List of nature centres in Canada facts for kids

Canada is home to many amazing places called nature centres and environmental education centres. These special spots help us learn about the natural world around us. They teach us about animals, plants, and how we can protect our environment. Many of these centres offer fun activities, trails, and exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Exploring Nature Centres Across Canada

Alberta's Wild Wonders

Alberta has several cool nature centres where you can explore and learn.

Beaverhill Lake Nature Centre

Located in Tofield, this centre teaches you about local natural history. It's a great place to find out about birdwatching in the area.

Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation

Found in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, near Slave Lake, this centre is all about boreal birds. You can see indoor and outdoor exhibits and learn about birds that live in Canada's northern forests.

Bow Habitat Station

In Calgary, the Bow Habitat Station is a big park with lots to see. It has aquariums, a fish hatchery, and even a trout pond. You can enjoy hands-on exhibits and learn about aquatic life.

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

This centre in Lethbridge is part of a large nature reserve. It's a perfect place to explore the outdoors and learn about the local environment.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre

Also in Calgary, this is a large wildlife reserve. It's a peaceful spot to observe birds and other wildlife in their natural home.

John Janzen Nature Centre

Operated by the City of Edmonton, this centre offers fun ways to connect with nature. It's a popular spot for families and school groups.

Kerry Wood Nature Center

Near Red Deer, this centre is next to the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a protected park for migratory birds.

Kimiwan Lake Interpretive Centre

You can find this seasonal centre in McLennan. It's run by local naturalists who love the Kimiwan Lake area.

Police Point Park Nature Centre

In Medicine Hat, this centre is located in a large natural reserve. It's managed by the Society of Grasslands Naturalists.

British Columbia's Diverse Ecosystems

British Columbia offers a wide range of nature experiences, from mountains to the coast.

Allan Brooks Nature Centre

This seasonal centre in Vernon is named after a famous naturalist. It's a great place to learn about the local environment.

Buck Creek Canfor Hatchery & Nature Centre

Located in Houston, this centre is a small salmon hatchery. It also serves as a nature centre, teaching about local fish and wildlife.

Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area

Near Creston, this huge area has a Wildlife Interpretation Centre. It's open seasonally and is a fantastic place to see diverse wildlife.

Goldstream Nature House

In Langford, within Goldstream Provincial Park, this nature house offers seasonal programs. You can learn about the park's natural features.

Gorge Waterway Nature House

Found in Esquimalt, this centre has seasonal programs and displays. It teaches about the local ecosystems around the Gorge Waterway.

Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve

This reserve in Chilliwack is a large area with a Rotary Interpretive Centre. It's known for its great blue herons and other wetland birds.

Iris Griffith Centre, Ruby Lake Lagoon

In Madeira Park, this centre teaches about how humans interact with nature. It covers everything from mountains to the sea.

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Located in Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver, this centre has a natural history museum. It also offers many education programs.

Miracle Beach Nature House

Within Miracle Beach Provincial Park near Campbell River, this nature house has seasonal programs. It's a great spot to learn about the park's environment.

Morrell Nature Sanctuary

In Nanaimo, this sanctuary has over 100 hectares of preserved forest. It offers many kilometers of walking trails for you to explore.

Nk'mip Desert Cultural Centre

Located in Osoyoos, this centre explores the natural history of the Okanagan Desert. It also teaches about the culture of the Osoyoos Indian Band.

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre

In Errington, this facility helps injured wildlife. They specialize in raptors (birds of prey) and black bears.

Osoyoos Desert Centre

Also in Osoyoos, this centre focuses on the Okanagan Desert. It's a large interpretive facility that teaches about this unique environment.

Rathtrevor Beach Nature House

Found in Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Parksville, this nature house has seasonal programs. It's a fun place to learn about the beach and forest.

Richmond Nature Park

This park in Richmond includes a Nature House. It's a large natural area perfect for exploring.

Scout Island Nature House

In Williams Lake, this centre is open seasonally. It's a great place to learn about the local nature.

Stanley Park Nature House

Located in Stanley Park in Vancouver, this centre offers exhibits and programs. It teaches about the park's amazing natural history.

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

In Saanich, this sanctuary features the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House. It's a beautiful place to observe local wildlife.

Manitoba's Prairie and Wetlands

Manitoba's centres highlight the unique prairie and wetland environments.

