Consider this: a doorway opens to a world where nature’s mysteries meet human curiosity. Welcome to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center. This isn’t just a building. It’s a portal to understanding the unique environment of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The Conservancy’s education program lives here. It’s dedicated to teaching people about the park’s built and natural environment. All ages and backgrounds are welcome.
Inside the 99 Plymouth building, the Environmental Education Center is now open. It serves as a year-round home for environmental education. Drop-in hours are tentatively scheduled.
Two signature exhibits anchor the space. A marine aquarium teems with life. A Discovery Station invites exploration. The center primarily targets elementary and middle school children. However, preschool-aged children will find things to do as well.
Let’s explore the interactive Discovery Station. This exhibit features a scaled map of Brooklyn Bridge Park. It measures ten by four feet. Thirteen hands-on drawers highlight different aspects of the park. They focus on sustainability, ecology, and the built environment.
Look for the “Then and Now” picture pull-outs. Twelve of these focus on past and present photos. They show certain locations in and around the park. The yellow wood around the base comes from salvaged Longleaf Yellow Pine. These materials were reclaimed from warehouses demolished during park construction. Education staff, Human Nature Design, and Moey Inc. collaborated on the exhibit’s design.
Don’t miss the Environmental Education Center’s estuarium. This 250-gallon tank houses East River fish and invertebrate species. These animals are caught during seining and fishing programs.
The estuarium mirrors the aesthetic of the East River. An attached interactive Tidal Pool offers a top-down view of smaller species. The center also houses native aquatic and terrestrial species. Turtles, amphibians, and invertebrates reside here. The center acquires and houses these animals. It does so in accordance with NYS DEC educational permits.
The 500-gallon display aquarium showcases fish from the Conservancy’s seining programs. A child-friendly touch tank allows gentle interaction. Starfish, crabs, and mussels await curious hands.
A nine-foot scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park anchors the interactive discovery station. It provides an in-depth look at the park’s ecology and history. It also highlights the park’s sustainable design. Child-friendly modules include puzzles and binoculars. These items showcase the birds, fish, insects, plant life, and geology of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center uses the park as a living laboratory. Interactive, hands-on lessons inspire stewardship and life-long learning. Inquiry-based, experiential learning are incorporated into STEAM lessons. You’ll find it also in public programs, online resources, and professional development opportunities.