Region Three Nature Centers
Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties
Region Three includes the largest private nature preserve in New York State - the 6,000-acre Mohonk Preserve in Ulster County. The region also has several other preserves, nature centers and other accessible lands for the public to enjoy.
DEC encourages visitors to call ahead to confirm directions, hours of operation, and/or user fee information.
Note: By clicking on the links for these environmental centers, you will go off DEC's website.
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Center
79 Farmstead Lane (Rt 9D)
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
845-831-8780
Dutchess County
Program Description: Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center's 1,000+ acres of rolling farmland with cultivated crop lands, pastures, thickets, hardwood forests, swamps, ponds and streams provide a rich variety for plant and wildlife communities and their study along the 7 miles of interpreted trails. Outdoor exhibits include native tree species, birds, herb garden and perennial garden.
Hours: Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset, year-round
Ashokan Center
477 Beaverkill Road
Olivebridge, NY 12461
845-657-8333
Ashokan Center Website
Ulster County
Program Description: Owned and operated by SUNY New Paltz, Ashokan Field Campus is a residential outdoor/environmental education center 10 miles west of Kingston in the foothills of the Catskills. Ashokan is an ideal location for class or faculty retreats, hands-on outdoor learning and environmental education. The site offers canoeing, hiking, picnicking and swimming by prior arrangement. Camping for members only.
Hours: Guided group programs by appointment. Education programs for children, September - June
Fees: Call for information
Buildings: Restrooms
Wheelchair access: Limited Access
Visitor Focus: Schools, Special Audiences
Picnic Area: Yes
Beczak Environmental Education Center
35 Alexander Street
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-377-1900
Fax: 914-377-1173
Beczak Environmental Education Center Website
Westchester County
Program Description: Beczak Environmental Education Center has a long standing relationship with Westchester County Schools. We provide hands-on, Hudson River-based programs designed to meet the New York State Education Standards. Our educators provide both indoor and outdoor programs which focus on the ecology, geology, and history of the Hudson River. Our most popular program is Seining the Hudson River. Students find out what lives under the waves by using a large seine net that is dragged through the water to catch fish and other remarkable Hudson River creatures. View our School Workshop Offerings on our website to find out how our programs fit into your curriculum or scout badge requirements or call to receive more information.
Hours: Office: Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: Seining Program: $120 for 1 hour; $150 for 90 minutes
In-school Program: $120 for 1 hour; $175 for 90 minutes
Buildings: Environmental center & Hudson River beach area are open to the public by appointment only
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, Scouts, and Community groups
Picnic Area: picnic tables are available for after a scheduled program
Belleayre Mountain Interactive Nature Center
PO Box 313
Highmount, NY 12441
845-254-5600 ext 303
Fax: 845-254-5608
Belleayre Mountain Interactive Nature Center Website
Ulster County
Program Description: The Belleayre Mountain Interactive Nature Center is a seasonal, hands-on learning experience for everyone. Visitors to the Nature Center are strongly encouraged to look, touch, feel, smell and examine. From "eating" like a bird, stroking the fur of a Coyote or Bobcat, watching fish, or picking up some very informative literature, there is something for everyone. The Nature Center invites everyone from local community, to area visitors, to school group and more to come, see and feel for themselves how fun and informative nature can be.
Hours: Early July thru Labor Day: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM // Early July - Columbus Day: Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (** The hours for the Nature Center may change yearly, please call 845-254-5600 for hours.)
Fees: Free
Buildings: The Nature Center is located in the Longhouse Lodge
Wheelchair Access: Yes
Visitor Focus: general public
Picnic Area: There are picnic tables available at both the Longhouse Lodge and the Overlook Lodge to picnic at.
