The Greenburgh Nature Center has received a $20,000 grant from Con Edison to expand its outdoor trail programming and make its trails more welcoming for visitors.
“Teaching Trails: A Community Path for Environmental Education” will be comprised of year-round trails programming, offered as free weekly environmental education tours led by Greenburgh Nature Center teen volunteer docents. The programming will begin December 1st.
“We are fortunate to have Con Edison’s ongoing support for the important work we do here to connect people with nature,” said Greenburgh Nature Center Executive Director Margaret Tjimos Goldberg. “The new programming will provide our visiting community with a unique opportunity to understand the biodiversity of our natural world, via outdoor exploration of our trees, undergrowth, and vernal pond, and through observation of the birds, mammals, and amphibians that live within these ecosystems.”
High school volunteers in the Teaching Trails program will be trained to achieve a depth of knowledge and expertise in conservation and ecology practices. They will also assist with trail blazing and other trail improvement measures.
As a supplement to the guided walks, the Nature Center will distribute educational maps, provide a permanent trail entrance, and highlight seasonal outdoor signage that will encourage visitors to engage with the natural world and learn through discovery.
“Con Edison is committed to responsible stewardship of the environment,” said Jane Solnick, Con Edison’s Director of Public Affairs for Westchester County. “This new trails programming will educate high school volunteers and Nature Center visitors about the environment and, in turn, what they can do to sustain and nurture our planet.”
Watch this short video taken by Con Edison at the Greenburgh Nature Center: http://bcove.me/yxi8vp23
The Greenburgh Nature Center is a 33-acre woodland preserve with trails, a pond, gardens, a playground, and outdoor animal exhibits, including a birds of prey aviary. Our indoor exhibits include a live animal museum with over 100 specimens, exhibit areas focusing on nature and the environment, a greenhouse with botanical exhibits, and a gift shop. We offer special programs for groups of all ages on a wide range of environmental topics, camps and birthday parties, either here or at your location. We also have a variety of volunteer opportunities for all ages and skill levels.
 The mission of the Greenburgh Nature Center is to offer inspiring, hands-on environmental education experiences, to foster an appreciation of nature, and to promote sustainable practices.
The Nature Center is located at 99 Dromore Road, off Central Park Avenue, in Scarsdale, NY. Parking is free, and handicapped parking is available. The Nature Center’s grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. The Center’s indoor exhibits are open daily (except CLOSED Fridays and a few holidays), 9:30AM – 4:30PM on weekdays and 10AM – 4:30PM on weekends.
For more information, visit our website at www.greenburghnaturecenter.org or call 914-723-3470.
