Environmental Education Main Goal at Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH - Spring is slowly showing up and more and more people are heading outside to get in touch with nature. So, we decided to check out Hartley Nature Center to see how it's shaping up this season.

One of Duluth's most visited nature areas started off as just a group of people with a passion to educate.

"They wanted a space in Duluth that would provide environmental education, teaching people about nature and they wanted to help preserve nature in Hartley Park," said Hartley Nature Center Executive Director Tom O'Rourke. 

Since 1987 Hartley Nature Center has taught youth all about the outdoors and how to maintain it.

"We think these are fundamental experiences for kids. Being outdoors, connecting with the outdoors, learning about nature," said O'Rourke.

More than 14,000 students visit the center every school year.

"You know for them going into Hartley really is a grand adventure and it's this wild space in the midst of the city," said O'Rourke.

Hartley is even starting up its very first preschool program this fall.

"It's developmentally appropriate for kids. They're naturally curious, they love being outside, so it sort of hits them right where they're at," explained O'Rourke.

As a year-round center there are activities for visitors to do every season throughout the 660 acres of Hartley Park, like snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter, to hiking and biking in the summer.

"In the nature center itself, we do programs for adults, often on Wednesdays, in partnership with the Izaak Walton League and kids can sign up for camps," added O'Rourke.

Hartley Park is owned by the city, but staff and volunteers at the nature center help preserve it.

"Last year we helped coordinate about 3,000 hours of volunteer service on behalf of invasive removal and restoration and trial improvements," said O'Rourke.

Almost 30 years later environmental education is still the driving force behind the non-profit.

"If you don't have those experiences when you're a kid, you're not gonna grow up wanting to do these life–long activities or having these life–long conservation values," explained O'Rourke.

You can register your child for the preschool program on their website.

Right now, 45 students are signed up to start in the fall.