Worcester Natural History Society

THE ECOTARIUM'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE A PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE AMONG ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, AND ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING. AS NEW ENGLAND'S LEADING SCIENCE AND NATURE CENTER, OUR VISION IS TO BE AN INNOVATIVE LEADER IN EXPERIENTIAL, COMMUNITY-CENTERED, SCIENCE LEARNING. THE ECOTARIUM IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATIVE, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND SCHOOL GROUPS, AND FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL GUEST EXPERIENCE.

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS: VISITS TO THE ECOTARIUM ARE EDUCATIONAL AND FUN. IN 2022, 112,521 VISITORS EXPLORED 45 ACRES OF OUTDOOR EXHIBITS, NATURE EXPLORE PLAYGROUND, AND WILDLIFE ZOOLOGICAL PARK HABITATS; 34,178 GUESTS RODE THE OPEN-AIR REPLICA 1863 C.P. HUNTINGTON STEAM LOCOMOTIVE. INSIDE THE MUSEUM, GUESTS ENJOYED THREE LEVELS OF EXHIBITS, INCLUDING MOUNT WASHINGTON, CITYSCIENCE, AFRICAN COMMUNITIES, ANIMALS AND TRAVELING EXHIBITS. 8,825 GUESTS PARTICIPATED IN FREE, DAILY, EDUCATOR-LED, MUSEUM EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING, SCIENCE DISCOVERY, EARLY LEARNING, ANIMAL DISCOVERY, AFTERNOON ASTRONOMY, AND COLLECTION CONNECTION.

WILDLIFE: THE ECOTARIUM'S OUTDOOR ZOOLOGICAL PARK IS HOME TO NATIVE, NON-RELEASABLE, NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE, MOST OF WHICH COULD NOT SURVIVE IN THE WILD DUE TO INJURY, ILLNESS, IMPRINTING, ORPHAN STATUS, OR CAPTIVE BIRTH. INSIDE THE MUSEUM, AMBASSADOR ANIMALS REPRESENT NEW ENGLAND AND EXOTIC SPECIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. ZOO-TO-YOU PROGRAMS FACILITATED BY ZOOLOGICAL AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS AIM TO NURTURE A GREATER CONNECTION TO AND UNDERSTANDING OF SPECIES LOCATED IN NEW ENGLAND WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ENCOUNTERS WITH RESIDENT ANIMALS. THE ECOTARIUM DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN ANIMAL WELFARE, ENRICHMENT, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. REGULAR ANIMAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDES BOTH INFORMAL AND FORMAL, VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON, ZOO-THEMED CAMP PROGRAMMING, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: IN 2022 THE ECOTARIUM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INSIDE THE MUSEUM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES PROVIDED IN-PERSON EDUCATION AT THE MUSEUM FOR 5,334 YOUTH AND ADULTS, AS WELL AS, TRAVELING PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS FOR 3,320 YOUTH AND ADULTS. THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON, EDUCATOR-LED PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH MASSACHUSETTS CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS FOR PRE-K TO 12, AS WELL AS HOSTED BIRTHDAY PARTIES WITH FUN, EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS. SINCE 1885, THE ECOTARIUM HAS OFFERED SEASONAL SCIENCE AND NATURE DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN DURING VACATIONS AND SUMMER. IN 2022, CAMP PROGRAMS SERVED 679 CAMPERS DURING VACATIONS AND SUMMER CAMPS. IN 2022 THE ALDEN DIGITAL PLANETARIUM'S 1.6 MILLION RENOVATION AND UPGRADE WAS COMPLETED AND REOPENED IN MAY. 13,950 PEOPLE ENJOYED PLANETARIUM SHOWS.

GUEST SERVICES: THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS A VARIETY OF VISITOR SERVICES, INCLUDING, SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, HOSTED SPECIAL YEAR-ROUND, SEASONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, PURCHASES FROM OUR MUSEUM SHOP, SEASONAL FOOD SERVICE AND FOOD VENDING MACHINES.