Warren E. Fox Nature Center
Estell Manor Park
109 State Highway 50
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
(609) 645-5960 • 625-1897
www.aclink.org/PARKS/mainpages/nc.asp

Atlantic County, New Jersey maintains a sprawling system of parks totalling thousands of acres of beautiful woodlands and wetlands throughout the county. Combined these areas offer a wide range of outdoor activities that everyone can enjoy.

Estell Manor County Park is home to the Warren E. Fox Nature Center, a valuable asset to its own and surrounding communities.

Inside visitors will find displays depicting some of the area's history, plant and animal life, and ecological and environmental principles. The Greenhouse is also home to a collection of live animals, and a 50-seat auditorium is available for group meetings.

A wonderful resource for the family, the Center offers a variety of public programs, including activities such as

• Night Excursions
• Orienteering
• Bird Watching
• Reptile and Amphibian Walk
• Herb Garden Talks
• Lectures
• and more

Individuals and families can take various classes, including the Little Learners' Nature Class for youngsters. Several specialized clubs within the center give kids a chance to focus on an area of interest with meetings and activities.

School Groups and other groups can enjoy a large number of programs. Most topics can be adapted to any age, and they include

• General Nature Walk: covers the basics of nature
• Exploring the Seasons: shows how the seasons affect plant and animal life. Changing environmental conditions are also discussed
• Animal Demonstrations: naturalists use live and mounted animals to explain various ecological concepts
• Blind Walk: an interesting program that stresses senses other than sight, group members are blindfolded and led through the woods, touching, smelling, hearing and tasting things under the direction of the naturalist
• Estell Manor Park Tour: includes a slide show and tour to tell about the long history of this area.

Many other programs are available.

Field Studies include a lecture or slide presentation, a walk to a study site where hands-on instruction is given, and a follow-up back in the class. Topics include Orienteering (from beginning to advanced), Aquatic Ecology, Soil Science, Food Chains, Webs and Carrying Capacity, and many others. One interesting program, Man: Hero or Villain?, involves students in a mock town meeting to determine whether a certain activity should be permitted. Suggested topics are Buzz-off Sawmill, Recreation Areas, To Hunt or Not to Hunt.

Visitors will find this nature center to be quite complete. There are even special Teacher Workshops and slide presentation loan programs for educators. Note that some programs are seasonal, including family programs.