Please Note:
Children of the Earth United offers a
listing of nature centers as a way of letting people know about the
special activities that are taking place. The information listed
below has
been provided by the nature centers. Children of the Earth United's representatives have
not had the opportunity to visit each center and therefore do not make any specific claims
as to the quality of the facilities or programs. |
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Madrona Marsh Preserve The Madrona Marsh Preserve is a remnant natural vernal wetland complex including ancient dunes, vernal pools and seasonal wetlands that were sustained by historic drainage from the San Gabriel Mountains. Between 17 and 20 acres of the Preserve is a seasonal wetlands that fills in the winter and spring and is completely dry by late summer or early fall. The balance of the Preserve is sandy upland back-dune habitat with seven vernal pools that fill with rainwater and dry completely in about one-to-four weeks. This seasonal regime produces a unique ecosystem and its significance is evidenced by the diversity of life that reside there. Within the approximately 44 acres, over 250 species of plants, over 65 families of insects, two amphibians, three reptiles, three mammals, and 242 species of birds use the Preserve as residence or during fall and spring migration. The land that is now the Preserve was dedicated to the City of Torrance in 1986. However, since 1971, tremendous conservation efforts were put forth by the Friends of the Madrona Marsh. It is their original passion that "saved" the land from being developed into condominiums and that same passion continued to get the Nature center built and dedicated on 2001. The passion remains as strong today as in the past as both City of Torrance employees and Friends of Madrona Marsh work to teach about the Preserve through programs (classes, shared research, and nature walks) for tots, school-age children, adults and seniors, and work to restore the natural resources of the Madrona Marsh Preserve. The Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo 5200 Nature Center Road Pueblo, CO 81003 USA Phone: (719) 549-2414 Web Site: www.gncp.org The Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo serves the region by providing educational, recreational and conservation programs related primarily to the environment, natural and cultural history. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset year-round. Recreational opportunities abound for all ages. The Arkansas River Trail connects to 36 miles of paved riverside Greenway Trails. The Nature Center offers educational programs to groups and to the public. There is also a Raptor Center which offers:
New Canaan Nature Center 144 Oenoke Ridge New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 USA Phone: (203) 966-9577 Web Site: www.fieldtrip.com/ct/39669577.htm Established in 1960, the center occupies 40 acres of diverse habitats, including wet and dry meadows, 2 ponds, a cattail marsh, an apple orchard, herb garden, and a small arboretum. It supports a wide variety of wildlife and offers an interesting setting for the study of the natural environment. Two miles of trails, a discovery center, classrooms, a solar greenhouse, apple cider house, maple syrup shed, and Naturalist's Garden offer plenty of opportunity for individuals, families, and groups to explore and study the natural world and human effects upon it. Throughout the year the center offers a wide range of programs and activities for families. Programs may be seasonal and different programs are offered each month. In addition, there are a wide range of school programs to choose from as well as after school programs and a Summer Nature Camp. Picnic areas are available by reservation. All facilities, except trails, are handicap accessible. Trails are open dawn to dusk daily.
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. . Northwest Park and Nature Center 145 Lang Road Windsor, CT 06095 Phone: (860) 285-1886 Web Site: www.northwestpark.org 473 acres of diverse habitat multi recreational park 15 miles of trail, including a Braille trail nature center and exhibit area animal barn and pastures offer environmental education programs for preK-7th grades.
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. . Canton, Connecticut USA Phone: (860) 693-0263 Web Site: www.sciencecenterct.org/roaring.htm Roaring Brook
Nature Center, located 12 miles west of the Science Center of Connecticut in the hills of
Canton, offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Connecticut's
countryside while learning about local flora and fauna. The present facility houses both
permanent and seasonal displays as well as a replica of an Eastern Woodland Indian
longhouse, a wildlife attraction area and a collection of live animals, including two bald
eagles. Five miles of trails meander through the adjacent state owned Warner's Woods,
visiting streams, fields and woodland habitats - home to a variety of wildlife species
including over 150 species of birds. The center is open to the public throughout the year
and offers both school and public programs on a variety of natural history related topics.
Fern
Forest Nature Center This 243
acre park, a Designated Urban Wilderness Area, opened in November 1985. It comprises
10 plant communities, an abundance of wildlife, remnants of the historic Cypress Creek
floodway, an arboretum that includes 24 varieties of native trees and shrubs and an
exhibit room that features interpretive exhibits on the park's history.
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. Secret
Woods Nature Center Purchased with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy, this
Designated Urban Wilderness Area was Broward County’s first interpretive nature
center. The 56-acre park, which opened in September 1978, comprises three vegetative
communities found along, and influenced by the New River: a freshwater
cypress-maple wetland, a pond apple and mangrove community along the river, and, at a
slightly higher elevation, a laurel oak hammock.
