Jamestown Audubon Nature Center is the premier nature sanctuary in the region. Its 600 acres encompass several excellent ponds, swamps and marshes, along with forestlands and fields, threaded with five miles of trails for foot access to all of the ecotypes present. A full service headquarters, called the Roger Tory Peterson Nature Interpretive Building (not to be confused with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown) houses a nature store, restrooms, natural history display areas including a 189 species mounted bird collection, classrooms, and a “skyroom” sanctuary overlook. Along the trails there are four observation towers/photography blinds for observation of the wetlands.

Natural History Interest

High quality wetlands are the main attraction of the Jamestown Audubon Nature Center. The former beaver ponds, with water levels now controlled by a system of dikes and spillways, teem with life. Dragonflies and damselflies, frogs, turtles, snakes, muskrats, and waterfowl are abundant. The trails are well marked and include well-maintained boardwalks over wet areas to provide the visitor with an understanding of how forest succession works to change ponds to forests over time.

Wildflowers abound on the property, and include False Hellebore, a large variety of violets, Goldthread, Red Trillium, White Trillium, Star Flower, Canada Mayflower, and Wintergreen. Over 215 species of wildflowers have been identified in all. The understory of the wetland areas and rich woods includes Buttonbush and Spicebush. Trees include Red Maple, Northern Red Oak, Eastern Hemlock, Black Cherry, and American Beech. A huge open-growing Sugar Maple on a knoll near the main building greets the visitor to the Center.

Over 265 species of birds have been recorded at the site. Among the more noteworthy are Marbled Godwit and Hudsonian Godwit. More recent visitors include American Avocet, European Wigeon, White-fronted Goose, Black Tern, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Stilt Sandpiper. The Center maintains a nest box trail for Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. The Center is a good location to find Bald Eagles and, from May to September, Ospreys.

The sanctuary also maintains an arboretum with 65 labeled specimens of native trees, a butterfly garden with examples of larval and adult food plants, and an herb garden featuring plants for food and traditional medicine.

Other Notes

The Jamestown Audubon Society’s mission is to provide educational opportunities for the appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the natural world and to encourage and practice environmental stewardship. The Nature Center’s education programs reach thousands of area children each year with programs in schools and on-site. Its grounds are open year-round from dawn to dusk. A full slate of programs and public events for children, adults and families is offered throughout the year. The main building features a discovery room with live animals and hands-on exhibits, and an auditorium with multimedia capability. The building is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. It is closed most holidays. Near the building is a 0.5 mile paved trail for wheelchair and stroller access to several interesting wetland areas. For more information contact Jamestown Audubon Nature Center at 1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown, NY 14701; Tel: 569–2345; Web Site: www.jasny.org.

How to Get There

The Jamestown Audubon Nature Center is on Riverside Road, 0.5 mile east of US 62.

From the north:Take NY 60 south out of Jamestown to US 62. There is a traffic light here. Turn right (south) onto US 62 and proceed approximately 3.0 miles to Riverside Rd. Turn left onto Riverside Rd and proceed approximately 0.5 mile to the entrance to the center on your left.

From the south:Take US 62 north out of Warren, PA. Continue on US 62 approximately 1.5 miles north of the state line to Riverside Rd. Turn right onto Riverside Rd and proceed approximately 0.5 mile to the entrance to the center on your left.

From exit 14 (Kennedy and Warren, PA) off I-86: Take US 62 south through Frewsburg and follow US 62 to the intersection of US 62 and NY 60. There is a traffic light here. Turn left (south) to continue on US 62. Proceed on US 62 approximately 3.0 miles to Riverside Rd. Turn left onto Riverside Rd and proceed approximately 0.5 mile to the entrance to the center on your left.