About Us
For the past 34 years, the John Janzen Nature Centre's interactive exhibits, educational programming, and special events have encouraged visitors towards a greater awareness of and engagement with the wonders of nature that surround us.
The current renovations of the nature centre facilities have been designed to create even more ways for visitors to experience for themselves the joy of discovering nature in an urban environment.
Explore natural habitats from the point of view of the animals that live in them in the new Tegler Discovery Zone, and get up close and personal with wildlife at the Prairie Pond. Discover the benefits of composting at the Backyard Compost Education Centre, then enjoy a peaceful stroll along interpretive trails through the surrounding river valley.
The John Janzen Nature Centre invites visitors of all ages to have fun while learning more about the importance of Edmonton's natural spaces.
Tegler Discovery Zone
This new indoor play space re-creates local wildlife habitat in a way that children can learn about nature from the perspective of an animal. Crawling and climbing structures are designed for children up to age 10, although all ages are welcome to explore the rest of the Tegler Discovery Zone.
Exhibit Room
Every week we'll feature a different exhibit room theme so you can check out different nature artifacts, crafts, experiments, activities and games.
Animal Encounters
Small wildlife such as salamanders, garter snakes and frogs are on display in the exhibit room.
Check out the animal feeding schedule
Honeybee Hive
Watch bees, busy at work, at our indoor/outdoor working beehive exhibit.
Prairie Pond
Examine pond life up close and personal with our newly redesigned pond. This water oasis also attracts ducks, blackbirds and frogs in the spring and summer.
Backyard Compost Education Centre
This outdoor exhibit demonstrates how you can incorporate composting into your waste disposal routine. Learn the composting process and sample composting units designed for large and small yards.
History of the Nature Centre
The John Janzen Nature Centre, Canada’s oldest municipally-operated nature centre, officially opened its doors on October 6, 1976. It was the project of the late John Janzen, Superintendent of Edmonton’s Parks and Recreation Department from 1966-1972, who played a key role in the protection of river valley lands as parks.
When it opened, the John Janzen Nature Centre offered courses and workshops, Sunday walks, junior naturalist activities and an exhibit room featuring touch tables and living displays, with programs run mainly by volunteers.
By 1988, the centre occupied a unique educational niche, focusing its programming specifically on nature appreciation in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Edmonton Nature Centres Foundation
The Edmonton Nature Centres Foundation (ENCF) was formed in 1979 as a non-profit organization to support the John Janzen Nature Centre.
The ENCF is responsible for developing a vision for the nature centre, then planning and implementing projects to carry out that vision.
Some examples of the ENCF’s projects have been the redevelopment of the pond, maintenance of the compost display, maintenance of the nature trails, development of a native plant garden, and the current expansion of the nature centre facilities.
For more information visit http://www.encf.org/
For more information:
John Janzen Nature Centre
7000-143 Street
Whitemud Drive & Fox Drive
Shared parking lot with Fort Edmonton Park
| Telephone | For more information, program registration, school and group program bookings call 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
|---|---|
| attractions@edmonton.ca | |
| http://www.facebook.com/JohnJanzenNatureCentre |
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