Anita Purves Nature Center
1505 N. Broadway, Urbana, IL 61801
Telephone: (217) 384-4062
Hours:
Hours through May 31, 2009: M-F 8am to 5pm, Sa 9am to 4pm, closed Su
Hours June 1-August 30, 2009: M-F 8am to 5:30pm, Sa 9am to 4pm, closed Su
Closed: May 25, July 3, July 4, August 16-23, September 7
Located at the north end of Crystal Lake Park, the Anita Purves Nature Center is an environmental education facility open free to the public. Next door you'll find Busey Woods, a 59-acre forest preserve with a boardwalk loop, seasonal ponds and more.
The Nature Center is on the MTD Gold bus line on weekdays and the Silver bus line on Saturdays.
Educators!
Bring your students to the nature center, or have a traveling naturalist come to you! The Anita Purves Nature Center offers a variety of environmental education programs and services to area educators. Programs complement local school district curricula and are Illinois Learning Standards-based. Home school groups are also invited to use these services. Welcome your students to the world of nature with the following programs.
School Tours at Busey Woods and Meadowbrook Prairie are offered in fall, winter, and spring as seasonal program topics. Ranging in length from 1.25-2 hours, each is designed for a specific age group or grade level from Pre-K to 5th grade. Activities include observation, hands-on investigation, exploration, games, and/or data collection appropriate to the students’ ages. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have better concentration indoors.
Naturalist in the Classroom programs are available throughout the school year. A naturalist will visit your classroom to present a program. A wide variety of topics are available for Pre-K through 5th grades. The program may include a visit with one of the Nature Center’s resident wildlife.
Recently revised and updated, Educational Loan Kits are self-contained teaching units available to area educators. Available in a wide variety of topics, they are designed to supplement classroom activities and contain activity guides, natural history specimens, tools, and props for both indoor and outdoor activities. The Nature Center is also a lending center for several Illinois Department of Natural Resources Loan Trunks. Download the Educational Loan Kits Flier.
Download the 2009-20010 Educational Services Brochure for a complete list of environmental education programs for your classroom and other opportunities.
Learn More
For more information about programs and services, please call 384-4062. And don't miss the Audubon Nature Shop located inside.
Amenities:
Accessible Areas · Drinking Fountains · Natural Areas · Open Fields · Parking · Paths · Rentals · Restrooms · Sitting Areas · Trails · Water Features
Everyone can learn something when they step into the Naturalist's Field Station in the Exhibit Hall.
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