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Weis Ecology Center
Introduction

"In our turbulent world, so full of cross-currents, we have found a tiny haven, a place to give a demonstration of how life begins, continues, and with the wonderful interaction developed eons of years ago, recreates itself and goes on in peace and beauty."
-- May Weis (founder Weis Ecology Center), May 19, 1974  

150 Snake Den Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
(973) 835-2160
E-mail: weis@njaudubon.org

        
 

 

 The Visitor's Center will be closed for the winter season between October 31, 2011 and April 1, 2012

 

Unfortunately we will not be selling Christmas Trees this year.  With the Visitor's Center closed and our grower getting out of the business, there were too many things working against us providing the perfect trees that people have come to expect.

 

 

The parking lot and grounds will remain open 7 days a week.  Feel free to park and hike our trails and the trails in the adjacent Norvin Green State Forest.

 

Although the Visitor's Center will be closed, we will still be delivering our quality school and scout group programs offsite (We'll come to you!)  Call for more details.

 

We are also booking school and scout groups for the spring environmental education season.  If you would like to book a program, please call the office or e-mail us at weis@njaudubon.org, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

 

With program attendance down, and despite proximity to one of America's most affluent communities, New Jersey Audubon recently announced that it was turning Weis Ecology Center into a seasonal program center.  Balancing fiscal responsibility and the organization’s mission to serve both the organizations human and wildlife constituency, it was decided to trim winter operations and allocate resource to serve visitors during the peak visitor seasons.

  • Just 40 miles west of New York City
  • Approximately 30 minutes from Route 80
  • Easy access from George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel or Tappan Zee Bridge
  • Approximately 15 minutes from Route 287

In 1974, Walter and May Weis purchased 160 acres of land in Ringwood, NJ, in order to realize their dream of preserving land for the purpose of environmental education. Thus, the Weis Ecology Center, a private, non-profit organization, was created to offer the public a unique opportunity to learn about the Northern New Jersey Highlands Region. Today Weis educates over 20,000 people annually.

VISIT WEIS:  Bird Feeding Station where the feeders viewed from our observation deck attract a wide variety of birds including our resident hummingbirds during the summer; Butterfly Garden/Model Backyard Habitat May ~ September to watch the birds, butterflies, and caterpillars which frequent our garden or pick up ideas to improve your own yard;  Nature Store your nearby natural resource offering children's gift items, field guides & books, bird feeders & accessories; stop in our Visitor Center to see our live snakes, turtle, and other seasonal/photography displays; and pick up a trail map which will open the door to the 24+ miles of trails that depart from the Weis’s private grounds to explore Norvin Green State Forest and the surrounding Highlands.


Enjoy a scenic view of the Wanaque Reservoir from Wyanokie High Point.
Visit our butterfly/songbird garden.
Sit by the flowing water of Chikahoki Falls.
Come visit Weis and revel in the beauty of the outdoors!


Consider becoming a Volunteer!
Weis has a large number of volunteer projects from database management to bulk mailings to gardening to invasive species management to public program assistance.  Please contact Phaedra Demers, Teacher-Naturalist to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how your interests can help us at Weis.  Your time is valuable to us, so thank you!  Weis couldn't serve all the audiences we do without our volunteers.