Nature Interpretation Centre, Kalimpong, West Bengal India

The Nature Interpretation Centre, opened in 2000, offers classroom facilities for school groups as well as high quality displays interpreting the wealth of plants and wildlife found in the park.

Within the centre there are two CCTV camera links, one to a fixed camera in a nest box and the other, user controlled with a joystick, to a camera on a pole in the lake showing the unusual and changing perspective of the park. The Nature Interpretive Centre is located on the north shore of Cootes Paradise in the Arboretum just off Old Guelph Road in Hamilton (formerly Dundas). The Nature Interpretive Centre opened in 1968 as a Centennial Project supported by the Junior League. Members of the Junior League and the RBG Auxiliary quickly began assisting with interpretive programs and nature exhibits at the centre. Today the Nature Interpretive Centre has become the focal point for much of the activity in the Arboretum including many seasonal events.

Serving as the north shore trailhead for 12 kilometres of several footpaths along the valleys and shores of Cootes Paradise, the Nature Interpretive Centre features a display room showcasing Project Paradise — the Gardens’ innovative marsh restoration venture for Cootes Paradise and lower Grindstone Creek. Wetland plant and wildlife displays, a hands-on activity centre and the Project Paradise Update Board invite visitors to learn about life in Cootes Paradise before heading out to explore the biodiversity of this wetland.

It is the Nature Interpretive Centre’s mission to educate visitors of all ages about nature and environmental stewardship with the hope of inspiring a sense of appreciation and understanding about the value of nature. An outdoor amphitheatre and three classrooms host a variety of nature-related activities, day camps and educational programs for school groups and special interest groups such as Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and various youth groups.