Stony Brook - Millstone Watershed
31 Titus Mill Rd.
Pennington, NJ 08534
(609) 737-3735 • 737-7592 Buttinger N.C. • 737-8899 Farm
www.thewatershed.org

Places Nearby:
Black River & Western Railroad
Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
Howell Living History Farm
Washington Crossing State Park
NJ State Police Museum
Princeton Historical Society
Drumthwacket
Princeton University Art Museum
More in:

Other States:

So what is a watershed? The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as "The region draining into a river, river system, or body of water." Within a watershed, animals, plants, and people share water and resources.

Drained by Stony Brook and the Millstone River, this 285-square mile watershed encompasses all or part of twenty-six municipalities in five New Jersey counties. For more than four decades, the Watershed Association has helped see that this resource is used wisely, and that the community's environmental awareness is enhanced through a wide variety of educational programs at its Nature Center and Demonstration Organic Farm.

The Buttinger Nature Center is part of the Association's beautiful 585-acre Reserve. Here, many educational programs can be enjoyed by both individuals and groups. The Center's Stony Brook Gallery features a full calendar of changing exhibitions -- all nature-related.

Family programs and activities are wide-ranging and can include workshops, bird watching, hiking the Center's 8 miles of trails, tracking, orienteering, maple sugaring, canoeing, and much, much more. Membership, while not required, brings an informative quarterly newsletter announcing upcoming activities. Educators can take workshops to enhance environmental teaching techniques. Individual students can enjoy wholesome after school-activities. The Association runs a summer camp, too, as well as many summertime family activities, classes, and field trips. And what a place for a Birthday Party! School Groups can choose from a wide selection of interactive programs for all grade levels. Discover (grades Pre-K - 6) explores the magic that the current season brings through a nature walk and creating a mural. Exploring a Pond (K - 12) examines stream life to learn about their relationships between themselves and mankind. Who Lives Here? (K - 2) takes a look at animals' homes in the wild. Tracking (2 - 5) teaches students to identify animal tracks and other signs. Exploring the Night (3 - 12) is an evening in the woods revealing the wonders of night-time ecology. Fun with Trees (K - 6) is an interactive program giving students all the basics of trees. Programs last from 90 minutes to 3 hours. Many others are available, including programs that can be delivered at school.


Hours: Reserve is open daily, dawn to dusk. Buttinger Center: Thursdays and Saturdays, 2 - 4:30pm. Events and programs may take place at other times. Hours depend on sufficient volunteer support, so call to confirm. Main Office: Weekdays 9am - 5pm.

Admission: FREE. Family Programs generally cost within the range of $10 - $15 for nonmembers. Extensive programs cost more. Call for info on after-school classes, camp, field trips, etc.

Groups: School Programs: Modest fee charged. Call for details.

Group Reservations: About 4 weeks in advance.

Lunch: Picnic areas available.

Handicapped Access: Center accessible.

Directions: I-95 North to Rt. 31 North (Pennington). Pass Pennington Circle, drive about 2½ miles. At Watershed Reserve sign turn right onto Titus Mill Rd. 1.3 miles to entrance on left. 30 - 60 minutes from Philadelphia.

Copyright © 1996-2014 by Patrick Tadeushuk. All Rights Reserved.