FortWhyte Alive

In Winnipeg, FortWhyte Alive is a huge area with natural history exhibits and live animals. You can see a bison prairie, walk interpretive trails, and visit a family treehouse.

Living Prairie Museum

Also in Winnipeg, this museum is a preserve of tall grass prairie. It has displays about prairie history and ecology.

Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre

Near Stonewall, this centre is part of a large Wildlife Management Area. It's a fantastic spot for birdwatching and learning about wetlands.

Riverbank Discovery Centre

In Brandon, this centre focuses on the natural history of the Assiniboine River. It also provides tourism information for the area.

New Brunswick's Coastal and Forest Learning

New Brunswick's centres offer insights into its diverse landscapes.

Cape Jourimain Nature Centre

Located at Cape Jourimain, this centre teaches about the natural history of the Northumberland Strait.

Ducks Unlimited Conservation Centre

In Fredericton, this centre is operated by Ducks Unlimited. It's on the banks of the Saint John River.

Irving Eco-Centre

Found in Bouctouche, this centre is operated by J. D. Irving. It focuses on the sand dune environment of La Dune de Bouctouche.

Lamèque Eco-Parc

This seasonal eco-park is located in Lamèque. It's a great place to enjoy nature and learn about the local environment.

Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre

In St. Andrews, this centre combines art with nature. It has an art gallery and offers classes on both art and nature.

Tantramar Wetlands Centre

Near Sackville, this centre focuses on wetlands education. It offers special programs for students and teachers about the Tantramar Marshes.

Wild Salmon Nature Centre

Also in St. Andrews, this centre teaches about salmon. You can learn about their biology, research, and the issues affecting them.

Newfoundland's Unique Environments

Newfoundland has centres that explore its distinct natural heritage.

The Fluvarium

In St. John's, this centre teaches about the natural history of the river. It's operated by the Quidi Vidi/Rennie's River Development Foundation.

Salmonier Nature Park

Near Holyrood, this park has trails and animal displays. It's a centre for environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation.

Nova Scotia's Natural Treasures

Nova Scotia's centres highlight its rich natural history, including famous fossil sites.

Joggins Fossil Centre

Located in Joggins, this centre has museum exhibits about the famous Joggins Fossil Cliffs. You can also take guided beach tours.

Natural Resources Education Centre

In Middle Musquodoboit, this centre is operated by the Province. It offers educational programs for schools and groups on its large property.

Robie Tufts Nature Centre

In Wolfville, this centre is known for its structure for chimney swifts. It's operated by the Blomidon Naturalists Society.

Ontario's Diverse Landscapes

Ontario, with its vast size, has many nature centres across different regions.

Apps' Mill Nature Centre

Near Brantford, this centre is located on a large property with forests and fields. It also features an old flour and grist mill from 1841.

Backus Mill Heritage and Conservation Centre

In Port Rowan, this centre has a grist mill from the late 1700s. It also offers conservation education and a heritage village.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Near Oakville, this large park has a nature centre and a children's farm. You can also visit a historic farmhouse museum from the early 1900s.

Ball’s Falls Centre for Conservation

Located at Ball's Falls, this centre teaches about the natural and cultural history of the Niagara Escarpment. It also has a ghost town with restored buildings.

Cooper Marsh Conservation Area

In South Lancaster, this area has a visitor centre on Lake Saint Francis. It's operated by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority.

EcoHouse Green Venture

In Hamilton, this centre is all about sustainable living. It's an environmental education and demonstration centre.

Giant Rib Discovery Centre

Located in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area near Dundas, this centre explores the natural history of the valley and the Niagara Escarpment.

Gamiing Nature Centre

Near Lindsay, this centre offers workshops and events. It focuses on lake ecosystems and their importance.

Guelph Lake Nature Centre

In Guelph, this centre is part of the Guelph Lake Conservation Area. It's operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Heartland Forest Nature Experience

Near Niagara Falls, this forest has accessible trails. It's a great place for everyone to experience nature.

High Park Nature Centre

Located in High Park in Toronto, this centre serves as an educational hub. It teaches visitors about the park's natural environment.

H. R. Frink Outdoor Education Centre

In Plainfield, this centre offers outdoor education. It's operated by school boards in partnership with Quinte Conservation.

