As the kids go back to school, they will be spending an increasing amount of time indoors.  Fall is a great time to get out exploring how nature is changing around us.  Why not discover one of the free or low cost environmental centers throughout New Jersey.  Many have educational programs available for all ages from young toddlers through teens.  Whether you are in the mood for a hike, a tour through a garden, or to see live animals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

North Jersey

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
324 Forest Drive South, Short Hills
Essex County

Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
443 Van Nostrand Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631 201-567-1265
Bergen County

Tenafly Nature Center
313 Hudson Ave, Tenafly 201-568-6093
Bergen County

Frelinghuysen Arboretum
353 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 326-7603
Morris County

Kay Environmental Center
200 Pottersville Rd, Chester Township, NJ
Morris County


Central Jersey

Duke Farms
1112 Dukes Parkway West Hillsborough, N.J. 08844 908-722-3700
Somerset County

Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 (908) 766-5787
Somerset County

Somerset County Park Environmental Education Center
190 Lord Stirling Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 908 766-2489
Somerset County

Stony Brook Millstone Watershed
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 609-737-3735
Mercer County

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center    
331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 732-751-9453
Monmouth County

Poricy Park Nature Center
345 Oak Hill Road Red Bank NJ 07701 732-842-5966
Monmouth County

Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 908-273-8787
Union County

Trailside Nature & Science Center
452 New Providence Rd, Mountainside, NJ 07092 908-789-3670
Union County


South Jersey

Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center
Route 545, Chesterfield Twp., NJ (609) 298-4028
Burlington County

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
6 Sawmill Rd, Medford, NJ 08055 (856) 983-3329
Burlington County

Cooper Environmental Center
1170 Cattus Island Blvd. Toms River, NJ 08753 732-270-6960
Ocean County

Jakes Branch County Park
1100 Double Trouble Rd, Beachwood, NJ 08722 732-281-2750
Ocean County

Wells Mills Nature Center
905 Wells Mills Road (Route 532), Waretown, NJ 609-971-3085
Ocean County

Warren E. Fox Nature Center
Estell Manor Park, 109 Boulevard Rt 50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 609-625-1897
Atlantic County

The Wetlands Institute
1075 Stone Harbor Blvd. Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 (609) 368-1211
Cape May County