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Programs for Libraries

More than 1100 groups of area children learn about the natural world with the Tenafly Nature Center each year. With their boundless curiosity, they touch, observe and listen to the natural world. Invite one of our professional educators to bring classroom concepts to life and lead your students in hands-on learning with live animals and/or artifacts from our 380-acre living museum.

Our programs are designed to help educators meet some of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards, Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Next Generation Science Standards, and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and have been developed for students ages 3 and up.

These programs are designed to be taught at your location.

If a subject of interest to you does not appear below, please contact the Education Director for more information on how we can design programs to reinforce your curriculum.


TNC to Go Pricing

 60-Minute Library Program
 1st Program (NJ & NY)  $200
 1st Program (NYC boroughs)  $325*
 Consecutive Programs  $125
  •  There is no additional charge for supervising adults.
  • *Additional fee is included to the First program fee for all New York City boroughs visits to cover NYC permit requirements.
  • A mileage charge of the current IRS rate per mile round trip is added to the program fee if the location is outside of Tenafly.
  • One parking space must be provided near the entrance of your location (if no parking is available at your site then a fee will be added to cover any associated garage fees).
  • Consecutive programs are programs held one right after another, for different classes, in the same school with no more than a 60 minute break between two of the programs.
  • If your funds are limited, please consider applying for a scholarship (we strive to make nature accessible to everyone).

TNC to Go Library Programs (All programs are 45-60 minutes):

      For all ages (3 and up):

      1. Hanging with the Herps
        Develop an understanding of why scientists classified reptiles and amphibians as herps and how their internal and external structures support their growth and survival. Learn about the special adaptations that make each of these groups unique and meet 4-5 live reptiles and amphibians.

      2. Remarkable Raptors
        Meet a live hawk and owl and discover how amazing birds of prey (Raptors) are. Discover what specifically makes a bird a raptor while learning about both diurnal and nocturnal adaptations and how they utilize their senses to locate and obtain the 051 ir prey.

      3. The World Beneath Our Feet
        A hole in the ground is always mysterious as it invites curiosity and wonder. Discover why some animals are fossorial (live underground) and what adaptations they need to survive this underfoot habitat. Meet four live animals whose survival depends on the time they spend within the soil and discover why subterranean ecosystems are diverse, balanced, and much more active than you may think.
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        For children ages 3 to 6:

        1. Creative Camouflage
          Discover how the shape and/or color of some animals help them to survive by enabling them to blend into their surroundings. Meet a live animal that uses camouflage and play a game to emphasize the lessons learned and see if people can do better than nature at keeping animals hidden.

        2. Creature Double Feature
          Gain a respect for and decrease fears of two cold-blooded live animals while discovering how people are similar and different to each species. Discover how animals respond to cold and warm temperatures and what they need to survive. Learn about a variety of body coverings and the relationship between their needs and the places they live.

        3. Sleep, Stay, Run Away
          Meet an animal that hibernates in the winter season and learn where migrating animals go. Discover what strategies animals utilize to survive the colder months and how these responses differ. Learn about some of the adaptations animals have to meet their needs and what makes an animal a true hibernator.

        4. Wonderful Wiggling Worms (for groups with <30 children)

          Dig in and discover the slimy yet satisfying wormy world under our feet! Meet a few live worms and learn about the roles they play in our ecosystem. Discover how sunlight and other environmental factors affect them as they recycle and compost scraps into nutrient-rich soil.

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          Best for children ages 7 and up:

          1. Creatures of the Night
            Do you know if you are nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular? Join educators from the Tenafly Nature Center and find out! Through live animal demonstrations, learn about local species that inhabit the dark. From owls to opossums, learn about the amazing adaptations creatures posses to roam the nighttime landscape.

          2. Endangered NJ
            Learn about the major factors that threaten animals with endangerment and extinction worldwide. Discover how people both directly and indirectly affect the Earth's biodiversity and meet 4-5 living examples of species whose populations are being affected by human actions today. Gain an awareness of New Jersey’s 60+ endangered species, and develop solutions to help prevent threats to our local wildlife. 

          3. Incredible Invertebrates
            Examine live insects and learn how diverse invertebrate life can be in a forest habitat. Discover how each animals structure help it to survive and how insects are similar yet different from other invertebrates. Learn about insect life stages and how some insects provide for their young. Learn how invertebrates contribute to human survival and what we can do to reduce our negative impacts on their populations.

          4. Who Goes Whoo

            Meet a live owl and learn about their unique adaptations. Discover how as one owl species habitat changes it affects other species across the United States. Identify how these nocturnal utilize their senses to locate and obtain their prey and what similarities we share with these powerful and efficient predators.

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