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. Tree
Tops Park The 356 acres of this suburban park range from 23 acres of
restored freshwater marsh accessible by a 1,000-foot boardwalk to the 101-acre Pine Island
Ridge, an archaeological site that includes equestrian and nature trails and is the
highest natural elevation (29 feet) in Broward County.
Chattahoochee Nature Center The Chattahoochee Nature Center is an environmental education center located in North Atlanta on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Serving more than 100,000 visitors each year, the 127 acre facility has nature trails, a wetland boardwalk, live animals, a wildlife rehabilitation center and educational exhibits. A variety of programs are offered through the Nature Center, including:
For more information, feel free to contact the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
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. 435 Cougar Lane Eillijay, Georgia 30540 Phone: (706) 276-2980 www.wildliferehabsanctuary.org The Ellijay Georgia Wildlife
Rehabilitation Sanctuary is a 501 c-3 non-profit organization. We are Federally
& State licensed to operate an A-1 wildlife rehab in which we take animals which
are orphaned or injured, rehabilitate them, and whenever possible release them
back into the wild. When release is not possible, due to certain kinds of
injures, we build special habitat areas for them to live in. These animals are
then shared through our educational programs. Severson Dells Nature Center 8786 Montague Road Rockford, IL 61102 Phone: (815)335-2915 www.SeversonDells.org Severson Dells Nature Center connects people of all ages to nature, but our emphasis is on children. We provide approximately 3,500 children with field experiences each year. We focus on the nature of northern Illinois and use the 369-acre Severson Dells Forest Preserve as a living classroom. Our three educators provide teachers with customized curriculum to match their classroom lessons with hands-on, dirt-under-the-fingernails outdoor experiences. We bring to life the lessons of the classroom. . . . . .
Village of Itasca Spring Brook Nature Center 130 Forest Ave Itasca, IL 60143 Phone: 630 - 773 - 5572 www.itasca.com The Village
of Itasca’s Spring Brook Nature Center is a 67-acre
preserve in the heart of suburban Itasca, just 30
miles from downtown
Chicago. We serve the Itasca and surrounding
communities by providing educational, recreational
and conservation programs
related primarily to the environment, natural
history and birds of prey. The grounds are open
sunrise to sunset year-round, with *
Rehabilitative care for injured birds of prey (hawks, owls, eagles, falcons,
vultures)
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Audubon Louisiana Nature Center 10601 Dwyer Road New Orleans LA 70127 USA Phone: (504) 246-5672 Web Site: www.auduboninstitute.org Audubon Louisiana Nature Center wants to lead and inspire a diverse audience to a better and deeper appreciation of the natural world. This Nature Center plays a vital role in educating large numbers of southeast Louisiana residents on a wide range of environmental topics and of making these same people aware of the uniqueness and value of our local environment. Audubon Louisiana Nature Center has animals native to the New Orleans area. Open to the public Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. We offer: shows, guided path walks, an interpretive center, scout overnights, classes, a planetarium, a volunteer program and much more! Green Briar Nature Center 6 Discovery Hill Road East Sandwich, MA 02537 USA Phone: (508) 888-6870 Web Site: /www.thorntonburgess.org/Green%20Briar.htm At the Green Briar Nature Center, you will find a quiet corner of Cape Cod - a sanctuary of peace and beauty in all seasons. Located on the shores of Smiling Pool and adjacent to the famous Briar Patch of Thornton Burgess’s stories, Green Briar offers interpreted nature trails and an elaborate wild flower garden. Natural history programs for children and adults are offered year-round and include classes, field trips, guided walks, and workshops on the natural sciences. Outreach programs to area schools and other institutions are also an important part of Green Briar’s services to the community. Members of the education staff visit schools, nursing homes and clubs offering slide presentations, lectures and classes. Adjacent to Green Briar is the 57-acre Briar Patch Conservation Area, home of Peter Rabbit and many of the other Thornton Burgess animal characters. Walking trails are open to the public. The Kalamazoo Nature Center 7000 N. Westedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49004 Phone: 616-381-1574 Web Site: www.naturecenter.org Founded in 1960, the Kalamazoo Nature Center features a 1,000-acre nature preserve, live birds of prey and other animals on display, a variety of interactive, educational exhibits, and extensive programs in environmental education and research. The Interpretive Center recently underwent a $2.5 million renovation, including a new $1 million hands-on interactive exhibit called "Nature Up Close," which features nature exhibits that are 10 times the size of life. Other special centers include the Expedition Station, the Tropical Sun-Rain Room, the Special Events Barn, the Martha G. Parfet Butterfly House and an 11 acre arboretum. There are also 11 different nature trails to suit varying levels of ability.
