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Environmental Discovery Center

Environmental Discovery Center - tidepool tank

Fall/Winter 2024 Hours: Public Open Hours are Thursday - Friday from 1 - 4:30 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The current exhibit is "Habitat and Home."

The Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional Park is a natural history center featuring hands-on displays and exhibits designed primarily for children in elementary school.

At the Environmental Discovery Center, kids can:

  • Learn about Sonoma County's ecosystems through exhibits that invite them to touch, climb, crawl, and imagine
  • Explore a tide pool with live sea creatures, see live fish, and get up close to taxidermy wildlife like mountain lions and coyote
  • Conduct earth science experiments and learn to look at surroundings in new ways
  • Hike with a naturalist and learn about local plants and animals

The Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake is staffed by naturalists happy to answer questions and help you enjoy your visit. Admission is free.

Exhibits and Sea Stars

The EDC features three rotating exhibits – Habitat & Home, Only Rain Down the Drain, and Fun in the Sun. All three focus on environmental stewardship and invite children to touch, climb, and play while they learn. Exhibits are designed by professional educators and reinforce California's life sciences content standards. The EDC also features a tide pool with live, touchable sea stars as well as displays of live fish and taxidermied wildlife.   

Science Saturdays

Naturalists host “Science Saturday” experiments on the second Saturday of each month. These are tangible, fun science experiments that explore the world around us.

Partners

The Environmental Discovery Center was established in partnership with the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation and Sonoma Water.

Upcoming events at the EDC

1
DECEMBER 2024

Leave No Trace Pop-Up at the EDC

Environmental Discovery Center
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
7
DECEMBER 2024

Little Parkies: Storytime

Environmental Discovery Center
9:30 am - 11:00 am
14
DECEMBER 2024

Science Saturdays: Snow Science 1-2pm

Environmental Discovery Center
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
14
DECEMBER 2024

Science Saturdays: Snow Science 11am-12pm

Environmental Discovery Center
11:00 am - 12:00 pm