiar with the relationship between the urban jungle and the natural one.

One of his favorite aspects of leading nature tours is watching people discover just how close a relationship it is.

With summer around the corner, Robinson is expanding the variety of tours he leads with his organization, Naturalist For You. This week, he will lead two weekday tours through local natural areas.

“The best comment we get is, ‘I just had no idea whatsoever that this could exist in Orange County,’ ” Robinson said.

Robinson founded the nonprofit Naturalist For You in 2007 after realizing the need for interpretive guides in national forests and state and county parks.

Photo credit: Joel Robinson/Naturalist For You

He leads free nature tours of varying difficulties to connect people to the diverse, natural areas in their backyards. Robinson expects demand for the tours to increase over the summer, so he’s adding variety to his calendar.

On Wednesday (May 20), Robinson is offering an easy family tour up Black Star Canyon Roadthat begins at 1 p.m. He expects the jaunt to be no more than three miles roundtrip, but said people shouldn’t shy away if that seems like too far to walk.

“We’re a journey-based organization versus destination based,” he said. “I’m not necessarily concerned with getting people to a certain point as much as what they can see along the way.”

Two May 21 (Thursday) tours through the oak and sycamore woodland next to Santiago Creek will also be family friendly. Those interested in learning about the local flora and fauna should meet at the Santiago Creek Wildlife and Watershed Center. The first tour begins at 11 a.m. and the second starts at 4 p.m.

Photo credit: Joel Robinson/Naturalist For You

Robinson will also add nocturnal tours during the summer. The nighttime exploration in search of wildlife can make people a little jumpy, he said.

“Everybody’s a little on edge. If something shifts in the bushes, everybody jumps,” he said.

As much as possible, Robinson bases his tours on the public’s interests, he said.

By getting to know people who live near trails, he finds out what types of tours they would like him to offer. He varies the types of hikes to benefit the most people, offering everything from easy to strenuous tours.

Photo credit: Joel Robinson/Naturalist For You

For more information or to schedule a group or private tour, call Robinson at 714-639-8480 or visit the Naturalist For You Web site.

–- Jennifer Gish

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