Fontana, California, August 26, 2011.  The Mayor and City Council invite the public to join the Mary Vagle Nature Center for their adventurous and educational programs. The Mary Vagle Nature Center is located at 11501 Cypress Avenue in Fontana and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

On September 24 the Nature Center and the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District will host a National Public Lands Day event.  Bring your family, scout, or community group and join the Center for a celebration of our urban natural areas.  There will be a volunteer work project at the Nature Center from 9:00am – 12:00pm and a Family Environment Education Fair from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

On October 1 join amateur astronomers from the Riverside Astronomical society on a fascinating tour through our autumn sky.  Solar scopes will be set up from 4:30pm – sunset to provide dramatic views of the sun like you have never seen before, followed by night-time views of Jupiter and the crescent moon.

Ongoing weekend programs include Discovery Hikes, Adventures into Nature, Nature Ranger, and EarthCraft Afternoons. Discovery Hikes are held every first Saturday of the month, and this month it will be on September 3 at 9:30 am. Adventures into Nature are every second Saturday of the month, and will be on September 10 at 12 pm. Nature Rangers are every third Saturday of month, and will be on September 17 at noon. EarthCraft afternoons are every last Sunday of the month, and will be September 24 at noon.

For more information about events at the Mary Vagle Nature Center, please call the Center at (909) 349-6994 or visit their website at nature.fontana.org.