Category: Things to do with kids: Animals & Nature

Located five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo &Aquarium is a 77-acre naturalistic habitat facility that is home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of diverse species. The Zoostrives to be a leader and significant contributor to the conservation ofendangered and threatened species while providing an enjoyable familyexperience that fosters understanding, respect and appreciation forwildlife. The Zoo offers a variety of unique educational programs with astrong emphasis on conservation and conducts scientific research whichsupports and enhances the quality of animal and plant life, visitorexperiences, education and conservation. It is the Zoo’s goal to berecognized for excellence in its collection, programs and exhibitry and tobe acknowledged as a culturally significant facility.

Contact number: (412) 665-3640

Location: One Wild Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15206-1178

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You and your children can get back to nature, and learn something along the way. On this Reserve there are more than five miles of trails in 134 acres of sanctuary, filled with native plants, animals, and birds.The Audubon Center for Native Plants is here, as well as programs, classrooms, a library, and an auditorium. It’s become a community center that focuses on the use and preservation of native plants. It’s a wonderful place to celebrate and explore the botanical world, at any age.

Contact number: (412) 963-6100

Location: 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

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Phipps Conservatory prides itself on being a leader in horticultural education, and offers classes for children and adults on native plants and how to cultivate orchids, among others. They are appropriate for all levels of expertise.

Contact number: (412) 622-6914

Location: 1 Schneley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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The National Aviary offers nearly twenty educational forums for both children and adults, including the programs “Beginning Bird Watching,” “Junior Naturalist,” and the award-winning “Little Bird Festivals” for pre-schoolers. Recently, Adult Education programs have begun, and have featured talks on “Parrots” and “Birds of the Bible.”In addition to its educational programs, the National Aviary is actively involved in conservation programs, such as the Species Survival Plan. The National Aviary participates in the preservation of many species of birds, including Bali Mynahs, Pink Pigeons, and Red Crowned Cranes. Scientific research at the National Aviary includes “footedness” studies and Parrot Neurology, Enzymatic aging of birds, andbreeding and rearing strategies for endangered species.

Contact number: (412) 323-7235

Location: Allegheny Commons West, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248

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