The Lafayette Nature Center- A HOME for Nature Connection
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and the collaboration of many people in the community, Thorne has proudly opened the Lafayette Nature Center, a new hub for community and nature exploration.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF NATURE CENTER
While many nature centers are located in affluent communities, The Lafayette Nature Center is in the backyard of kids who have the least access to nature. Based in a culturally vibrant community less than a mile from Boulder County’s highest-poverty school, our center is a community hub for nature connection, ensuring NATURE FOR ALL.
The Lafayette Nature Center includes nature programming spaces, a world-class nature play area for children of all ages, community gathering spaces, and Thorne’s offices. Our center is designed to get kids outside to experience nature rather than having them come inside to learn about nature through exhibits. The Lafayette Nature Center isn’t just the building- it is the entire property! The focal point of our nature center is the $1 million plus nature playground and community gathering space adjacent to Coal Creek Open Space, an idyllic site for children to have hands-on nature exploration and joyful experiences in the natural world.
CLICK HERE to learn about Thorne Nature Preschool’s new space at the center.
VISIT THE CENTER
The Lafayette Nature Center is now open to the public and Thorne will be hosting a variety of engaging events and nature-based programs for the community. CLICK HERE to discover more about visiting our center and explore our calendar of community events and programs.
WHAT INSPIRED THE LAFAYETTE NATURE CENTER?
Thorne Nature Experience has been connecting youth to nature for more than six decades and was recently named the country’s top regional environmental education center. Each year, Thorne connects more than 10,000 youth to nature and provides more than $700,000 in scholarships to community youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
Though our programs are nature-based, many require an indoor space for program safety and childcare licensing. For years we’ve relied on rented space to fill this need, impacting program quality and reducing funds available for scholarships. We decided that it was time for these award-winning programs to have a HOME at the Lafayette Nature Center.
SUPPORT THE LAFAYETTE NATURE CENTER
We need your support to continue to establish the Lafayette Nature Center. Please contact us at development@nullthornenature.org to learn how you can make a special one-time gift or pledge payable over three years. You can also click the donate button below to donate online – please be sure to identify that your gift is restricted for the Lafayette Nature Center capital campaign.
DESIGN, BUILD, & FINANCE PARTNERS
“Thorne programming has inspired me to pursue a career in the outdoors and had a profound impact on my entire family’s interest in nature. I am excited that the Lafayette Nature Center will help to provide a permanent home for Thorne’s Lafayette programs so that ALL youth in my community can continue to connect with nature and receive the many benefits provided by spending time outdoors.”
– Leidy Pineda Flores, NKJN Youth Leader