Kortright Centre for Conservation

In Vaughan, this large centre focuses on environmental and renewable energy education. It's operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Laurel Creek Nature Centre

Near Waterloo, this centre is operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. It's located on a large property.

Ojibway Nature Center and Ojibway Park

In Windsor, this centre teaches about the natural history of the Ojibway Prairie Complex. It's operated by the Windsor Department of Parks.

Presqu'ile Provincial Park

Near Brighton, this park features a nature centre and a Lighthouse Interpretive Centre. It's a great place to learn about the park's wildlife and history.

Rockwood Nature Centre

This seasonal centre is in Rockwood Park. It's operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Rouge Valley Conservation Centre

Located in Rouge Park in Toronto, this centre offers environmental education programs. You can also go on guided hikes in the park.

Royal Botanical Gardens

In Burlington, these gardens are huge. They include an arboretum, a nature interpretive centre, and many trails.

Shade's Mill Nature Centre

Near Cambridge, this centre is part of the Shade's Mill Conservation Area. It's operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Taquanyah Nature Centre

In Cayuga, this centre is operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. It's located in the Taquanyah Conservation Area.

Toronto Botanical Garden

In Toronto, this garden features 17 themed "city-sized gardens." It also offers environmental education programs.

University of Guelph Arboretum

In Guelph, this arboretum offers workshops and special events. It includes the J.C. Taylor Centre.

Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Near Morrisburg, this sanctuary is a huge area for birds. It has an interpretive centre with exhibits and education programs.

Wawanosh Nature Centre

In Belgrave, this centre is operated by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. It's located in the Wawanosh Valley Conservation Area.

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

Near Midland, this centre has wetlands, forests, and live animals. You can explore trails, go canoeing, and use observation towers.

Prince Edward Island's Coastal Learning

Prince Edward Island has a special centre for learning about its unique environment.

Macphail Woods Nature Centre

In Orwell, this centre is operated by the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project. It focuses on ecological forestry.

Quebec's Natural and Cultural Sites

Quebec's centres often combine natural history with cultural insights.

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

In Saint-Joachim, this area is a critical habitat for the Greater Snow Goose. It includes marshes, wetlands, and forests.

Centre d'interprétation de la nature du Lac Boivin

Near Granby, this centre is a large natural area. It's a great place to learn about the local environment.

Centre d'interprétation de la nature et marais Laperrière

In Duhamel-Ouest, this seasonal centre teaches about the natural history of wetlands.

Maison Girard Interpretive Centre

In L'Isle-Verte, this centre teaches about peat bogs and tidal marshes. It focuses on the Baie de l'Isle-Verte.

Saguenay Fjord National Park

This park includes several interpretation centres. These include the Saguenay Fjord Interpretation Centre, Beluga Interpretation Centre, and Maison des Dunes Interpretation Centre.

Tadoussac Bird Observatory

Near Les Bergeronnes, this seasonal observatory focuses on bird banding and migration. It's located in Saguenay Fjord National Park.

Saskatchewan's Prairie Gems

Saskatchewan's centres highlight its unique prairie and bird habitats.

Battlefords Wildlife Federation Nature Centre

In North Battleford, this centre is operated by the Battlefords Wildlife Federation.

Beaver Creek Conservation Area

Near Saskatoon, this area has the Meewasin Valley Interpretive Centre. It features an uncultivated short grass prairie site.

Chaplin Nature Centre

In Chaplin, this centre has exhibits about shore birds and bird migration. It also covers the local brine shrimp and mining industry.

Foam Lake Visitor Centre and Nature Centre

In Foam Lake, this centre teaches about the natural history of the Quill Lakes. It also provides local tourism information.

Prairie Learning Centre

In Val Marie, this centre offers education programs. It focuses on the natural history of Grasslands National Park.

Prince Albert National Park of Canada Nature Centre

In Waskesiu Lake, this centre teaches about the natural history of the park. It also explains its importance within Canada's national parks.

Quill Lakes International Bird Area Interpretive Centre

Near Wynyard, this centre teaches about the natural history of the Quill Lakes. It also provides local tourism information.

Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre

In Moose Jaw, this seasonal centre focuses on protecting the endangered burrowing owl. It also teaches about their prairie habitat.

Wadena & District Museum & Nature Centre

In Wadena, this seasonal centre covers local pioneer heritage and natural history. It also teaches about the Quill Lakes.

See also

• List of nature centers in the United States