Bowdoin Park and Wilcox Park
Dutchess County Parks Division
85 Sheafe Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
845-298-4602
Fax: 845-298-4609
Bowdoin Park & Wilcox Park Website
Dutchess County
Program Description: The Park Naturalists for Dutchess County Parks work at Bowdoin Park in the Town of Poughkeepsie, Wilcox Park in the Town of Milan, and schools throughout the area offering educational opportunities for children and adults of all ages. Our programs tend to be hands on to facilitate learning through experience rather than lecture. Throughout the year, our schedule includes Animal Track ID, Apple Cidering, Archery, Basic Survival, Forest Study, Mammals, Map and Compass, Maple Sugaring, Nature Hikes, Pond Exploration, Prehistoric Native Americans, and Water programs. In the summer, children ages 9-14 attend our day camp to spend more time learning about nature and the outdoors. We also work with scout troops.
Hours: Parks open at 9:00 AM and closing hours change seasonally. // Programs normally run between the hours of 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mon.-Fri. Programs for the public are offered on some weekends.
Fees: $5 per participant for school and scout programs, weekend public programs are free.
Buildings: Bowdoin Park- Education Center, Community Center, Maple Knoll Lodge, Maple Sugaring Shed, pavilions. Wilcox Park- pavilions.
Wheelchair access: Yes, Education Center, Community Center, Maple Knoll Lodge, pavilions.
Visitor Focus: schools, scouts, community groups, public
Picnic Area: Yes
Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary
PO Box 174
Cold Spring, NY 10516
845-265-2601
Fax: 845-265-1064
Constitution Marsh Website
Putnam County
Program Description: Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary, is a unique 270-acre tidal marsh located in Cold Spring. The mission at Constitution Marsh Sanctuary is twofold: to provide stewardship of this fragile wetland and to teach others about it. They believe there is no substitute for a trip to the shoreline, where one can explore and discover the river first hand. The goal for the sanctuary is to give all visitors, whatever their age, the opportunity to closely observe river life and thus gain new insights into the natural world. They achieve this through education programs onsite such as public canoeing and also through outreach programs in schools.
Hours: Grounds: Open daily 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM // Visitor Center open Tues. - Sun. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: There are fees for school programs and the canoe programs, call for details
Buildings: Nature center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: yes, call for more information
Visitor Focus: school, general public
Picnic Area: yes
Croton Point Nature Center
PO Box 64
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
914-271-8134
Croton Point Nature Center Website
Westchester County
Program Description: Located in Croton Point Park, the nature center offers a variety of programs for organized groups during the weeks and the general public on weekends. Programs can include river ecology, bird walks, history hikes, slide presentations, basketmaking workshops, and shoreline exploration walks. During the summer, the center also offers nature study and survival skills camps. Housed within the center are various archaeological exhibits, local fauna mounts, and a brackish water aquarium.
Hours: September - June: Wed. - Sun.: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM and July - August: Mon. - Fri.: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fees: Park parking fee of $7
Buildings: Nature center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes, in the park
Forsyth Nature Center
Lucas Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
845-331-1682 ext. 132
Forsyth Nature Center Website
Ulster County
Program Description: Owned and operated by the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department, the Forsyth Nature Center offer's year round environmental education programs at it's facility in Forsyth Park as well as it's Hudson River Parks. The nature center offer's 18 hand's on animal exhibits and a variety of gardens. The facility also provides year round bird walks, kayaking, snowshoeing, school and private programs as well as summer week long nature programs geared for children.
Hours: Open Year Round, Mon. - Fri.: 7:00 AM - 5:00PM // Sat. - Sun.: (in May - October) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (October - April) 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Fees: Facility is free for visitors, some programs have nominal fees
Buildings: Park features, Gazebos, Bathrooms, Playgrounds, Adjacent to Dietz Stadium
Wheelchair access: Facility is Accessible
Visitor Focus: General Public and School Children
Picnic Area: Yes
Frost Valley Environmental Education Center
Frost Valley YMCA
2000 Frost Valley Road
Claryville, NY 12725
845-985-2291
Fax: 845-985-0056
Frost Valley Environmental Education Center Website
Ulster County
Program Description: A 4,900-acre facility in the Catskills, Frost Valley provides programming for schools and conference groups year round. Programs include natural science, adventure education and wilderness experience. A teaching staff of 21 is available mid-week for residential school programs and weekends by arrangement. Specialty programs include maple sugaring, cider pressing, gardening, US Geological acid rain survey station, canoeing, wildlife studies, ice cutting and winter recreation programs.
