Nature Centers

If your family has yet to visit a local nature center, spring is the perfect time to do so. In addition to being an area of preserved environmental space perfect for exploring native wildlife, nature centers are a rich source of education, history, and (most importantly) fun!

Nature centers usually offer a number of public programs and exhibits for children as well as adults, making visits an inexpensive activity that’s enjoyable for the whole family. They often feature guided trail walks, too,

You can view a complete listing of nature centers in the United States here, or consider checking out one of the following.

Select Region: Northeast | Southeast | Midwest | Southwest | Pacific Northwest

Northeast

Cayuga Nature Center
With over five miles of trails, as well as indoor exhibits and a kids’ activity center, Cayuga Nature Center in seeks to spread awareness, appreciation, and responsibility for the natural world. The center also boasts a seasonal butterfly exhibit as well as a six-story tree house, making it just one of the many natural wonders in Ithaca, NY. Learn more at cayuganaturecenter.org.

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is a natural haven for Philadelphia, PA urbanites craving some green time. The center seeks to promote appreciation and responsible use of the ecosystem, and features a series of hiking trails and programs for children and teens, including a summer camp and after school program. Green roofs and solar panels demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. Visit schuylkillcenter.org for more.

Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Located in the heart of the Berkshires, the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation made the transition from dairy farm to nature center in 2000.  Open year round, the center features wildlife tours, lectures and films, and festivals in an effort to preserve Williamstown’s rural New England character. Additionally, the WRLF hosts a number of environmental and cultural education programs for both children and adults. See for yourself at wrlf.org.

Southeast

Three Lakes Nature Center and Aquarium
Learn about air, water, and land at the Three Lakes Nature Center and Aquarium in Richmond, VA. The center seeks to enhance the quality of life for local citizens through nature preservation, through means including cultural art, self-guided tours, and therapeutic recreation. Additionally, they’re especially kid-friendly, with a Nature Explorer Series for children ages 8-10, Masked Rascals for six and seven year olds, and Wee Wonder Wednesdays for 4-5 year old set. Visit online at http://www.co.henrico.va.us/rec/current_programs/three_lakes.html.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
The Oatland Island Wildlife Center invites visitors to discover the wild side of Savannah, GA. Dedicated to animal conservation, the center houses exhibits featuring wolves, alligators, birds of prey, and Georgia farm animals. They also feature a number of children’s programs, including Toddler Tuesdays and special events like Nature’s Pantry, which teaches students about the medicinal properties of wild plants. To learn more, visit sccpss.com.

Bluebonnet Swamp
Learn the ways of the bayou at Bluebonnet Swamp in Baton Rouge, LA. The organization includes an extensive number of opportunities to connect with the environment through beaches, zoos, observatories, gardens, and camping facilities. Bluebonnet Swamp also features children’s programs such as treasure hunts, an IronKid Triathalon, and fall and winter activities that guarantee to keep your little ones active all year long. Check them out at brec.org.

Midwest

Havenwoods State Forest
An area of preserved green space, Havenwoods State Forest seeks to provide environmental education and recreation opportunities for those in and around Milwaukee, WI. Follow nature trails in the spring and summer to seek out native species of wildflowers and birds, or go cross-country skiing when the temperature dips. For little ones, there’s a children’s discovery area as well as preschooler story times. Visit http://dnir.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/havenwoods/.

Cave Spring Historic Site and Nature Center
Visit caves, a wildlife pond habitat, hiking trails, or a butterfly garden at the Cave Spring Historic Site and Nature Center in Kansas City, MO. The center is currently undertaking a water garden project, as well as a park watch program that aims to protect and preserve the local environment. They also feature a number of programs for girl and boy scouts, including overnight trips and self-guided hikes. Visit cavespring.org for more.

The Outdoor Campus
The Outdoor Campus is an outdoor skills learning and nature center in Sioux Falls, SD. In addition to promoting wildlife and aquatic diversity, the Outdoor Campus offers to teach visitors the ins and outs of hunting, fishing, trapping, and dog training. They also feature a number of educational children’s programs, with fun names like “O” Is for Owl, Bodacious Black Tailed Prairie Dog, and Frolicking Frogs.  Read all about it at www.sdgfp.info.

Southwest

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center
Come to Flagstaff, AZ for a series of public nature programs at the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. They offer free family science activities, including a tour of the city recycling center, and hold a number of festivals like the Northern Arizona Sustainable Living Fair and the Festival of Science. Even better is Willow Bend’s commitment to preserve the wonder of the natural world through green practices such as low-water native gardens, solar energy, and composting. Learn more at http://www.willowbendcenter.org/.

