Youngsters are pictured in the Audubon Community Nature Center’s revamped Indoor Nature Play Area made possible by the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation.

The Audubon Community Nature Center’s building admission fee has been ‘by donation only’ since the building reopened to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020.

“Our visitors have been wonderfully generous with their donations,” said Leigh Rovegno, Audubon executive director. “Now that we have returned to ‘full service’ and expanded our offerings, we are going back to paid admissions for non-nature center members beginning August 2.”

Audubon’s most recent addition is the new Hellbender exhibit. Eastern Hellbenders are a species of giant aquatic salamander. A pair, named Oneka and Tweeg, have joined the fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, toad, and Bald Eagle that live at Audubon.

The Nature Center building also features the revamped Indoor Nature Play Area, Blue Heron Gift Shop, interactive exhibits, and the winning photographs from the 2020 Nature Photography Contest.

Rovegno said building admission fees support Audubon’s animals, buildings and grounds, and trails that are free and open to the public to use daily.

Building admission prices are the same as they were previous to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. There is no charge for children under 2 while the fee is $2 for children ages 3 to 15 and $6 for those 16 and up, with a maximum family price of $15. Admission is free for all on Sundays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Free building admission is included for shopping in the Blue Heron Gift Shop and attending an Audubon program, event, or private rental. Visit six miles of trails on the 600-acre nature preserve from dawn to dusk daily free of charge.

“Now is the time to become a Nature Center member!” Rovegno said. “There are so many benefits to being a member, and memberships play a huge part in Audubon’s ability to bring nature education to thousands of children and adults.”

Audubon members receive free admission to the nature center building, Audubon’s bimonthly newsletter in their inbox or mailbox, two building admission passes for non-member guests, a vote at ACNC business meetings, 10% off all items in the Blue Heron Gift Shop, 30% off annual Birdseed Sale items, 25% off program prices and 10% off rentals, birthday parties and Audubon’s Escape Room.

“Perhaps most important,” Rovegno said, “is being part of the Audubon family — getting that warm feeling every time you visit or read the newsletter or participate in a program that you helped make all these things possible!”

For more information, visit AudubonCNC.org/Memberships. Audubon is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Face coverings are not required outdoors, but unvaccinated individuals are asked to wear face coverings when inside the Nature Center building.