Audubon Community Nature Center’s annual Christmas with the Critters is Wednesday, Dec. 30. The event includes live animals, making a holiday gift for the wild critters, a behind-the-scenes eagle tour, and more, all during the time slot of one’s choosing.

This holiday season Audubon Community Nature Center is celebrating Christmas with the Critters on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

Those interested can sign up for the 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon time slots for an open house hour that is all about the animals.

There will be live animals out and ready to visit, animal specimens and artifacts to explore, a craft station to make a holiday gift for the wild critters, a behind-the-scenes eagle tour and mini-presentations about the live animals every half hour.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 3 to 15, and free for children two and under. Those interested can also give a gift taken from and purchased for the Giving Tree, located in ACNC’s lobby. The gift items list is also online at DreamList.com/for/ACNCGivingTree. Gifts should be wrapped and presented to the receptionist, redeemable for admission. Cash and credit cards are accepted as well.

Audubon’s COVID-19 safety precautions require face coverings for all visitors ages 3 and up for indoor events, and reservations must be made ahead of time.

Space is limited and paid reservations are required by 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30.

To register, call the Nature Center during open hours at 569-2345 or go to AudubonCNC.org and click on “Register for a Program.” Choose “pay by mail” if bringing a gift as admission.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. The first floor of the Nature Center building, including the Blue Heron Gift Shop, live animals, and the 2020 Nature Photography Contest winning photographs, is open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Because not all of the building is accessible, admission is by donation only.

The public is welcome to visit the 600-acre nature preserve from dawn to dusk daily. While practicing safe social distancing measures, visit the grounds and six miles of trails, and view Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 569-2345, visit AudubonCNC.org, or find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook.