Visit the New Canaan Nature Center
The New Canaan Nature Center is located on a 40-acre site which features
unusual habitat diversity offering a variety of horticultural experiences
for the visitors as well as a live Birds of Prey Exhibit, a variety
of gardens, a Greenhouse and a Visitors Center which houses our Discovery
Room, Art Exhibits and the Nature Gift Shop.
Birds of Prey
The Birds of Prey Exhibit features seven aviaries and is open to the
public from dawn to dusk everyday.
Arboretum and Gardens
The Nature Center features a small arboretum as you enter the property
which includes magnificent specimens of native and nonnative trees.
Visitors are also welcome to enjoy a variety of gardens. The Herb
Garden is a teaching garden which includes culinary, fragrant and
medicinal herbs to name a few. The Wildflower Garden includes native
and several rare species in an enchanting wooded setting. Our Bird
and Butterfly Garden occupies a sunny berm south of the Greenhouse
and attracts hummingbirds and dozens of butterfly species. The Naturalists'
Garden was planted as a "model backyard" and features native
plants and two small, man-made ponds.
Greenhouse
The 4000 square-foot Greenhouse and adjacent Lath House features living
exhibits, including exotic species, along with work areas and a classroom.
Many of the Nature Center's horticultural programs are presented in
the greenhouse space. The greenhouse is open to the public 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Hiking Trails
Two miles of trails criss-cross the site featuring unusual habitat
diversity, including wet and dry meadows, two ponds, wet and dry woodlands,
dense thickets, an old orchard, and a cattail marsh with two Observation
Towers.
Visitors Center
The Visitors Center, which opened in 1999, houses program registration,
the Nature Gift Shop, Discovery Center exhibits and the Sturgess Room
where we feature the work of local artists and hold many events. The
Administrative offices are located on the second floor of the building.
The Visitor's Center is open from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday -
Saturday. Become a member
enjoy all the nature center has to offer.
Calendar of Events
The Nature Center's wide array of innovative environmental educational
programming serving youth, families and adults. Click the following
links to view upcoming programs.
Youth & Family Programs
Adult Programs
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