Morning or afternoon, experience Christmas With the Critters at Audubon Community Nature Center on Monday, Dec. 29. Be captivated by the live animal program, including an appearance by Lincoln the box turtle, then explore artifacts, do a craft, make a gift for the wild animals, and more.

JAMESTOWN — You have two opportunities on Monday, Dec. 29 to get acquainted with Audubon Community Nature Center’s (ACNC) Animal Ambassadors.

Come to Christmas With the Critters in the morning, 10 to 11:30 a.m., or afternoon, 12:30 to 2 p.m. Participate in a live animal program, explore animal artifacts, be creative at the craft station, make a gift for the wild animals, and more.

ACNC is home to many live animals including a pair of hellbenders, a frog, and several species of turtles and snakes. Three birds of prey also call ACNC home: Cricket the American Kestrel, and Soren and Bridgette the Red-tailed Hawks. These animals are an essential part of the education team as they teach visitors about wildlife in our area and how they move, grow, and survive.

Admission for either time is $8 for adults, $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 3 to 15, and free for children two and under.

Reservations are recommended. To register for the morning or afternoon, call the Nature Center at (716) 569-2345 or go to AudubonCNC.org/Events. Walk-ins are welcome only if space is available.

The Nature Center building will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It will also be closed Jan. 5 to 16 for annual planning.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, enjoy the natural play space, and hike, snowshoe or cross country ski more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT and Arts Access cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free Sundays for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook or Instagram, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.