Hours: Guided programs year-round. Interpretive building - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: Call for information.
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes; buildings, limited access to trails.
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Greenburgh Nature Center
Town of Greenburgh
99 Dromore Road (off Central Park Avenue)
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-723-3470
Fax: 914-725-6599
Greenburgh Nature Center Website
Westchester County
Program Description: We are a 33-acre woodland preserve with trails, pond, gardens, and outdoor animal exhibits, including a birds of prey aviary. Our indoor exhibits include a live animal museum with over 100 specimens, exhibit areas focusing on nature and the environment, a greenhouse with botanical exhibits, and a gift shop. We offer school programs, birthday parties and special programs for groups of all ages on a wide range of environmental topics, either here or as an outreach.
Hours: Indoor Exhibits and Animal Museum: Mon. - Thurs.: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM; Sat. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM // Grounds open daily dawn to dusk.
Fees: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors/students, $5 for children ages 2-12 and FREE for members and children under 2 years.
Buildings: Visitor Center with indoor exhibits, restrooms and animal museum.
Wheelchair access: Yes; interpretive center only.
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Greenkill Outdoor Environmental Education Center
YMCA/YWCA Camping Services of Greater NY
300 Big Pond Road
Huguenot, NY 12746
845-858-2200
Fax: 845-858-7823
Greenkill Outdoor Environmental Education Center Website
Orange County
Program Description: Visit our 1,150 acres of diverse habitat including hard and softwood forests and fresh water lakes and streams. An experiential approach to learning about the natural environment and the interrelationships between plants, animals, and humans.
Hours: Year round (residential) programming with diverse hours
Fees: Call for more information.
Buildings: Environmental Education Center, Gold standard LEED certified (teaching) lodge, dining hall, other lodges.
Wheelchair access: EE center, dining hall, 2 lodges, some trails
Visitor Focus: schools/colleges/universities, families, community groups, etc.
Picnic Area:Informal picnicking
Louis Calder Conservation & Ecology Center
Fordham University
53 Whippoorwille Road
Armonk, NY 10504
914-273-3078, ext. 10
Fax: 914-273-2167
Louis Calder Conservation & Ecology Center Website
Westchester County
Program Description: The Louis Calder Center is a biological field station operated by Fordham University, and established in 1967 for ecological research and environmental education. The Calder Center consists of 113 forested acres with opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain hands-on skills in field biology and environmental studies. The station also supervises a limited number of high-school science research students, in collaboration with regional schools. The Calder Center is one of the few field stations in North America with relatively undisturbed communities near a large urban center.
Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: Call for information.
Buildings: Calder Hall (library, research and teaching labs, lecture rooms, restrooms); McCarthy Laboratory (research); Lakeside Lodge (administration, student study room)
Wheelchair access: Calder Hall accessible; trails are not
Picnic Area: No
Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center
584 Route 9D
P.O. Box 249
Garrison, NY 10524
845-424-3812
Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center Website
Putnam County
Program Description: Manitoga is the historic home, studio and 75-acre woodland garden of pre-eminent modernist designer Russel Wright. Manitoga's programs include a 90-minute interpretive tour, a Summer Nature & Design Camp for youth, internships in modern design and landscape, six annual volunteer landscape days, Cocktail Walks and other special events that interpret Wright's philosophy of living in harmony with nature, and an annual honoring of excellence in modern design and environmentalism with the Russel Wright Award.
Hours: Tours on selected weekdays at 11:00 AM and Saturdays & Sundays: 11:00 AM & 1:30 PM. Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.org
Fees: General $15; Seniors 62 and older $13; Children 12 years and younger $5; National Trust members $12; Manitoga members, American Horticultural Society and Longhouse Preserve members free.
Hiking trails open to public year-round during daylight hours. $5 Suggested donation helps support trail maintenance.
Buildings: Main House and Studio, plus Visitors' Guide House
Wheelchair access: No. Tour and woodland paths include uneven terrain, footbridges without handrails, and a steep series of stone steps without a handrail. Individuals unable to walk unassisted will not be able to participate in tour.
