NJ Audubon's Nature Center of Cape May

NJ Audubon's Nature Center of Cape May The Nature Center of Cape May offers marine science, natural history and environmental education.
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What treasures does the sea leave behind at the water’s edge? Join us for an hour of "beach combing the cove" tomorrow m...
06/02/2026

What treasures does the sea leave behind at the water’s edge? Join us for an hour of "beach combing the cove" tomorrow morning to find out!

Each week, starting tomorrow, June 3rd, we will explore one of the area’s ever-changing coastal habitats - the beach, ocean, and dunes of Cape May’s “The Cove” beach. We’ll scour the shallows, comb the shoreline, and walk along the dunes in search of hidden treasures and signs of wildlife.

When and Where:
📍Cove Beach, Cape May, NJ
🗓️ Every Wednesday, June-August
🕰️ 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Pre-registration is required. More info can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-jersey-audubon-nature-center-of-cape-may-28857825575

Channel your inner horseshoe crab! What better creature to take life advice from than this keystone species?Here's some ...
06/01/2026

Channel your inner horseshoe crab! What better creature to take life advice from than this keystone species?

Here's some life lessons you could learn from a horseshoe crab:

- It's ok to be misunderstood! Horseshoe crabs are often deeply misunderstood. Many people are afraid of horseshoe crabs, despite them being completely harmless!

- Always support those around you. Horseshoe crabs are a vital component of our coastal ecosystems, supporting countless migratory bird species, sea turtles, and even humans!

- Accept help when you need it! Accepting help from others is not a bad thing! Horseshoe crabs depend on helpful humans who flip them over when they are stranded on their backs.

Horseshoe crab spawning (or mating) season is in full swing! Be sure to lend a helping hand to any horseshoe crabs you see stranded or stuck on their backs. Plus, make sure to give our migrating shorebirds some extra space as they fuel up on our shoreline!

🌅What inspires you about horseshoe crabs?

Summer programs are back at the Nature Center of Cape May! If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on adventure this summer, ...
05/28/2026

Summer programs are back at the Nature Center of Cape May! If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on adventure this summer, come embark on a Habor Safari!

Every Tuesday and Thursday, join Nature Center of Cape May naturalists to discover an incredible diversity of marine life. Unveil the flora and fauna lurking within the Cape May Harbor as you help pull a twenty-foot seine net through the shallows of the harbor. You’ll learn about the ecology of our coastal waters, the natural history of the land, and examine the fascinating & ancient Horseshoe Crab. Perfect for families!

Where and When:

📍Nature Center of Cape May
🗓️ Tuesdays and Thursdays
🕰️ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Program dates begin next week and extend through August. Pre-registration is required. Click the link below to sign up and explore our summer programs!

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-jersey-audubon-nature-center-of-cape-may-28857825575

What’s the best way to age a Horseshoe Crab? Take a look at who’s hitchhiking!It’s spawning season along the Delaware Ba...
05/23/2026

What’s the best way to age a Horseshoe Crab? Take a look at who’s hitchhiking!

It’s spawning season along the Delaware Bayshore, with hundreds of thousands of Horseshoe Crabs returning to our shores.

For the first 10 years of their lives, Horseshoe Crabs shed, or molt, the outer layer of their shell as they grow. Once they reach maturity, they no longer molt!

Young Horseshoe Crabs typically have a smoother shell with minimal scuffs or scratches, while older individuals may show discoloration and wear and tear.
In addition to barnacles, slipper snails attach themselves to a Horseshoe Crab’s shell, snagging a free ride to nutrient-rich waters. While these animals cause no harm, the more hitchhikers attached, the older a Horseshoe Crab may be. Older female slipper snails can be identified by their dull-colored shells, often accompanied by smaller males riding on their backs, as shown on these individuals.

To learn more about marine life, stop by the Nature Center of Cape May, now open daily from 10am-4pm! Please note: We will be closed on Memorial Day.

SAVE THE DATE! Our annual fundraiser, Catch of Cape May will be on July 11th from 4-9pm at what will be the newly renova...
05/20/2026

SAVE THE DATE! Our annual fundraiser, Catch of Cape May will be on July 11th from 4-9pm at what will be the newly renovated Harborview Park! More details coming very soon.

Some people say I love you in different ways. Sometimes they ask if you want to go buy plants! Stop by the Nature Center...
05/15/2026

Some people say I love you in different ways. Sometimes they ask if you want to go buy plants! Stop by the Nature Center of Cape May for “Buy One, Get One” all native plants! We have a limited stock, so make sure you shop before they’re gone! Store open everyday 10am-4pm.

🌱 While supplies last. Buy one get one of equal or lesser value.

Today is the 43rd Annual World Series of Birding! Bird enthusiasts are spending the day counting as many bird species as...
05/09/2026

Today is the 43rd Annual World Series of Birding! Bird enthusiasts are spending the day counting as many bird species as they can find in New Jersey at the height of spring migration.

Want to get in on the fun? Donate and support your local team!

The World Series of Birding is NJ Audubon’s most important fundraiser of the year. Your donations fund our efforts to create wildlife habitat, monitor migration, educate children and adults, and advocate for preserving nature—all with the ultimate goal of saving birds and other wildlife. More info on how to donate can be found here: https://give.njaudubon.org/site/SPageServer;jsessionid=00000000.app30138a?pagename=WSB_Donation_Type&NONCE_TOKEN=2BF5B550C8921E038EB5696576F7FC33

American Bittern photo by Martina Nordstrand

The World Series of Birding is less than 48 hours away. With the big day just around the corner, we wanted to highlight ...
05/07/2026

The World Series of Birding is less than 48 hours away. With the big day just around the corner, we wanted to highlight the Nature Center’s ambassador team: Bittern Brigade!

Team captain and NCCM program director, Kristal Stahler, will be joined by NCCM past and present seasonal staff Chloe Selover, Aislinn Shilcusky, and Corinna La Puma for a day of birding in South Jersey.

Our team believes that birding is for everybody. Donations to the Bittern Brigade will help support NCCM’s youth and family programs to provide nature-based education to people of all ages! With your help, we hope to continue NJ Audubon’s core mission: To inspire and empower people to care for nature throughout NJ and beyond.

Please consider donating to our team! More information can be found here: https://give.njaudubon.org/site/TR/WSB2026/General?pg=team&team_id=2270&fr_id=1103

Thank you to Coastline Reality for sponsoring our team!

Did you miss yesterday’s plant sale? Don’t panic! We have plenty of plants left for anyone who missed the big day! Stop ...
05/03/2026

Did you miss yesterday’s plant sale? Don’t panic! We have plenty of plants left for anyone who missed the big day! Stop in any day 10am-4pm to browse and purchase our remaining stock! Keep reading for the list of remaining plant species.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by yesterday and made this event a success! A big shout out goes to our amazing volunteers who helped with the event yesterday and helped label, organize, & water our plants throughout this past week! We couldn’t do what we do without you!

Remaing plants:
Scientific Name - Common Name
Anemone virginiana -Tall Anemone
Aquilegia canadensis - Eastern Columbine
Asclepias incarnata - Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca - Common Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Milkweed
Baccharis halimifolia - Groundsel Bush
Asarum canadense - Wild Ginger
Amsonia tabernaemontana - Eastern Bluestar
Baptisia tinctoria - Yellow Wild Indigo
Campsis radicans - Trumpet Vine
Ceanothus americanus - New Jersey Tea
Cephalanthus occidentalis - Common Buttonbush
Corylus americana - American Hazelnut
Diospyros virginiana - Persimmon
Eutrochium fistulosum - Joe-pye W**d
Fern-Dennstaedtia punctiloba - Eastern Hay Scented Fern
Fern-Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas Fern
Helianthus angustifolius - Narrowleaf Sunflower
Heuchera americana - Coral Bells
Ilex verticillata - Winterberry Holly
Iris versicolor - Blue Flag Iris
Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal Flower
Monarda didyma - Scarlet Bee Balm
Monarda fistulosa - Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm)
Myrica Pensylvanica - Northern Bayberry
Polemonium reptans - Jacob's Latter
Pycnanthemum muticum - Clustered Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium - Narrowleaf Mountain Mint
Solidago flexicaulis - Zigzag goldenrod
Solidago sempervirens - Seaside goldenrod
Tiarella cordifolia - Heartleaf floamflower
Vernonia noveboracensis - New York Ironweed

Address

1600 Delaware Avenue
Cape May, NJ
08204

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+16094273045

Website

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