Audubon Center at Debs Park
Located in Los Angeles, the Audubon Center at Debs Park seeks to bring people together through the wonders of nature. The center’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems through direct conservation, policy and advocacy, and education and outreach. While their nature sanctuaries are open to the public, the Audubon Center invites people to become members of Audubon California in an effort to help contribute to the center’s work. Visit http://www.ca.audubon.org/index.php for more.

Animal Ark
Reno, NV’s Animal Ark bills itself as a sanctuary for life. Generating the majority of their energy through solar and wind power, this nature center makes it clear that their eco priorities are in order. Animal Ark is home to a number of different species, including mountain lions, wolves, desert turtles, and peregrine falcons, and features special children’s programs and a science center. To find out more, as well as how to make a donation, visit http://www.animalark.org/index.html.

Pacific Northwest

North Mountain Park Nature Center
Visit the North Mountain Park Nature Center in Ashland, OR for beautiful trails, demonstration gardens, bird watching, and playgrounds. The center encourages families to spend time together in nature, and offers kid-friendly programs like a puppet theater, a special bird day, as well as free discovery kits to foster outdoor learning. North Mountain Park also prides itself on a number of sustainable practices, including organic gardening, solar energy, water conservation, and green building. Read all about it at http://www.northmountainpark.org/.

Nisqually Reach Nature Center
Olympia, WA’s Nisqually Reach Nature Center specializes in estuarine environmental education, offering hands-on opportunities for families to get in touch with their inner nature-lovers. The center offers programs for all ages such as Amazing Wetland Animals, Homing Instincts for Salmon, and numerous beach walks. Learn more about this Puget Beach nature haven at http://www.nisquallyestuary.org/.

MK Nature Center
MK Nature Center is located in Boise, and serves as the sole nature center in the state of Idaho. A friend to schools, MK Nature Center publishes a wildlife-centered newspaper for students in elementary and middle school, and hosts workshops for Project WILD, an education program that aims to spread environmental knowledge and awareness. Helping children and families experience Idaho’s fish and wildlife, the center joins the rank of Zoo Boise, numerous state parks, and the Idaho Botanical Gardens as part of Boise’s City of Trees. For more information, visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/education/mknc/.

Green Zoos

You can easily connect with the natural world this spring by stepping out into your own backyard, but your family can get a much bigger glimpse of the animal kingdom by visiting a local zoo. While all zoos are great opportunities for fun, exploration, and learning, we’ve outlined some of our favorites, all of which place importance on conservation efforts for animals, humans, and the planet.

Bronx Zoo
For a fun-filled (and educational) way to spend your weekend, take an outing to the Bronx Zoo. Hang with the great apes at the Congo Gorilla Forest or get into the wild with the Asian jungle where 800 critters share mangroves and beaches. Featuring anacondas, tigers, and crocodiles, (oh my!) the Bronx Zoo also offers many tips on how to go green and preserve wildlife, such as buying ocean-friendly seafood, recycling eco waste, and unplugging electronics when not in use. The zoo is also involved in the Carbon Footprint Project, which aims to help New York City residents lessen their consumption load and help save the animals! Learn about upcoming Bronx Zoo events as well as ways to go green at bronxzoo.com.

Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2300 Southern Blvd., Crotona Park, NY 10460

San Diego Zoo
San Diego is said to have some of the best weather on the planet. Warm temperatures, sunny skies–Sounds like a perfect day for the zoo! With a wide range of animals, plants, and ecosystems, you’ll likely need an entire day to check out all of what the San Diego Zoo has to offer. Little (human) cubs will love the Wildlife Park events, which include a butterfly jungle, caravan tour, and savanna safari! And for the lioness in your family, be sure to check out the research seminar or photo caravan safari series. And for all your eco-minded needs, the zoo also offers go green seminars as well as a “Dare To Go Green” guide for both home and office. For information on visiting, membership, upcoming events, and even ways you can support conservation, visit sandiegozoo.com.

Through March 8th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & March 9th- April 3rd 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, CA 92112

Philadelphia Zoo
There are a million reasons to visit the Philadelphia Zoo. It’s almost spring, so the weather will be great. You can play with barnyard animals, feed otters, and watch lions, pandas, and tortoises. You can take a zoo tour and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the animal kingdom. You can learn how the zoo is taking action to protect wildlife halt climate change with their FootPRINTS program. You can even have your birthday there! (Or celebrate the zoo’s birthday–this year marks their 150th anniversary.) Check out philadelphiazoo.com to learn more!

March through November, 9:30 a.m.- 5:00p.m.
3400 W. Girard Ave, Philadelphia 19104

National Zoo
Inject some adventure into your family’s tour of the nation’s capital with a visit to DC’s National Zoo. The zoo houses all sorts of animals, with everything from the Golden Lion Tamarin (a small monkey) to the Scarlet Ibis (a colorful bird). It also offers group packages and zoo news, which lets you in on the zoo’s latest arrivals, births, and hatchings. The National Zoo are also firm believers in conservation, and offer a multitude of educational programs and workshops to that end. Worried about the commute? The DC metro is inexpensive, with subway stopping right at this animal paradise. Learn more at http://nationalzoo.si.edu.

