Anita Purves Nature Center - OLD
The Anita Purves Nature Center, at the north end of Urbana’s Crystal Lake Park opened in 1979 and underwent an expansion in 2005. Today, we welcome more than 50,000 visitors a year.
We offer environmental programs on site and at other locations and staff members can answer questions during open hours. Join us in every season to experience something new.
The Anita Purves Nature Center has classrooms for programs that are also rentable for public and private events. Find out more about renting this facility.
Don’t forget, before ending your visit, be sure to stop in the Audubon Nature Shop, where you can find unique nature-related gifts. Proceeds from this volunteer-run operation fund local conservation and environmental education efforts.
The Friendship Grove Nature Playscape is located right outside the nature center and is open daily from sunrise to sunset!
1505 N. Broadway Urbana, IL 61801 | Gold/Ruby Bus Route
HOURS
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm | Saturday 9am-4pm
FIELD STATION
At the Field Station, visitors are encouraged to step into the world of the naturalist where you may observe live animals, solve problems, and learn about nature that is as close as your backyard. A field station activity guide can enhance your experience when you visit.
WILDLIFE OBSERVATION ROOM
The Wildlife Observation Room is a quiet space for viewing wild life, contemplation, or reading. An outdoor parabolic sounds system brings the sounds of the woods indoors.
EDUCATOR RESOURCEs
The Educator Resource Room houses a reference library, environmental education resources, and a variety of natural history loan materials. Loan boxes include curriculum guides (K-8th), natural objects, pictures, reference books, equipment and activities. Nature Discovery packs are ideal for exploring local parks and natural areas and include magnifiers, binoculars, and field guides. IDNR loan kits are also available. To learn more about how to rent loan items and for a complete list of included topics click here.
AUDUBON GIFT SHOP
Don’t forget, before ending your visit, be sure to stop in the Audubon Nature Shop, where you can find unique nature-related gifts. Proceeds from this volunteer-run operation fund local conservation and environmental education efforts.
BOARDWALK
A boardwalk trail allows you to explore Busey Woods during wet periods. Interpretive exhibits invite you to explore Busey Woods throughout the seasons. A self-guided booklet is available at the trailhead to assist as you hike.
In 2011 grant funding helped to reconstruct and replant the path leading from the nature center to Busey Woods. The Busey Woods Gateway Trail offers an accessible link between park and woods and helps visitors transition from open to wooded space. Indoor and outdoor interpretive elements explore the unique habitat Busey Woods and the Saline Creek/Crystal Lake provide to wildlife, specifically birds. Explore the wildlife habitat garden as you approach Busey Woods, or observe the outdoor feeding areas from inside the inside the Wildlife Observation Room.
HABITAT GARDENS
The landscaped area around the center are Habitat Gardens. They demonstrate a number of ways to attract wildlife such as butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds. The area outside the Wildlife Observation Room is planted with native Illinois species and includes wildlife feeding stations and a water feature.
ADOPT AN EDUCATION ANIMAL
A great gift for yourself or a family member, you can support the education animals that live at the nature center and provide for their food and medical care. See our animal adoption brochure here.
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