The New Jersey Audubon Society, which for 115 years has exhorted nature-seekers to interact with the physical world, is expanding its virtual horizons in a budgetary move officials say is born of Darwinian necessity.
"To survive, we need to adapt," said Eric Stiles, president of the nonprofit nature and conservation group, which has no connection with the National Audubon Society.
Effective Jan. 1, the organization will close two facilities - including the 135-acre Rancocas Nature Center in Mount Holly - and modify programming at nine others.
Audubon members and others will be able to connect with the society on an expanded Internet site and through social media. Some school trips to facilities such as the Rancocas center; Weis Ecology Center in Ringwood, Passaic County, also slated to close; and the Nature Center of Cape May will be replaced by Internet learning opportunities with staff, Audubon officials said.
"It doesn't make sense to keep the lights on for the two people a day who may wander in during the winter months," Stiles said. Except for a birdseed sale to take place Jan. 5 and 6, the Cape May facility will be closed to the public from Jan. 1 through April 15.
"We need to use our resources more wisely so that we can continue to perpetuate our mission," he said. "We're not reducing programming but reducing costs."
A children's fishing camp, family kayak tours, and other summer programs at the Nature Center will not be affected.
Guided hikes, tours, lectures, and special events at the world-famous Cape May Bird Observatory and some other sites will remain at the same level or expand, Stiles said. But the gift shops at the observatory's main location, in the Goshen section of Middle Township, and near Lake Lily in Cape May Point will have limited off-season hours.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/l...ty_is_cutting_back_at_several_facilities.html
"To survive, we need to adapt," said Eric Stiles, president of the nonprofit nature and conservation group, which has no connection with the National Audubon Society.
Effective Jan. 1, the organization will close two facilities - including the 135-acre Rancocas Nature Center in Mount Holly - and modify programming at nine others.
Audubon members and others will be able to connect with the society on an expanded Internet site and through social media. Some school trips to facilities such as the Rancocas center; Weis Ecology Center in Ringwood, Passaic County, also slated to close; and the Nature Center of Cape May will be replaced by Internet learning opportunities with staff, Audubon officials said.
"It doesn't make sense to keep the lights on for the two people a day who may wander in during the winter months," Stiles said. Except for a birdseed sale to take place Jan. 5 and 6, the Cape May facility will be closed to the public from Jan. 1 through April 15.
"We need to use our resources more wisely so that we can continue to perpetuate our mission," he said. "We're not reducing programming but reducing costs."
A children's fishing camp, family kayak tours, and other summer programs at the Nature Center will not be affected.
Guided hikes, tours, lectures, and special events at the world-famous Cape May Bird Observatory and some other sites will remain at the same level or expand, Stiles said. But the gift shops at the observatory's main location, in the Goshen section of Middle Township, and near Lake Lily in Cape May Point will have limited off-season hours.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/l...ty_is_cutting_back_at_several_facilities.html