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Outdoor
Discovery Center The Outdoor Discovery Center is s 501(c)(3) non-profit outdoor education facility. The 120 acre nature preserve is classroom for students and members of the community to learn about natural and cultural history. Live deer and elk, a birds of prey facility, a 1/2 mile sensory trail, Founder's Hall education building, and over 4 miles of trails. Wetlands, ponds, remnant dune, remnant prairie, lowland hardwood forest and meadow habitats have produced over 155 bird species for bird watchers. Grounds are open daylight hours 365 days per year. Building hours are 8-5 Monday thru Friday, 10-4 Saturday, and 12-4 Sunday.
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Sarett Nature Center
Houston
Nature Center The Houston Nature Center is owned and operated by the City of Houston, MN. It serves as Houston's Trailhead for the Root River Trail, so it includes visitor information, restrooms and showers. It is located in 18-acre Trailhead Park, which includes native wetland and prairie plantings. During the summer months free public programs are offered every Saturday evening at 7:00 PM. Programs topics include everything from fossil collecting, birds, prairie, bats, frogs, Native Americans, storytelling, and much more. School groups are welcome to visit the nature center, but our facility can only handle groups of up to 40 people. More often our nature center programs are taken into the local schools. By far the most popular program is our Birds of Prey program, which features a hands-on game show and the ever-popular Alice the Great Horned Owl.
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The River Bend Nature Center The River Bend Nature
Center is an independent, member-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping people discover, enjoy, understand and preserve the incredible natural
world that surrounds us. The center serves over 16,000 people a year with a wide
variety of programming on the beautiful 700 acre site. The River Bend Nature
Center offers a range of educational experiences for youth and adults alike.
From their "Turn Towards Nature" curriculum-based school programs which extends
learning from the classroom to the out-of-doors to weekend public programs and
events that the whole family can enjoy. Cayuga Nature Center 1420 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca, NY 14850 USA Phone: (607) 273 - 6260 Web site: www.fcinet.com/cnc Cayuga Nature Center (CNC) is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to providing education for schools, community groups and the general public throughout the year. Its 135 acres of fields, streams and woodlands provide areas for hiking, cross- country skiing and nature study. Self-guided trails provide an opportunity to identify wildflowers, trees and learn the history of the area. A hike down the Wishing Tree Trail leads to the Pioneer Homestead cabin and Native Fruit Garden. Environmental education programs and workshops for children and adults are offered throughout the year. The winterized lodge is available for weekend, evening or weekday rentals. Overnight accommodations include dormitories with 75 bunks, bathrooms with showers, a large kitchen, dining room, multi-purpose room with fireplace and an enclosed front porch overlooking Cayuga Lake. The Nature Center offers many exhibits, a conference room, a classroom and a library. Miles of trails are open for hiking and biking.
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Hudson Valley Raptor Center A unique and exciting place for
children and adults alike to learn about B Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine
Falcons, Great Horned Owls, and many other wild birds of prey. Located on 91 scenic
acres, the Hudson Valley Raptor Center has over 100 raptors (birds of prey) of 20 species,
many are threatened or endangered.
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. Seatuck
Environmental Association The Seatuck Environmental Association is dedicated to the study and conservation of native
species and their natural habitats within the Long Island region. Seatuck sponsors and
conducts scientific research in ecology, and ecological aspects of public health issues.
The Association also provides technical information to aid in the formulation of public
policy, and promotes environmental education to facilitate conservation of their region's
biological diversity. The Seatuck Environmental Association is a public, non-profit organization which has its headquarters located on the Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Islip, New York. The Seatuck Environmental Association offers many different learning opportunities including: on-site education programs and off-site public outreach programs for schools, public libraries and other community organizations. Call to find out about more about these exciting programs.
Lake
Milton Raptor Center The Raptor Center is a non-profit organization that takes it non-releasable birds of prey, and gives them a home for life. The birds they keep can't survive by them selves in the wild. They take their raptors to schools, church picnics, sporting centers/outdoor shows, girl scouts, boy scouts, etc. Not only to let people see these birds up close, but also to educate the public about the raptors. Conservation through education by educating the public they become consciously aware that we share land with these magnificent birds of prey. The Lake Milton Raptor Center was founded by Aimee and Matthew Pico. Aimee has a zoology degree from Akron University and Matthew has a fine arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design. Aimee once worked at a wildlife rehabilitation clinic and became aware of what happens to raptors that are not a candidate for release back into the wild due to their injury. These raptors are placed into education programs through out the US. When there is not a place for the raptor to go in the time frame that the federal government sets in the rehabilitation regulations, the raptor has to be euthanized. Aimee and Matthew built the facility and applied for all the correct permits needed though the Ohio state and US government to give a home to save some of the raptors from euthanasia. The birds are now ambassadors of their species to teach the public about our wildlife.
