'Agents Of Nature' App Launched For Children To Explore Griffith Park

GRIFFITH PARK (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles' first free nature mobile was launched Monday at Griffith Park.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge, along with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Get To Know and VERIZON introduced the app, Agents of Nature, at 11 a.m.

The mobile app game will be installed at Griffith Park's Charlie Turner Trailhead, 2800 East Observatory Ave.

Agents of Nature gives youth the ability to learn about the plants, animals and sites they find while hiking through the park.

It was developed by the non-profit Get to Know for kids to become "secret agents of nature" by getting outdoors and unlocking mysteries.

Teacher Mario Moya brought his 5th-graders to the park for the launch.

"To not only visit the park and get that physical exercise but also talking about the environment and the rocks and the physical matter that's involved with this type of habitat," Moya said of his goals for the students.

Sponsors say the app provides a fusion of technology and life sciences that's fun and important for kids.

"Proficiency in science will be the key to our nation's future in the 21st century, and I say this because the U.S. currently ranks 38th in science amongst developed countries," Verizon VP Gov. & External Affairs Gene Eng said.

The app was already launched at 10 mission sites in Canada and two in the United States - in Washington and Wisconsin.