Visitor Focus: Architecture, Modern Design, Historic Preservation, Environmental Education, Landscape Architecture
Picnic Area: Not specifically, but carry-in/carry-out picnickers welcome in trail areas.
Marshlands Conservancy
Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation
19 Bradhurst Ave.
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914-835-4466
Marshlands Conservancy Website
Westchester County
Program Description: Marshlands is a 137-acre wildlife sanctuary of hardwood forest, a maintained field, a salt marsh, and a half mile of shoreline on Milton Harbor. Guided tours are available for school and other groups on weekdays. Two hour programs on seasonal topics are given every Saturday and Sunday for the general public. An ecology program is provided during the summer months for children.
Hours: Guided programs: Wed. - Sun.: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM // Grounds open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Fees: For guided tours.
Buildings: Interpretive center and restrooms.
Wheelchair access: Limited access on trails; buildings accessible.
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: No
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
PO Box 893
New Paltz, NY 12561
845-255-0752
Fax: 845-255-3505
Minnewaska State Park Preserve Website
Ulster County
Program Description: Small, seasonal nature center in majestic Minnewaska State Park Preserve. The Minnewaska Nature Center is perched above Divers' Cove on Minnewaska Lake, offering a bird's eye view of the lake below. The center features interactive nature education displays for families and is conveniently located close to the Wildmere parking area. Public environmental education and recreation programs are offered year-round and feature interpretive hikes and snowshoe outings. Topics of interest on such outings include wildlife tracking, wild edibles, winter tree identification, the cultural history of the site and much more. Regularly scheduled programs include "Wellness Walks" on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from November through June, "Early Morning Birders" outings every Tuesday morning from April through October and Junior Naturalists and Junior Rangers, a summer series designed for school aged children and offered twice each summer. Education programs are offered for school groups, clubs and other organizations.
Hours: Open Sat. - Sun. 10:00 AM -12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, as staff is available.
Fees: For the fiscal year 2009-2010, the fee for parking is $7/per vehicle from 6/20/09 through 9/7/09 and $6 per vehicle otherwise. There is no fee to visit the Nature Center.
Buildings: Nature Center, Park Office, port-a-john toilets, and compostable toilets.
Wheelchair access: Designated parking spots are provided at the Park. More specific information about the actual buildings may be obtained by contacting the Park Office.
Visitor Focus: Interactive displays designed with children in mind, but programs and displays at the Nature Center are of interest to all members of the public.
Picnic Area: Yes
Mohonk Preserve
P.O. Box 715
New Paltz, NY 12561-0715
845-255-0919
Fax: 845-255-5646
Mohonk Preserve Website
Ulster County
Program Description: The Mohonk Preserve protects the Shawangunk Mountains by inspiring people to care for, enjoy, and explore the natural world. As New York State's largest non-profit nature preserve, we protect nearly 7,000 acres of forests, fields, streams and lakes, mountain ridges, and other unique environments and provide habitat for wildlife. The Preserve welcomes 150,000 annual visitors who come to rock climb, mountain bike, hike, ski, and study and enjoy nature. The Preserve provides education to school children and the public; is the site of cutting-edge research on climate change, wildlife, water quality, and other critical issues; maintains 70 miles of carriage roads and trails for public benefit; and works with neighbors, local municipalities, and conservation partners to protect open space region-wide.
Hours: Visitor Center daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve after noon, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day) // Grounds: sunrise to sunset all year
Fees: Visitor Center, exhibits, and nature trail free of charge. Access to the land: memberships, $55 annually for basic; add-ons for rock climbing & biking. Day-use passes: $10 for hiking & biking, $15 for rock climbing, available for purchase at the Preserve's four trailheads. Children 12 and under free with adult.
Buildings: A green-design Visitor Center with nature trails, exhibits, a Children's Corner and Discovery Forest, butterfly garden, maps, and gift shop is open free of charge. The Slingerland Pavilion at Spring Farm is available for education programs and to rent for special events. The Daniel Smiley Research Center library is open to the public by appointment.
