The Nature Center’s mission focuses in providing quality environmental education experiences, encouraging stewardship of the harbor area and other natural areas, and promoting volunteerism as a rewarding means of community involvement and service.
The Nature Center of Cape May was founded in 1992, with the twin goals of creating a responsible stewardship program for open space surrounding Cape May Harbor and providing environmental education for people of all ages. The Center’s focus on “hands-on” activities reflects a philosophy of personal responsibility for education.
Adopted by the New Jersey Audubon Society in 1995, the Nature Center of Cape May is one of nine staffed nature centers throughout the state. The environmental education campus, located on the shores of beautiful Cape May Harbor in Cape May, includes the Trucksess Welcome Center, a three-story observation tower, indoor observation lounge, three classrooms, exhibit aquaria, a small gift shop, and multiple themed display gardens. The harbor and adjacent area provide natural classrooms that are used in the center’s programs. In addition, the nature center is close to a diversity of habitats, which are easily incorporated into its programs.
The nature center offers a full schedule of natural history programs for the general public throughout the year. A wide variety of group educational programs are available as well, either at the Nature Center of Cape May or at alternate sites such as outdoor habitats, schools, or clubs.
Hours
Hours
Thursday – Monday
10am to 4pm
Tuesday & Wednesday
Closed
Please Note:
Please refer to our Facebook Page for any last minute announcements
Things To Do
- Family Programs
- Live Animals
- Aquariums
- Nature Nook
- Nature Trail and bird blind
- Exhibit gallery from local artists
- Nature store
- Second story viewing deck
- Third story viewing tower
- Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Special Programs
The goal of NJ Audubon’s educational programs is to help children understand their relationship to the natural world. Our naturalists steer and focus the activities, tailoring them to meet each group’s needs and abilities, to encourage individual and small group discovery. Our hands-on, interdisciplinary activities supplement traditional classes by meeting the NJ Core Curriculum content Standards using inquiry-based learning methods and promoting exploration of our native habitats. Programs are approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour in length, except where noted.
FIELD TRIP FEES:
$150.00 per one hour program for groups up to 25 students, added mileage of $30.00 for going to off-site field locations
OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO YOUR SCHOOL:
$200.00 for the first program
$100.00 for each repeat of the program on the same day
For more information on these programs or to customize an unforgettable educational experience contact:
Program Coordinator Brendan Schaffer at 609-400-3858 or [email protected]
Staff & Personnel
Gretchen Whitman
Sanctuary Director
Emily Wilmoth
Program Director
Laura Kim Maurey
Store Associate
Ralph Boerner
Steven Scheff