Great
Valley Nature Center For over twenty years the Great Valley Nature Center has been helping to
raise public awareness on environmental issues through a fine program of educational
exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops.The ten and a half acre site encompasses many
diverse habitats, including a small stream, wetlands, a large pond, fields, and woods. A
Please Touch exhibit room offers a variety of interactive displays and games for children.
Live animals, auditorium, classroom, and a teacher's resource library complete the
Education Building's features. Austin Nature & Science Center Austin, Texas USA Phone: (512) 327-8181 Web Site: www.ci.austin.tx.us/nature-science/ansc.htm Encounter native animals,
plants and the geology of Central Texas at the Austin Nature & Science Center. Explore
this unique environment with hands-on exhibits, interactive nature and science trails and
live Texas wildlife. Visit the Discovery Lab where hands-on experiences feature
seven mini-science labs including mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology and geology. Come
experience bats, butterflies and bones. Crawl through a Hill Country cave in the Nature of
Austin exhibit. Meander down the Eco-Detective Trail and see how many indicators of
wildlife you can discover. Visit the tiniest Austin residents in the Small Wonders
Exhibit. Live wildlife exhibits feature more than 50 native Texas animals that can't be
returned to the wild. Stroll through the woods; listen to the calls of owls, hawks and
ravens in the Birds of Prey exhibit.
The Aldo
Leopold Nature Center The Aldo Leopold Nature Center would like to
welcome you to explore the land and enjoy the many wonders of the outdoor world. The
Center’s mission is to teach love, respect, and admiration for the land in the spirit
of Wisconsin's renowned conservationist, Aldo Leopold.The center is proud to offer a new
educational video for all audiences. Aldo Leopold Learning from the Land Leopold Learning from the Land recounts the biography of
Wisconsin’s famous environmentalist.
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. Bethel
Horizons Environmental Education Program Bethel Horizons consists of 460 acres of
diverse plant and animal communities ideally situated adjacent to Governor Dodge State
Park.
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. Brillion Nature Center
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. International
Crane Foundation The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland and grassland communities in which they depend. The International Crane Foundation is dedicated to providing experience, knowledge and inspiration to involve people in resolving threats to these ecosystems. To accomplish its mission, the ICF, a non-profit organization, relies on a wide range of educational and conservation activities directed towards the many countries that cranes inhabit. A collection of captive cranes is maintained at their headquarters near Baraboo, Wisconsin. There the members of the ICF pursue vital techniques for crane preservation: captive breeding and reintroduction into the wild. This, combined with their many research efforts, enables them to conduct many educational programs. Families groups and schools can visit the site and also benefit from outreach programs such as staff presentations and the Midwest Crane Count. Second, the ICF strives to inform people throughout the US, through outreach programs, educational materials and films, national media coverage of their programs and a very informational web site. On an international level, they train and offer expertise in habitat management, restoration, ecology, captive management and propagation to colleagues in many countries. Check out their excellent web site for more information on the wonderful things that this organization is involved in and for great background information on the unique and beautiful creatures this organization strives to protect.
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. MacKenzie
Environmental Education Center
There are so many opportunities to learn at the center. Have
fun learning as you use the wildlife exhibit, nature trails and museums in a self-guided
day program. Guidebooks and teaching materials are available to enhance your experience.
The center is a popular place, organized groups must make reservations before their
visits. For overnight stays contact the Resident Center for more information. Seven
self-guiding trails, two accessible, can be hiked at the MacKenzie Center. Ecology,
Nature, Wildlife, Conifer and Hardwood management are the trail themes. The Center
continues to expand its prairie through new plantings. See what a prairie looked like and
see the bison that roamed the prairie.
Community Horticultural Enterprise They have turned what used to be part of the town dump into a community garden growing vegetables and fruit. It is like an eco community centre beside the lake.
Children of the Earth United offers a listing of nature centers across the country as a way of letting people know about the special activities that are taking place. The information listed above has been provided by the nature centers. Children of the Earth United's representatives have not had the opportunity to visit each center and therefore do not make any specific claims as to the quality of the facilities or programs. Click here if you would like to have your nature center listed on this page at no charge.
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