Wheelchair access: Access to Visitor Center and nature trail; some carriage roads (shale-surfaced). Wheelchair parking at all trailheads. Special NatureAccess field studies programming for people with disabilities.
Visitor Focus: General public; outdoor enthusiasts; researchers; schools.
Picnic Area: No
Rockland Lake Nature Center
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Trailside Museums and Zoo Bear Mountain, NY 10911
845-268-2503
Rockland Nature Center Website
Rockland County
Program Description: The Rockland Lake Nature Center is part of a large recreational area at Rockland Lake North State Park. Re-opened in 2003, the nature center provides interpretative trails through wetland areas as well exhibits on local wildlife and history. New exhibits feature the wildlife of Rockland Lake, the story of the formation of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, and the history of the Davies family of Dr. Davies Orchards fame.
New exhibits join a permanent display on the rich ice harvesting history of Rockland Lake. Interpretative walks and programs are run every weekend on local history and wildlife.
For the most up to date program and scheduling information please visit our website.
Hours: Grounds: May - October; Sun. - Sat. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM // Center (summer only) Tues. - Sat. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fees: Parking fee: $6 per car; Nature Center: none
Buildings: Covered Interpretive Area
Wheelchair access: Limited
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: In the park
Rye Nature Center
873 Boston Post Road
Rye, NY 10580
914-967-5150
Fax: 914-967-5451
Rye Nature Center Website
Westchester County
Program Description: The Rye Nature Center is a 47-acre natural area of woodland, field, pond, and stream habitats. An interpretive building contains a museum-exhibit area, multipurpose classroom-laboratory-lecture facilities, passive solar greenhouse, library-resource room and gift shop. The center operates a seasonal butterfly-house (May-October).
Hours: Buildings: Mon. - Sat. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, all year // Grounds: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: For school programs only
Buildings: Interpretive center, outdoor butterfly house, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Sharpe Reservation & Environmental Education Center
Sharpe Reservation
Fishkill, NY 12524
845-897-4320
Sharpe Reservation Website
Dutchess County
Program Description: Sharpe Reservation is a 3,000-acre tract of woodland located in the historic towns of Fishkill, East Fishkill, and Philipstown. Winterized facilities at Camp Hidden Valley include 12 cabins (sleeping 18 each), dining hall, meeting and activity halls, administrative lounge, and an arts and crafts building. A nature building, weather station, low and high ropes courses and planetarium and hiking trails are on site. During the summer the facilities serve as The Fresh Air Fund's summer camp.
Hours: Building open 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Fees: Call for information
Buildings: Camp facilities
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, organizations; residential only, not general public
Picnic Area: Information not available
Taconic Outdoor Education Center
75 Mountain Laurel Lane
Cold Spring, NY 10516
845-265-3773
Fax: 845-265-7941
Taconic Outdoor Education Center Website
Putnam County
Program Description: Study science, nature, and local history in a hands-on way.
Hours: Call for information
Fees: There are program, facility, and food costs associated with visits and public programs are free.
Buildings: Highland Lodge, with its large stone fireplace warms the soul on wintry days. Also, there are a nine heated log cabins, each accommodating ten people.
Wheelchair access: Yes, Highland Lodge
Visitor Focus: School & Scout groups, public
Picnic Area: Yes
Teatown Lake Reservation
1600 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562
914-762-2912
Fax: 914-762-2890
Teatown Lake Reservation Website
Westchester County
Program Description: Teatown Lake Reservation is a bioregional environmental center devoted to the Hudson Hills and Highlands with an 834-acre nature preserve, including 15 miles of marked trails, a 33-acre lake, and a diversity of forest, meadow, and wetlands habitats. A Nature Center houses education exhibits and a live animal collection. Teatown offers a wide variety of adult and children education programs that reach >18,000 people annually. Teatown also hosts each year several community festivals, including a "Hudson Hills and Highlands Fall Celebration" and "Hudson River EagleFest," a celebration of the annual winter gathering of the American Bald Eagle in the Lower Hudson Valley.
Hours: Guided Programs by reservation // Grounds open dawn to dusk.
