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See what's happening around Audubon Community Nature Center.
Words
About fifteen years ago, some people noticed that words like “dandelion,” otter,” and “fern” were removed from the Oxford University Press Junior Dictionary. Upon further investigation, over 50 nature-based words were found missing. The dictionary was edited based on words that children were heard using – and not using. They were more often talking of keyboards than kingfishers.
Ripples
Ripples are the sign of a larger story happening under the water, a story that may start and end with a mystery of ripples or expand into a larger tale of animals living their usually hidden lives in the water. The thing is, you never know what will happen unless you pause and watch.
Natural Holidays
Unlike the established cultural holidays, these natural holidays can be found and celebrated any time of year. There are millions of these holidays, many of which go unnoticed. There are the showy ones, like the first snow of the year, the first thunderstorm of summer, the first flowers of the spring, or the first changing leaves of fall, but there are many smaller ones that we don’t always notice.
Observation and Collaboration
Sometimes, I let the question or the observation just be and never go on to figure out the reason behind an event or the correct answer. Other times, like with the dragonflies and swans, an observation made by another can spur my inquisitiveness into action. Science and research are so often a team effort. Sharing your results and comparing data is a vital part of moving forward and gaining understanding of the world around us. It makes sense that this same collaboration can also result in new knowledge on an individual level.
Animals and Us
The result of building connections is compassion. Animals provide an opportunity to see ourselves in new and different ways. We learn we are not alone and we have the capacity for great care, concern, and love. And this compassion has the ability to extend, not just to other animals, but to our fellow humans and maybe even to ourselves. What can we learn about ourselves by observing and interacting with animals? I think we learn how to be better humans.
Thankful
My wife’s gratitude meditation has made me pay more attention to the things I am grateful for. I think gratitude is a good practice, both for people and for businesses and organizations. Take a moment this Thanksgiving season and look at all there is to be thankful for, from hot showers to volunteers that dress up as animals to the amazing natural world that surrounds us.
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.
Bruce and Juline Battler
Carnahan-Jackson Foundation
Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
Donna and Mark Hampton
Holmberg Foundation
Hultquist Foundation
Jessie Smith Darrah Fund
The Lenna Foundation
The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation
Hal and Mary Conarro
Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant
Bob and Kathy Frucella
Kravitz Tree Service
Thomas Kuntz and Meredith Kuntz
Doug and Lamae McCullor
National Fuel Gas Company
Southern Chautauqua
Federal Credit Union
Weinberg Financial GroupCurt and Susie Westrom
Whirley-DrinkWorks!
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