Opinion: Check out NJ’s great nature destinations – Opinion – Burlington County Times

New Jersey has an amazing diversity of landscapes, and every region has a unique assemblage of native plants and animals, geological features and history.

Want to explore the state’s incredible natural diversity? Nothing tells the stories better than New Jersey’s environmental centers and science museums.

These centers are gems for nature lovers of all ages. They have fascinating interpretive exhibits, fun programs for children and adults, and sometimes live animals. Most are open year-round and are great rainy-day destinations.

Here is a sampling:

Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, Jersey City: The state’s largest, the center is full of exhibits to satisfy the curiosity of anyone interested in natural sciences. Visitors are only steps away from the park’s incredible views of the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline.

Trailside Nature and Science Center, Mountainside: In Union County’s Watchung Reservation, the center includes a three-story American beech tree, live animals, lifesize wigwam, exhibits on varied wildlife habitats, and a gem and mineral exhibit. There are trails just outside the center.

Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland: Children can enjoy both outdoor exploration and hands-on activities at this busy center in West Essex Park. Events include nature-themed crafts, kids’ gardening, guided bird walks and strolls through the wooded wetlands, frog pond science, and classes in wilderness skills and nature identification.

Merrill Creek Reservoir, Harmony: Nestled in the mountains of Warren County, the visitor center contains wildlife, and historical and cultural exhibits. There’s also a weather station, wildlife viewing area, spotting scope, interactive “kids corner,” butterfly and hummingbird garden in summer, stunning views of the reservoir, and beautiful trails.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Outdoor Education Center, Chatham: On the eastern end of the refuge, the center includes live reptiles and insects, interactive displays, a replica bear den, and model Lenape Indian wigwam. Outside are two miles of flat trails and a boardwalk with spectacular views of swamp, marsh, meadow, pond and forest habitats, and wildlife.

Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Park, Basking Ridge: At the western end of the Great Swamp, the center is run by Somerset County and focuses on the swamp’s ecology and archaeology. One cool feature is a model beaver dam that kids can crawl through before heading outside to look for the real thing.

Watershed Center, Pennington: The center is the hub for the Watershed Institute’s advocacy, science and education programs. It includes exhibit halls with live animal displays and interactive exhibits, laboratory and art gallery. The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House is open seasonally.

Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown: Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, view a colorful array of birds, and make friends with live turtles and snakes. A surrounding Monmouth County park features walking trails and picnic areas.

Cooper Environmental Center, Cattus Island Park, Toms River: The newly-renovated center in Ocean County includes hands-on educational displays such as a live view osprey cam, habitat tree and tunnel, bird viewing area, children’s activity corner, and spectacular collections of live reptiles and fish. The park also contains a seasonal butterfly garden and 1,000-foot accessible boardwalk.

Island Beach State Park Nature Center, Seaside Park: The center teaches visitors about the unique ecosystem of this barrier island. Highlights include live animal exhibits, educational displays, and 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. The interpretive center also contains the Emily DeCamp Herbarium plant collection and the Osprey Cam.

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford: The refuge is part of 171 wooded acres on the edge of the Pine Barrens and includes many hands-on exhibits. There’s also an outdoor area with more than 60 native animals and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital.

Rancocas Nature Center, Rancocas State Park, Westampton: The center features a wildlife viewing area, historical displays, live reptiles, and lots of programs for young naturalists. In addition to a 19th-century farmhouse converted into a nature center, there are three miles of trails throughout various habitats along the Rancocas Creek, picnic area and pond.

Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor: Open daily during the summer and on weekends in the off-season, the institute features exhibits on the life cycle of diamondback terrapins, an aquarium, an elevated walkway through a salt marsh, indoor displays, an osprey cam, and an expansive view of the marsh.

New Jersey Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May: The center includes indoor and outdoor observation areas, a nature trail, art and nature exhibits, themed gardens and a store. Kids will love the “nature nook” with live animals, including turtles and snakes, and the seasonal “touch tank” with marine critters.

Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.