Creatures like the Black Bear pictured greet visitors and share stories along the trails at Audubon Community Nature Center’s Enchanted Forest. From firefly trail guides to popcorn servers, Audubon needs volunteers to make this event possible.

Each year, dozens of volunteers share their time and talents so hundreds of children and adults can experience Audubon Community Nature Center’s (ACNC) magical, non-scary Enchanted Forest.

Audubon Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Tefft is looking for volunteers for Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4.

Some volunteers act as guides through a luminary-lit enchanted trail where children and adults meet animals that speak human language and communicate with visitors. Others are greeters or actors’ assistants or serve popcorn and cider to guests around the campfire that follows, while still others monitor crafts. And clean-up helpers are always needed.

For more information, email STefft@AudubonCNC.org or call 716-569-2345.

Sponsors are also welcome by contacting Jessica Piskor at JPiskor@AudubonCNC.org or 716-569-2345 to learn more. Reservations for Enchanted Forest can be made by calling the Audubon during business hours or going online to AudubonCNC.org/events.

Additional support for Audubon Community Nature Center is provided by 2025 community partners that include Bruce and Juline Battler, Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Donna and Mark Hampton, Holmberg Foundation, Hultquist Foundation, Jessie Smith Darrah Fund, Kinetic Internet Service Provider, The Lenna Foundation, The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Sue and Bill Chandler, Hal and Mary Conarro, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Bob and Kathy Frucella, Kravitz Tree Service, Thomas Kuntz and Meredith Kuntz, Doug and Lamae McCullor, National Fuel Gas Company, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Weinberg Financial Group, Curt and Susie Westrom, Whirley-DrinkWorks!, and Jeanne Wiebenga and Jane Stirniman.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, view the native tree arboretum and natural play space, and hike over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.