Darien Nature Center

The Darien Nature Center began as a fledgling summer program in 1979 at the Darien Community Association. The Nature Center moved to its first permanent quarters in Cherry Lawn Park in 1988. Over the next decade, as programs improved and expanded, the Board of Directors launched a capital campaign to raise funds to build a new facility in the park. Thanks to the support of the Board of Selectmen and families throughout town, the Darien Nature Center opened the doors to its new building in February of 2002.

Since its inception, the Nature Center has housed a collection of live animals, including rabbits, turtles, screech owls, reptiles and prairie dogs. Seasonal exhibits, featuring our own collections and the works of area artists, also serve to attract people of all ages. In addition, the Nature Center Board of Directors hosts community-wide events, including Down on the Farm, Hoot and Howl and Festival of Wreaths.

Programs for children include weekday enrichment offerings for pre-schoolers, afterschool programs for the elementary child and in-school, scouting and field trip programs provided by our naturalist. Most popular are our summer programs for children ages 3 – 10. The Nature Center also co-sponsors environmental lectures and films in collaboration with the Darien Land Trust.

To maintain our reputation as a valuable community resource, the Nature Center recently added an animal rehabilitation center for small mammals.