The New Canaan Nature Center is a not-for-profit environmental education center and sanctuary dedicated to helping people of all ages better understand, appreciate and care for the world of nature

Description:
The New Canaan Nature Center features diverse habitats, including wet and dry meadows and woodlands, two ponds, dense thickets, an old orchard and a cattail marsh. Two miles of trails criss-cross the site that is one of the six largest tracks of open space in New Canaan. Our trails and grounds are open from dawn to dusk and admission is free to the public. In addition to our natural trails, visitors are welcome to enjoy an arboretum and a variety of gardens including the Sally Waters Herb Garden, James L. Crider Memorial Bird and Butterfly Garden, the Swallen Wildflower Garden, and Susan B. Hanson Memorial Naturalists' Garden.

Our Facilites
Our interactive Discovery Room and Nature Gift Shop are located in our Visitors Center. The Animal Care Building houses our live animal teaching collection and a live Birds of Prey exhibit open to the public. The Bliss Education Building and Educational Annex house our Beginner's Nature Program as well as classrooms used for Summer Camp, Birthday Parties, Scout programs and many other community, youth and family programs. Many of the New Canaan Nature Center buildings are renovated structures from the former Bliss Estate, given to the Town of New Canaan in 1959. Also open to the public are a teaching tropical greenhouse, maple syrup shed, Naturalist's Garden, Butterfly Garden, Wildflower Garden and Herb Garden.

History:
Our History
The Nature Center was established in 1960 on the former estate of Miss Susan Dwight Bliss. This 40 acre site was given to the Town of New Canaan for the study of nature, horticulture and related sciences. The Town continues to own the land and buildings, and provides maintenance support. The Nature Center's wide array of innovative environmental education programs generate more than 60% of its annual revenues. The remaining is raised through membership, private donations from individuals, foundations and corporations as well as through special events

Contact person: Nancy Gamerman, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (203) 966-6536

Address:

144 Oenoke Ridge New Canaan, CT 06840 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.newcanaannature.org

Directions:

From the Merritt Parkway (Route 15), Exit 37: Make a LEFT at the end of the ramp onto Route 124. Pass over the parkway heading north along South Avenue into New Canaan. Follow Route 124 through town. At the fourth. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Metro North,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15 minutes

Miscellaneous Information

Does your agency have weekend volunteer opportunities?
	No
Does your agency have evening volunteer opportunities?
	No
Does your agecny accept court ordered communituy service volunteers?
	No
Does your agency accept and coordinate group projects for corporate volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept and coordinate group projects for youth volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept youth volunteers ages 14-18?
	No