Grounds open daily 6 a.m.- 9 p.m.
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Cincinnati Zoo
Interested in seeing pint- size predators or a botanical garden with beautiful and exotic plants? Come to the Cincinnati Zoo! With exhibits, plants, gardens, and (of course) ANIMALS, this place is a (fur)ball of fun for the whole family. To ensure you see the whole zoo in one day, get an all-day ride train pass and visit all your animal friends at a faster pace. And with Easter just a hop away, the zoo is offering ten ways to green the holiday, including using recycled baskets, filling them with shredded newspaper (instead of the fake green grass), and giving organic candy. For more information on the Cincinnati Zoo and ways to go green for Easter, visit cincinnatizoo.org.

Daily 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m & May 25, 2009- September 7, 2009 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
3540 Beldare Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
If you want to watch a koala sleeping or a bear cleaning its cub, visit the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. In addition to being home to a whole caboodle of cute creatures, the zoo offers education programs to those interested in learning more about wildlife. Riverbanks also partners with Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to support and help conserve a wide range of animals and amphibians. Learn more about AZA or check out Riverbanks Zooview Live Webcam at & Garden riverbanks.org.

Daily 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210

Walkin’ Through the Woods

For us, the return of warm weather means the return of outdoor activities. While playing games in the front yard or local playground are always fun ways to let loose and burn off some energy, this spring why not try a walk on the wild side? A nature walk through a nearby trail or park is a fun way to connect as a family while connecting with the environment.

Before heading out, remember to gather your materials. In addition to plenty of water and some easy-to-eat snacks (try making trail mix with fruit, nuts, and Back to Nature granola), consider bringing along a local nature guide to help you identify different species, as well as a pair of binoculars or a magnifying glass for up-close examining. Since its best to leave natural habitats undisturbed, consider documenting your findings with a camera or pencil and sketchpad.

While you could stroll simply to enjoy the surroundings, you could also take the opportunity to turn your nature walk into an interactive adventure. Here are some of our favorite nature walk activities:

• Document your findings, then do some at-home research
• Play the I-Spy game
• Have a bird-counting contest
• If you’e in a relatively contained area where there’s no danger of getting lost, try a game of hide and seek
• Spend some time learning about what makes your region unique. Some birds and wildflowers to look out for:
  • Northeast: The Johnny jump up is an early spring wildflower with bright purple, yellow, and white petals, while the boreal chickadee is a small, short-billed bird with white cheeks and a brown back.
  • Southeast: Forget-me-nots are blue wildflowers with yellow centers, and tend to grow in clusters.   The swallow-tailed kite is a medium-sized hawk that’s black and white with a forked tail.
  • Midwest: Look for blue flaxes, which are wildflowers with cup-shaped (blue) petals. The blackburnian warbler is a small songbird with an orange throat and black and white stripes.
  • Pacific Northwest: The Western trillium or wake blossom is an early bloomer with three large, white petals that turn pink as the flower ages. Also look for the rufous hummingbird, which is tiny and rust-colored with sharp, buzzy chirps.
  • Southwest: The hedgehog cactus is the first cactus to bloom in spring–it’s barrel-shaped and has a scarlet, cup-shaped flower. And be on the lookout for the cactus wren, which has a white eyestripe, brown head, and spotted tailfeathers.

Outdoor Games

For kids who are used to getting their entertainment from TV, video games, or the computer, the outdoors might seem a little dull. Unfortunately, a simple round of hopscotch probably won’t stand a chance against the glitz of Guitar Hero or Hannah Montana. This spring, open your family’s eyes to the fun that can be had outside with some of these activities.

• Update old favorites like freeze tag or hide and seek by playing them at night with a flashlight.
• Find your inner artist outdoors by filling spray bottles with equal parts water and tempera paint, then spraying at an old sheet hung from a clothesline or between two trees.
• Take a walk around your town or neighborhood and note points of interest. While younger children can draw basic maps of your street, older kids can create an entire city guide or brochure.
• Take on a family gardening project, with different ages handling different responsibilities. Give your youngest a watering can while handing the big kids responsibility to check when a fruit or vegetable is ripe for the picking. To learn more about gardening with children, visit KinderGARDEN.
• Bring the wonders of nature to your front yard with birdfeeders. They can be as simple as peanut butter-covered pinecones rolled in birdseed, or go all out and build one out of plywood.
• After the sun sets, go Ultimate with a glow in the dark Frisbee. After you’ve worked up a sufficient appetite, have a midnight picnic.