Located on Woodside Lane in Westport, Earthplace is a 62 acre haven for those who aren`t afraid to get their hands dirty! Founded in 1958, Earthplace is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to educate the community about nature and how to take action in preserving and protecting our environment. There are many entertaining AND educational things to do at Earthplace. These include adventurous `treasure hunts` on its 6 main trails through the woods, a visit to the Bird & Butterfly Garden or Animal Hall, as well as many more thrills to seek both indoors and outdoors. With daily events that can range from an African Violet Show to the Earth Day Festival, you and your children are guaranteed an eye-opening experience. Offering kid-friendly programs and workshops like Eagle Eyes: Nature Detective, Earthplace Explorers Club, Tots Mommy & Me, and Critters & Crafts, children are encouraged to explore the environment and enjoy each new discovery. Earthplace reaches out to adults through programs including Animal Care Volunteer Workshops and Stream Exploration & Monitoring as well as ongoing volunteer opportunities. Both you and your children together can learn something new about nature at Earthplace. Earthplace also offers a Preschool for 3-4 year olds, School Outreach Programs, as well as children`s birthday parties. Hours: Grounds open daily 7AM-dusk, Building Open Mon.-Sat. 9AM-5PM, Sunday 1-4PM, Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane, P.O. Box 165, Westport, Ct. For more information call 203.227.7253 or visit www.earthplace.org 

The Greenburgh Nature Center is a unique oasis of greenery and tranquility -- just off Central Avenue in Scarsdale. Our mission is four-fold -- Conservation, Education, Research and Cultural Enrichment. We are pledged to conserve the natural and historic character of our 33 acre property and local wildlife. We provide exciting and informative nature and environmental programs and exhibits for people of all ages and backgrounds. We encourage natural history research by our staff, area students, and scientists. And, we promote cultural enrichment through the presentation of nature-related art, music, craft, and entertainment events. 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Call 914.723.3470 or visit the  Greenburgh Nature Center 

Walk or drive through 168 acres featuring landscaped and carefully-designed gardens of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Garden also include major contemporary sculptures. Grounds open year-round M, T, W, Th, F, Sat, Sun, 7 am to 7 pm. Self-guided tour, free. Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. For more information, call 914.253.2001.   

A 234-acre property with a 30 acre arboretum. Delightful walking trails and summer concerts. For a current schedule of events, call 914.864.7260. Route 35, Somers. Monday through Sunday, year-round, from 8 am to 4 pm.  www.westchestergov.com/parks.

Muscoot is a 777 acre early 1900`s interpretive farm that depicts life as it would have been lived on a country gentleman`s farm circa 1880-1950. Visitors can view a variety of farm animals, tour historic farm buildings, see a collection of historic agriculture equipment and tools, walk to the ice pond, and hike over 7 miles of woodland trails. Educational programs and workshops are offered on weekends. Hayrides are offered on Sundays from May through October. School group programs are available by appointment, Wednesday through Friday. Refreshment stand open in season. Admission and parking are free. Rte 100, Somers, NY 10570. 914.864.7282.   

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a beautiful non-profit farm, educational center and restaurant in the heart of Westchester County. Our mission is to demonstrate, teach and promote sustainable, community-based food production. Open to visitors of all ages, we offer a unique experience: a chance to learn about farming firsthand on a real working farm, the only farm open to the public so close to New York City. Stone Barns Center is a four-season operation, producing food even in deep winter in the minimally heated greenhouse. Visitors are welcome year-round from 10 am-5 pm, Wednesday-Sunday. Check our website for updated event and program schedules, or just drop by to walk around and see the animals, fields, and greenhouse. Please call ahead to schedule class trips and other group visits. Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591. For more information, call 914.366.6200 x112, or visit www.stonebarnscenter.org.  

Teatown Lake Reservation is a nonprofit, environmental organization with a nature education center and 834-acre preserve located in the Towns of Yorktown, Cortlandt and New Castle. Teatown`s mission is to conserve open space and to educate and involve the regional community in order to sustain the diversity of wildlife, plants and habitats for future generations. Teatown`s preserve includes the 33-acre Teatown Lake; 15 miles of trails; habitats including streams, a scenic gorge, hardwood swamps, mixed forests, meadows, hemlock and laurel groves; numerous live animals and exhibits in our living museum/nature center, including nine birds of prey; and a two-acre wildflower preserve (Wildflower Island) with some 230 species of native and endangered wildflowers. 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining. 914-762-2912. For more information on Teatown, visit www.teatown.org

Westchester`s Largest reservation at 4,700 acres! Incredible walking trails for all ages and ability levels. Picnic and camping spots available. Classes for adults and children run weekly. For more information or for class schedules, call 914.864.7322 or visit www.westchestergov.com/parks

Westmoreland Sanctuary was established in 1957 as a not for profit organization. A reconstructed 200 year old building serves as a museum and nature center, surrounded by unspoiled acres with over 7 miles of wonderful hiking trails leading visitors past rocky cliffs and 3 lakes contained within our boundaries. The museum holds exhibits featuring local flora and fauna and boasts a large bird observation window. Nearby the museum are an outdoor lecture area, a center for maple sugaring, a butterfly garden, and a tracking pit. The Sanctuary offers several programs to the public, such as bird and nature walks, childrens` workshops, films, lectures, and demonstrations (including topics such as orienteering, beekeeping, maple sugaring, hawk identification, woodcock spies, blacksmithing, canoeing, field trips, etc.). The Museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Bedford Corners, NY 10549. Info: 914.666.8448 or go to www.westmorelandsanctuary.org.