John A. Redfield Building
The John A. Redfield Building houses a small natural history museum with knowledgeable staff is available to answer questions. Throughout the year a wide assortment of educational programs are held on the porch of or inside the building (ex. apple cider making, owl prowls, maple sugaring). The rest of the time visitors are welcome to come and spend time inside:
- Looking at our live education animals
- Browsing through the Stephen Minkoff Memorial natural history library
- Playing along with the interactive exhibits
- Learning from our natural history displays
- Reviewing educational brochures
- Obtaining our quarterly newsletter and trail maps
- Using the restrooms.
Backyard Habitat, Aviary, Salamander Pond
Visitors can relax in the nature center's Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat and visit our resident birds of prey at the aviary. Seasonally program guests are sometimes able to get a close up look at our salamander & amphibian pond. Members can join an educator in the spring in search for breeding spotted salamanders.
Accessibility
The visitor center and most of the ancillary structures are accessible for people of differing abilities.
Visit an animal
While we are not a zoo, we do house a small collection of animals that cannot be released into the wild, for a variety of reasons. Instead, these animals are utilized to help educate visitors about the needs of our local wildlife and the importance of protecting their habitats. These education animals are native or related to local species found throughout New Jersey. Come in to find out more about our animals ambassadors.
Read a Book
The visitor center also houses a nature library collection. Comprised of over 1000 items, this extensive assortment of books and media can help answer any questions you might have about our natural world. Whether you want to come in and identify an organism, research material for a school subject, or relax and read about our environment this resource is here for you to enjoy.
- Members may check out items from the library (not reference materials)
- Nonmembers may enjoy any items in the building
Up to 5 books may be checked out for two weeks at a time. DVDs and other multimedia may only be checked out one at a time for one week. See the front desk staff to sign out any library item. After two weeks, if the checked out item is still needed, a one-time renewal may be done by phone. Lost items must be replaced or reimbursed for a replacement (including shipping). Reference materials may not be borrowed.
