Earthplace
Encyclopedia
Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center is a natural history
museum, nature center
and wildlife sanctuary located at 10 Woodside Lane in Westport, Connecticut
.
s depict animals and plants found in various seasons and ecosystems in Connecticut. The adjacent Smilow Family Ecology Resource Lab houses live insects, amphibians and reptiles, as well as nature exploration activities and a diorama of backyard birds.
Earthplace houses a large collection of rescued wildlife that are exhibited as species ambassadors, including bald eagles, hawk
s, turkey vultures, a black vulture
, a kestrel
, several types of owl
s, a black rat snake
, and little brown bat
s. Several domestic animals are used in public programs, including rabbits, ferret
s, guinea pig
s, a Burmese python
and Madagascar hissing cockroach
es.
Earthplace maintains a 62 acres (25.1 ha) sanctuary, which is the largest open-space area in Westport. Trails cross areas of wetlands, ponds, streams, hardwood forests and meadows. Sightings of rabbit
s, chipmunk
s, deer
, box turtle
s, wild turkey
s, mink
, bullfrog
s, wood frog
s and many birds are regularly made on the trails.
The Native Plants Courtyard was designed in 1960 by landscape architect Eloise Ray to highlight plants native to southwestern Connecticut. Species include bloodroot
, trillium
, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild ginger
, Solomon's seal
, yellow lady's slipper
and prickly pear cactus.
The Bird and Butterfly Garden was created in 1985 and has been accredited by the National Wildlife Federation
as a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat
that is designed to provide food, shelter, water and nesting sites for wildlife. Birds seen include hummingbirds, American goldfinch
es, cedar waxwing
s, Robins
, and cardinal
s. Visiting butterflies include monarch
s, Eastern tiger swallowtail
s, black swallowtail
s, skippers, and painted ladies.
A large bronze statue of a mother bear and two cubs by noted animal sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington
is placed near the entrance to two major trails.
program rescues hundred of local animals each year, with the goal of releasing each animal back into the wild.
Harbor Watch / River Watch is a water quality
monitoring program supported by Earthplace. Staff scientists work with volunteers to take water samples from area streams and rivers, which are then analyzed in the center's state-certified laboratory. Harbor Watch also monitors the population of juvenile benthic fish in the Norwalk harbor
.
Founded in 1960, the Junior Staff program for middle and high school students focuses on natural science education, community service and personal growth.
Earthplace operates an accredited summer camp program, and offers after-school, school and scout group programs.
.
The Mid-Fairfield County Youth Museum opened in 1961. In 1973 the organization changed its name to the Nature Center for Environmental Activities. In 2002 the name was changed to Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center.
The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums
.
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
museum, nature center
Nature center
A nature center is an organization with a visitor center or interpretive center designed to educate people about nature and the environment. Usually located within a protected open space, nature centers often have trails through their property. Some are located within a state or city park, and...
and wildlife sanctuary located at 10 Woodside Lane in Westport, Connecticut
Westport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
.
Features
Natureplace is the museum room that features interactive nature displays, hands-on activities and a small video theater. Five large wildlife dioramaDiorama
The word diorama can either refer to a nineteenth century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum...
s depict animals and plants found in various seasons and ecosystems in Connecticut. The adjacent Smilow Family Ecology Resource Lab houses live insects, amphibians and reptiles, as well as nature exploration activities and a diorama of backyard birds.
Earthplace houses a large collection of rescued wildlife that are exhibited as species ambassadors, including bald eagles, hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
s, turkey vultures, a black vulture
Black vulture
Black vulture may refer to:* American Black Vulture* Eurasian Black Vulture...
, a kestrel
Kestrel
The name kestrel, is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects...
, several types of owl
Owl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
s, a black rat snake
Black Rat Snake
The Western ratsnake — also called black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake — is a nonvenomous colubrid species found in North America. No subspecies are currently recognized....
, and little brown bat
Little brown bat
The little brown bat is a species of the genus Myotis , one of the most common bats of North America...
s. Several domestic animals are used in public programs, including rabbits, ferret
Ferret
The ferret is a domesticated mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur...
s, guinea pig
Guinea pig
The guinea pig , also called the cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family, nor are they from Guinea...
s, a Burmese python
Burmese Python
The Burmese Python is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees...
and Madagascar hissing cockroach
Madagascar hissing cockroach
The Madagascar hissing Cockroach , also known as the Hissing Cockroach or simply Hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2–4 inches at maturity. They are from the island of Madagascar off the African coast, where they can be found in rotting logs.Unlike most cockroaches, they...
es.
Earthplace maintains a 62 acres (25.1 ha) sanctuary, which is the largest open-space area in Westport. Trails cross areas of wetlands, ponds, streams, hardwood forests and meadows. Sightings of rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s, chipmunk
Chipmunk
Chipmunks are small striped squirrels native to North America and Asia. They are usually classed either as a single genus with three subgenera, or as three genera.-Etymology and taxonomy:...
s, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, box turtle
Box turtle
The box turtle , or box tortoise is a genus of turtle native to North America . The 12 taxa which are distinguished in the genus are distributed over four species. It is largely characterized by having a domed shell, which is hinged at the bottom, allowing the animal to close its shell tightly to...
s, wild turkey
Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which derives from the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey .Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green...
s, mink
Mink
There are two living species referred to as "mink": the European Mink and the American Mink. The extinct Sea Mink is related to the American Mink, but was much larger. All three species are dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels and...
, bullfrog
Bullfrog
The American bullfrog , often simply known as the bullfrog in Canada and the United States, is an aquatic frog, a member of the family Ranidae, or “true frogs”, native to much of North America. This is a frog of larger, permanent water bodies, swamps, ponds, and lakes, where it is usually found...
s, wood frog
Wood Frog
The Wood Frog has a broad distribution over North America, extending from the southern Appalachians to the boreal forest with several notable disjunct populations including lowland eastern North Carolina...
s and many birds are regularly made on the trails.
Bloodroot
Bloodroot is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia, Canada southward to Florida, United States...
, trillium
Trillium
Trillium is a genus of about 40–50 species of spring ephemeral perennials, native to temperate regions of North America and Asia....
, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild ginger
Wild ginger
Wild ginger may refer to any of a variety of plants, often with a similar appearance, odour or taste to cultivated ginger. Species involved include:*Any of the Alpinia species, especially A. caerulea....
, Solomon's seal
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal may refer to:*Seal of Solomon, a legendary object*Solomon's Seal , by Pentangle*Star of David, a hexagram symbol of Judaism*Polygonatum, a genus of flowering plants...
, yellow lady's slipper
Lady's Slipper
Lady's slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids are the orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioidea, which includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium...
and prickly pear cactus.
The Bird and Butterfly Garden was created in 1985 and has been accredited by the National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
as a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Backyard Wildlife Habitat is a program of the National Wildlife Federation that encourages homeowners in the United States to manage their gardens and yards as a wildlife garden, with the goal of maintaining healthy and diverse animal habitats and ecosystems...
that is designed to provide food, shelter, water and nesting sites for wildlife. Birds seen include hummingbirds, American goldfinch
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch , also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a small North American bird in the finch family...
es, cedar waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing is a member of the family Bombycillidae or waxwing family of passerine birds. It breeds in open wooded areas in North America, principally southern Canada and the northern United States.-Description:...
s, Robins
American Robin
The American Robin or North American Robin is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is named after the European Robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the flycatcher family...
, and cardinal
Cardinal (bird)
The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae ....
s. Visiting butterflies include monarch
Monarch butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is a milkweed butterfly , in the family Nymphalidae. It is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Since the 19th century, it has been found in New Zealand, and in Australia since 1871 where it is called the Wanderer...
s, Eastern tiger swallowtail
Eastern tiger swallowtail
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a species of swallowtail butterfly native to North America. It is one of the most familiar butterflies in the eastern United States, where it is common in many different habitats. It flies from spring to fall, during which it produces two to three broods...
s, black swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail also called the American Swallowtail or Parsnip Swallowtail, is a butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is the state butterfly of Oklahoma...
s, skippers, and painted ladies.
A large bronze statue of a mother bear and two cubs by noted animal sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington
Anna Hyatt Huntington
Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington was an American sculptor.-Life and career:Huntington was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her father, Alpheus Hyatt, was a professor of paleontology and zoology at Harvard University and MIT, and served as a contributing factor to her early interest in animals and...
is placed near the entrance to two major trails.
Environmental activities
The Mary Eason Swett Wildlife RehabilitationWildlife rehabilitation
Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of removing from the wild and caring for injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals. The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide the food, housing and medical care of these animals, returning them to the wild after treatment.-Process:Rehabilitation begins...
program rescues hundred of local animals each year, with the goal of releasing each animal back into the wild.
Harbor Watch / River Watch is a water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
monitoring program supported by Earthplace. Staff scientists work with volunteers to take water samples from area streams and rivers, which are then analyzed in the center's state-certified laboratory. Harbor Watch also monitors the population of juvenile benthic fish in the Norwalk harbor
Norwalk Harbor
Norwalk Harbor is a recreational and commercial harbor and seaportat the estuary of the Norwalk River where it flows into Long Island Soundin Norwalk, Connecticut, United States.The last portion of the Norwalk River from the head of navigation...
.
Education
The Earthplace Nursery School has been operating on the grounds since 1967 and is licensed by the state of Connecticut.Founded in 1960, the Junior Staff program for middle and high school students focuses on natural science education, community service and personal growth.
Earthplace operates an accredited summer camp program, and offers after-school, school and scout group programs.
History
Earthplace was founded in 1958 as one of the many science and nature museums being developed around the country by groups led by naturalist John Ripley ForbesJohn Ripley Forbes
John Ripley Forbes was an American naturalist and conservationist who founded hundreds of nature museums for children in over 200 communities and thirty states. His museums were noted for noted their interactivity as children could often even borrow animals. In 1937, Forbes founded the William...
.
The Mid-Fairfield County Youth Museum opened in 1961. In 1973 the organization changed its name to the Nature Center for Environmental Activities. In 2002 the name was changed to Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center.
The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums
American Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
.