Lorrimer Sanctuary was bequeathed to the New Jersey Audubon Society by Ms. Lucine L. Lorrimer in 1956. The main house, parts of which date back to the late 1700’s, is the present visitors’ center and Sanctuary office.
The visitors’ center has an exhibit and lecture room, winter bird feeding station, interpretive displays, hands-on exhibits, and a gift shop, the proceeds of which benefit the Sanctuary. There is a self-guiding trail system that winds through the 14 acres of land. Much of the acreage is second-growth woods (mostly oak, maple, ash, and beech); and small stands of planted evergreens. The trails are open during Sanctuary hours.
As this is a wildlife sanctuary, all plants and animals are protected — they may not be harmed, harassed or removed.
While you are here please visit the Center, walk the trails, and browse through the gift/book shop.
Hours
Sanctuary Hours
Nature Center and Gift Shop
Wed – Sat 10 am – 4 pm
Sanctuary Trails
Dawn to Dusk
Check our Facebook page for any last minute announcements
Watch Lorrimer Sanctuary Director, Kirsten Holt, walk us through the cool process of ‘Maple Sugaring’
Maple Sugaring – ‘How To’ – Part 1
Maple Sugaring – ‘How To’ – Part 2
Center upcoming events
Nature Explorers – Winter 2023
Nature Explorers – Winter 2023
Things To Do
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Walking/Hiking
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Birdwatching and Nature Study
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Outdoor Photography
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Organized classes for schools, scouts, and special groups
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Browse the gift/book store
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Picnicking
Special Programs
Join New Jersey Audubon Staff as we use local phenomena to explore the world around us. Children will spend their time outdoors on the Lorrimer Sanctuary property bouncing between hands-on, inquiry-based activities and free-play to help them develop their own understanding of the natural world. We will use Nature as a guide during this twice weekly program over a period of eight weeks.
Lessons will include activities focused on natural history topics, a story and craft, age-appropriate risk taking, all with attention to mindfulness and fun.
Children must be a minimum of 3 to enroll and cannot be older than 6 years old to participate. All children in
Muddy Hands Academy must be potty-trained and bathroom independent. The Muddy Hands Academy utilizes a Nature Preschool model with children spending as much time as possible outdoors. Children should be prepared for the weather including wet and muddy conditions. Class sizes are limited to 5 children per session.
For more information and to register, please visit our Eventbrite page for available sessions.
School and Youth Environmental Programs
Programs are available for students from pre-k through 12th grade.
Field trips are available September through May, Wednesday through Friday.
Lorrimer Sanctuary offers programs for Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Programs are 90 minutes. The cost is $100 for the first 10 scouts, $10 for any additional scout or participating sibling, up to 20 total participants.
Please contact the center directly about community service projects, Eagle Scout, Bronze, Silver, or Gold projects.
Lorrimer Sanctuary offers a wide variety of programs about birds, plants, gardening, and conservation and ecology. Most programs include a slide presentation and are suitable for libraries, senior centers, garden clubs, civic groups and more. We can also offer hands-on programs, such as workshops or guided hikes either at our center or offsite.
To bring a lecture presentation to your location, the fee is $200 plus mileage (first 10 miles are free).
Hands-on programs may incur additional costs for supplies and materials.
To schedule a program, please contact us, (201) 891-2185.
Birthday parties are an NJ Audubon member benefit. If you are not a member you can join at any time and schedule a birthday party for your child.
Children’s Birthday Parties
- Parties are booked for a 2-hour period. One hour of programs with a teacher/naturalist and one hour of pavilion usage for food, cake, and present exchange. Party hosts may arrive 30 minutes early to set up and have 30 minutes for clean-up after the party.
- $275 for a party of up to 15 children, an additional charge of $10 per child will be added for parties up to 20 children.
- Party Groups can request additional time to use the pavilion for $35/hour.
- Options for party add-ons include campfire, early-bird activities, and additional 30-minute programs.
- Lorrimer Sanctuary is a carry-in/carry-out facility, we do not allow balloons or confetti. Ask us how to ‘go green’ for your party.
To book your party, please contact us, (201) 281- 2185.
Staff & Personnel
Alexa Fantacone
Sanctuary Director
Mary Birrer
Teacher Naturalist
Adam Greenbaum
Facilities and Grounds
Contact Us
790 Ewing Avenue
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
908.396.6568