Audubon Community Nature Center recognizes Juneteenth, the observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day, with free admission to the Nature Center building on Monday, June 19.

In honor of Juneteenth, the country’s newest nationally recognized holiday, Audubon Community Nature Center offers free building admission to all visitors on Monday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Originating in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, the observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day is a long-standing tradition. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. Jamestown and Warren were both well-known stops on the Underground Railroad that assisted many enslaved individuals on their way to freedom.

Other holidays that Audubon recognizes with free admission are Memorial Day, Indigenous People’s Day (October 11), and Veterans Day (November 11).

Audubon’s three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2022 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. 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, check in on the live birds of prey, view the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic area, natural play space and hike the more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

Visitors are welcome to the nature center building 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.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Through July 2, entries to the 2023 Nature Photography Contest and votes for the Community Choice winners can be made at GoGoPhotoContest.com/ACNCPhotoContest2023.