COVID-19 Notice – Updated May 23, 2022
Face Coverings are highly recommended while visiting inside the Nature Center building based on local transmission rates.
Dragons and Fairies Festival
Saturday, June 11, 10:00 a.m. – 400 p.m.
The connection begins with you.
Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.
Many of the events, programs and workshops at ACNC contain an outdoor component. Audubon believes that experiencing the natural world first hand is key in developing a connection to the planet. Check out what is happening at Audubon.
Nature affects us. We affect nature. Many of ACNC’s programs help to understand the components of natural ecosystems and how people fit into and impact the systems. Learn more about scheduling educational programs through Audubon.
Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. Learn how your actions impact the planet and find simple ways to increase your positive impacts through volunteering. Find your place at Audubon Community Nature Center.
Black Birders Week
I discovered that while studying birds to create his well-known works of art, he often killed the very bird that he was painting. Without access to color photography, this was a common way for naturalists to study animals. What was more troubling was learning that, like so many of his time, his treatment of his fellow human beings was no less life-threatening than his treatment of the birds he studied.
In one of Audubon’s written accounts of a birding expedition, he described coming across a family who had recently escaped from slavery. His account describes the family as being gathered around a fire, seeking warmth and nourishment. When Audubon approached, they welcomed him into their circle. In response, Audubon took the family back to the man who claimed to own them. Unlike the birds at bird banding, which we released after their short captivity, this family was forced back into society’s system of oppression.
The Importance of Vultures
Noticeable, even from a distance, is the Turkey Vulture’s small, featherless, red head. While contributing to their reputation as ugly, their naked head actually helps keep them healthy. As they feed on dead animals, their head often in the carcass, feathers would hold in bacteria and food particles. Without feathers on their head, they remain a lot cleaner. They also don’t get sick from eating rotten meat. Their strong stomach acid can kill bacteria and even anthrax and influenza.
Other adaptations may also seem disgusting to some. Birds cannot sweat to cool themselves down like humans do. Some open their mouth and pant. Turkey Vultures pee on their legs and feet, relying on evaporation to carry the heat away. It is also thought the urine cleans their legs of bacteria. And when threatened, they projectile vomit on potential predators.
Puddle Piranhas
Wood Frogs have dramatically increased in number over the years. Their floating masses of eggs cover a solid quarter of the pool now. Spotted Salamanders also come annually, always choosing one particular side of the pool. Newts are year-long residents, and there are many insects that seem to hang out all year as well. Green Frog tadpoles spend their first two years there, looking gargantuan compared to the amphibians that only take one year to mature.
Questions? Comments? Let Audubon know.
Visiting Chautauqua County? Click the button below for more information about the region and all it has to offer.
Follow Audubon
Address
Audubon Community Nature Center
1600 Riverside Road
Jamestown, NY 14701
(716) 569-2345
info@auduboncnc.org
Hours and Admission
Nature Center Hours:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Building Admission:
Members - Free
Non-member Adult (ages 16+) - $6
Non-member Child (ages 3 - 15) - $2
Children ages 2 and under - Free
Maximum cost for a Family - $15
Free admission to the Nature Center for SNAP/EBT cardholders.
Free admission for all on Sundays
Grounds and Outdoor Exhibits:
Open daily, year round from dawn to dusk free of charge
Thank you, Community Partners
Audubon Community Partners make a significant financial contribution each year because they believe that every child deserves the opportunity to have a real and healthy connection to nature.
Carnahan-Jackson Foundation
Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
Curt and Susie Westrom
Holmberg Foundation
Hultquist Foundation
Jessie Smith Darrah Fund
Lenna Foundation
Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation
Bob Frucella's Tax Service
Bush Furniture, a Brand of eSolutions Furniture
Hal and Mary Conarro
Univera Healthcare
Weinberg Financial Group
Whirley Drinkworks