Months after the devastating Bond Fire claimed the home of OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors program, kindness continues to pour in from the Orange County community.
As we’ve noted, the Bond Fire arrived with a speed and intensity that made it impossible for the evacuation team to approach. As such, a number of Inside the Outdoor’s animal ambassadors did not survive the blaze. Recognizing the vital role animals play in developing an environmental education program, ITO’s longstanding partners at the Orange County Zoo stepped in to lend a helping hand.
Over the past few weeks, ITO staff members were invited inside the zoo for a special photo and video shoot featuring a variety of animals. The footage will be used to help Inside the Outdoors rebuild its virtual library for future public programming.
This video, courtesy of OC Parks, provides a special behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot.
Inside the Outdoors remains committed to providing science learning and enrichment to students across Orange County through various virtual field trip and traveling scientist programs. Visit the ITO website to learn more and to register for the program that will best support classroom instruction. For questions, please email ITOregistration@ocde.us or call 714-708-3885.
Additionally, while there is no timetable yet for rebuilding structures or rehabbing the site, a “Rebuild Inside the Outdoors” GoFundMe page has been set up to collect funds on behalf of the Inside the Outdoors Foundation. Donations will help support educational programs, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Rancho Soñado’s caretaker and her family, who lost their home and most of their belongings in the fire.