The Conservancy’s environmental education program now has a year-round home in the Main Street section of Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO. The new Environmental Education Center inside the 99 Plymouth building is now open for after school programs as well as public drop-in hours that are tentatively scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays 1–4 pm and Thursdays 3–5 pm.
Featuring 12-ft ceilings, and a glass wall overlooking the East River, the Center contains two signature exhibits: a marine aquarium and a Discovery Station. The 500-gallon display aquarium showcases fish collected from the East River during the Conservancy’s popular seining programs. The aquarium also contain a child-friendly touch tank where visitors can gently interact with starfish, crabs and mussels.
Featuring a 9’ scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, an interactive discovery station provides an in-depth look at the park’s ecology, history and sustainable design. Child-friendly modules including puzzles and binoculars showcase the birds, fish, insects, plant life and geology of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The center is mainly targeted to elementary and middle school aged children, however there are plenty of things to do for preschool aged children in there too. The team at the center is planning to add classes for the community, extended opening hours and birthday party packages. Stay tuned for more details!