Waterman Conservation Education Center

Located on a hillside overlooking the Susquehanna River Valley, this 96 acre refuge is the Center's primary site. Four miles of nature trails wind their way around open woodlands, meadows, a small stream and a gorge. Our nature trails are a perfect place to see wildlife, stroll along our wooden walkway trail, enjoy the sounds of the creek in the gorge, capture that perfect picture, read our interpretive educational signs, or simply take in the beauty that is the Waterman Center. Our nature trails are varied and diverse, offering hikers a range of opportunities as they explore our property. The woodland trail winds through a mature forest of hemlock, ash, Hawthorne, spruce, aspen and other plant species. The gorge offers a small waterfall and various critters in the creek. The meadows are in several stages of secession and offer another look at nature. Hiking trails are open daily dawn to dusk at no cost every day of the year. The trails are available for Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing in the winter. (Ski and Snowshoe rentals are available through the interpretive center.) Educational programs for people of all ages take place in our outdoor classroom, teaching the interdependence and diversity of the natural environment. Visitors can spend all four seasons exploring what the trails have to offer. There is a special 500 ft children's trail named Nokomis' Trail of Tales, where each section of the trail features a local animal. There are wooden cutouts, seating, laminated storybooks, and other accessories relating to each animal. Developed by girl scouts in 2009, the completeness and attention to detail makes this trail one of the highlights of any visitor's trip to Waterman Center. This trail ends at the wildlife gardens making the short trek to the frog pond a definite feature of this short, but memorable trail.