Submitted Photo At Audubon Community Nature Center’s Little Explorers on Saturday morning, July 9, 3 to 8-year-olds and their adults learn colors and patterns in nature, like the spiral pattern on this snail shell.

Shapes, patterns and colors are found everywhere in nature.

These will be investigated by the 3 to 8-year olds and their favorite adults who come to Little Explorers at Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) on Saturday, July 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Join Audubon to search for and explore some of the vibrant colors of summer, keep an eye out for those animals who would rather camouflage, and see how many different shapes and patterns are hiding in the fields and forests. After a short indoor lesson, head outside to spot some of the colors and patterns found in nature. Learn more about the ways animals use these colors and patterns to survive, find mates, or attract pollinators. Take a look at the spirals on the bottom of a pinecone, search for spider webs, and find shapes and colors in the trees and flowers.

A snack is provided after the hike and a craft is offered if there is time. The fee for the program is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 to 8 and Nature Center members. Enrollment is limited to 15 children, 30 participants total.

Make reservations by Thursday, July 7, by calling 716-569-2345 during business hours or by going to AudubonCNC.org and clicking on “Register for a Program.”

Face coverings are optional while inside the Nature Center building based on local transmission rates. Audubon requests that you wear a face covering while indoors if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed to a person who has tested positive.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the 600-acre nature preserve and see Liberty, the non-releasable Bald Eagle, enjoy the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic area, natural play space and hike the six 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, the 2021 Nature Photography Contest winners, 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.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.