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Nature Center of Cape May 
 
Introduction
 
Program Overview
 
Special Seasonal Events
 
Volunteer Opportunities
 
Membership & Donations
 
Directions
 
Calendar of Events
 
 

Nature Center of Cape May
 
 

1600 Delaware Ave.
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 898-8848
E-mail:
  nccm@njaudubon.org


Gretchen FerranteSanctuary Director
Kim HannumStore Manager
Sue Ann SlotterbackProgram Director
Linda DillSenior Naturalist

Center Hours

September through May: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
June through August:  Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
Open other times for special events and programs.


The Nature Center of Cape May’s

Eighth Annual Native Plant Sale

Order by May 1st, 2008
for pick up from May 10 to 17

Click here FOR THE 2008 NATIVE PLANT SALE CATALOG AND ORDER FORM!

 


Click here for other Spring Gardening and Native Plant Programs


 

2008 Children's Summer Programs

at the Nature Center of Cape May

Click here for the 2008 Children's Summer Programs Brochure.

Click here for a 2008 CSP Registration Form.

Click here for information on Rutgers Cooperative Extension's Summer Junior Intern Program at the nature center.

Click here for additional information about children's programs.


Directions

Take Garden State Parkway to the end and continue over the Cape May Canal bridge into Cape May. Continue straight on Lafayette Street, pass over a small bridge and then make the first available left turn onto Sydney Avenue. Go one block and turn left on Washington Avenue. Bear to your right and then turn right on Texas Avenue. The road will turn into Pittsburgh Avenue. Go to Delaware Avenue and turn left. The nature center is two blocks down at the corner of Brooklyn and Delaware, on the right.




Cape May Harbor Sunset

Mission Statement

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.


ABOUT THE NATURE CENTER OF CAPE MAY

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.  Click on the links below for more information.

NOTE:  Some of the following links are for PDF files. PDF files require the use of the Adobe® Reader® software application to download and read. If you do not have this software on your computer, you can obtain a free copy of it at the Adobe website by clicking here.


OUR PROGRAMS

Public Programs

The Nature Center of Cape May offers a diverse array of educational natural history programs for the public that vary with the seasons. Regularly scheduled adult, family and children’s programs are conducted year round. These programs visit many of the habitats in the vicinity of the nature center. Popular with summer visitors to Cape May, the center is the perfect place to begin exploration of the natural wonders of the Southern Cape at any time of the year.

Click Here to see our detailed Calendar of Events.

We also offer Natural History Programs for groups.
Click Here for a brochure (in PDF format). 
 


School Group Programs

Environmental Experiences For Students

The Nature Center offers a full schedule of Field Investigation and Outreach / Lab activities for schools and other groups. The Nature Center's Programs are composed of modular activities which can be selected for each group's age and developmental level. Teachers may choose among our offerings and tailor a program to their curriculum or interests.

Click Here for more information about School Group Programs.


Scout Programs

The Nature Center of Cape May offers special programs and activities designed to help your troop or pack meet their badge requirements.

Click Here for more information about Scout Programs.


Special Seasonal Events:


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Did you know that sanctuary director Gretchen Ferrante started out as a volunteer? We are always looking for a few good men (and women and children) to help our ever-growing center. Want to lead programs or walks for us? We’ll train you and offer a variety of benefits that will make it a very worthwhile experience. 

Volunteers needed in the following categories:

  • Reception desk

  • Computer data entry

  • Public relations and marketing

  • Writing

  • Teacher’s aids

  • Associate Naturalists

  • Retail store

  • Special events and fundraising

  • Artists

  • Handyman or Handywoman


Coast Guard volunteers

Call the nature center and speak with any staff member regarding your interests. (609)898-8848


MEMBERSHIPS & DONATIONS

The Nature Center of Cape May does not receive national, state or county funding for its operations. We are supported by memberships, program fees, special grants, fundraisers and donations. 

Membership with NCCM is through our parent organization the New Jersey Audubon Society. Not only do you gain the membership privileges at our center but also the eight other NJAS centers throughout the state.

For more information on how to become a member, click here.

bulletA special fund has been created called the Path to Discovery. This "Buy a Brick" campaign is targeted for our new children's garden.  Click Here to download a brochure    (in PDF format).

In-kind or monetary donations targeted specifically for the Nature Center of Cape May can be sent directly to:

NJAS Nature Center of Cape May
Attention:  Gretchen Ferrante, Director
1600 Delaware Ave.
Cape May, NJ 08204

Click Here to see our "Wish List" for donations.



 

Copyright © 2008 New Jersey Audubon Society
All rights reserved.