Fees: Entrance is free; fees for some programs (For information, visit website: www.teatown.org)
Buildings: Interpretive, education classrooms and restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: General public and groups
Picnic Area: Yes
Trailside Museums & Wildlife Center at Bear Mountain
Palisades Interstate Park Commission & NYS ORPHP
Bear Mountain, NY 10911
845-786-2701 ext 263
Trailside Museum Website
Border of Orange & Rockland Counties
Program Description: Built on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River, Trailside Museums and Wildlife Center is comprised of four comprehensive museum buildings connected by the oldest continually-operated nature trail in the United States.
Hours: Trailside: Sept - May: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Daily; June - July: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: State Park parking fee: $5 per car; Trailside: Adults: $1; Children: (6-12): 50 cents; Toddler: (5 and under) Free
Buildings: Four museums (Herpetology, Nature Study, Geology, and History); restrooms; offices; river overlooks; archaeological remains of Fort Clinton; outdoor animal enclosures
Wheelchair access: Yes, call for special parking directions
Visitor Focus: General Public and School & Camp groups
Picnic Area: No food allowed inside our gates; ample picnic facilities outside our main gates in Bear Mountain State Park
Trailside Nature Museum
Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Cross River, NY 10518
914-763-3993
Trailside Nature Museum Website
Westchester County
Program Description: At 4,500 acres, the Ward Pound Ridge is one of Westchester County's most beautiful parks. It includes more than 35 miles of hiking trails. The Trailside Nature Museum, founded in 1937, was established as a nature interpretation center on the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and is dedicated to promoting a better appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the relationship between people and the land. Through exhibits, school visits, and weekend educational program, the museum seeks to give visitors a better orientation both to the park itself and the rich natural and local history it contains.
Hours: Guided programs Wed. - Sun. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, by appointment. // Grounds open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Fees: $7 parking fee
Buildings: Nature museum
Wheelchair access: Museum is accessible; trails are not.
Visitor Focus: Schools, general public
Picnic Area: Yes
Weinberg Nature Center
455 Mamaroneck Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-722-1289
Fax: 914-723-4784
Weinberg Nature Center Website
Westchester County
Program Description: Environmental education and interpretation; dedicated to the study and interpretation of our natural resources.
Hours: Fall - Spring: Wed. - Sun. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM // Summer: Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 5: 00 PM
Fees: No official entrance fee to main building. Suggested admission of $5.00 per person. Program fees vary.
Buildings: One interpretative building and one storage shed
Wheelchair access: The main building is handicap accessible.
Visitor Focus: Schools, scouts, general ecology, general public and Native American Indians.
Picnic Area: Yes(Multiple)
Westmoreland Sanctuary
260 Chestnut Ridge Road
Bedford Corners, NY 10549
914-666-8448
Fax: 914-723-4784
Westmoreland Sanctuary Website
Westchester County
Program Description: Westmoreland is a 625 acre wildlife sanctuary located in Westchester County. A reconstructed 200 year old building serves as a museum and nature center. There are 8 miles of trails which are open dawn to dusk. Educational programs are offered to schools, scouts and the general public. Programs offered include pond ecology, bird banding, tree identification, mammals, bluebird house construction and general nature hike. We also offer a variety of weekend programs for the general public.
Hours: Museum is open Mon-Sat. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: There are fees for schools, scouts and some public programs
Buildings: Museum and maple sugaring area
Wheelchair access: Limited - call for details
Visitor Focus: Schools, scouts and general public
Picnic Area: Yes
Winding Hills Park Nature Center
Orange County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation
Box 100, RR 3
Montgomery, NY 12549
845-457-1830
Winding Hills Park Nature Center Website
Orange County
Program Description: Set in a beautiful wooded park of 502 acres the nature center is near a constructed 40-acre lake. Exhibits include flora and fauna common to Orange County as well as a rock collection, bee hive and other displays directed at common questions (poison ivy, ragweed, tent caterpillars, etc.).
Hours: Guided Programs: By appointment, all year // Tours: Saturday and Sunday 2:00 PM // Grounds: Open all year.
Fees: None
Buildings: No information
Wheelchair access: No information available
Visitor Focus: No information available
