Submitted Photo The public can visit with and learn about Audubon Community Nature Center’s animal ambassadors at Christmas with the Critters on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Audubon Nature Educator Emma Roth, at right, describes Soren, as Sarah Hatfield, education coordinator, is about to give the Red-tailed Hawk a treat.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is having a holiday open house that is all about the animals, celebrating Christmas with the Critters on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

The event is held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m. Visit with ACNC’s reptiles, amphibians, and birds for the holidays. Attend 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 several species of turtles, snakes, and frogs. Two birds of prey also call ACNC home: Cricket the American Kestrel, and Soren the Red-tailed Hawk. These animals are a critical part of the education team as they teach visitors about wildlife in our area and how they move, grow, and survive.

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

A gift from the Giving Tree in the Nature Center lobby or on Dreamlist.com/for/AnimalCare can serve as the admission fee; one admission per $6/$8 gift.

Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are appreciated. To register for either the morning or afternoon, call the Nature Center at 716-569-2345 during open hours or go to AudubonCNC.org and click through “Programs and Events.”

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

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, 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 cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

The building will be closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org, where you will find the most up-to-date COVID-19 Notice at the top of the page.