Places to Visit:
New York:
Hallet Nature Sanctuary
The recently opened, Hallet Nature Sanctuary is a 4-acre piece of land located next to the Pond at the southeast corner of Central Park. It was closed to the public in 1934 to be preserved as a bird sanctuary and remained untouched until 2001 when the Central Park Conservancy took up its restoration and maintenance (which Almstead participated in). The sanctuary is now more diverse and healthier than ever. Public visiting days and hours can be found on the Central Park website. www.centralparknyc.org
New Jersey:
Teaneck Creek Conservancy
The Teaneck Creek Conservancy in Bergen County consists of 46 acres of repurposed “waste” land that includes trails, art installations, trees, shrubs and birds. It was formerly an unofficial dumpsite that was repurposed by a group of environmentalists, educators, and artists with the support of The Puffin Foundation. Visitors can take guided tours, hike on over 2 miles of trails, do some bird watching, and view the several temporary and permanent eco-art exhibits. Visit the Conservancy’s website for more information. www.teaneckcreek.org
Connecticut:
New Canaan Nature Center
The New Canaan Nature Center is a 40-acre botanical garden, arboretum and nature preserve. It includes both wet and dry meadows and woodlands, ponds, dense thickets, orchards, marshes and a 4,000 square foot greenhouse. Almost 90% of the plants in the garden are native species. The arboretum includes a variety trees including Japanese umbrella pine, moss sawara cypress, weeping Norway spruce, eastern redbud, and more. The nature center includes live animals, including a “Birds Of Prey” exhibit as well as a maple syrup shed. Admission is free. www.newcanaannature.org
LOCATIONS:
Lower Westchester County, NY and New York City
58 Beechwood Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801
914-576-0193
Upper Westchester (North of I-287)
15 Broadway, Hawthorne, NY 10532
914-741-1510
Fairfield County, Connecticut
80 Lincoln Avenue, Stamford CT 06902
203-348-4111
Bergen & Passaic Counties, NJ
504 High Mountain Road, North Haledon, NJ 07508
973-636-6711
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