Visit the EcoZone Museum!

Step into the EcoZone, our multidimensional, interactive exhibit area that focuses on the ecosystems of southeastern Massachusetts. The main habitats which comprise the EcoZone are wetlands, woodlands and meadows.

The ribbon was cut at an opening reception Tuesday, January 8, 2002, where Jeff Corwin (of Animal Planet's The Jeff Corwin Experience) introduced our collection of turtles and frogs into their new homes. In fact, Jeff Corwin was the driving force behind building the EcoZone. He approached us over two years before, with the idea of creating an exhibit that would represent the ecosystems of southeastern Massachusetts, and offered to help us raise the funds to build the EcoZone.

Features of the woodland area include a life-sized model of a red maple tree whose branches extend over the turtle and frog ponds. Tree roots allow our wood and spotted turtles to climb up to an area at the base of the red maple tree. A hollow log, large enough for both children and adults to crawl through, divides the turtle and frog ponds. There are peepholes on the interior walls of the hollow log that allow you to peek into the ponds and see turtles and frogs swimming around. A raccoon can be seen reaching into a hole on the top of the log to catch insects. The frog pond is bordered by grasses, ferns and swamp azalea, and contains bullfrogs. A charming little wooden bridge leads you out of the woodland area into the Meadow Zone.

The EcoZone is a principal partner for Animal Planet's R.O.A.R. We share their commitment to make the world a better place for animals and all living things. You can show your commitment by supporting the Science Center. The EcoZone is still under development and as funds are raised, new exhibits will emerge.

Sponsorship is available at many levels, from the sponsorship of an entire exhibit to an insect or animal that will live in the exhibit. No donation is too small!  Please call Executive Director, Martha Twigg, at: 781-659-2559 to find out how you can help - today!

Snakes Alive!

Come meet some members of the EcoZone!

Stop by the EcoZone to meet some of our most popular residents: an albino black rat snake, garter snake, eastern box turtle, spotted salamanders, wood frog and grey tree frogs. All local species, they've taken up residence in the Creature Corner, a display of live local reptiles and amphibians in smaller separate environments.

Other exhibits include the Vernal Pool exhibit, which is a cutaway diorama of a springtime vernal pool that magically transforms (with the push of a button) into the autumn version where the pool dries up and the animals change. The Night Time exhibit is a misty evening scene with twinkling starlights, and an animated video about nocturnal animals, "While You Sleep, We Fly and Creep".  It's a wonderful introduction to our barred owl, Hedwig, who resides out behind the building. There are also three Woodland Trees: White Pine, Tupelo, and Silver Beech, with special surprises inside the tree knots, including growth rings, a squirrel's nest and other little animals who make trees their home.

Owl Exhibit

Hedwig, our Barred Owl, is a non-releasable raptor, native to our region, who is used in our educational programs to focus on the conservation and protection of local animal species.  Our programs frequently explore owls as nocturnal animals and raptors, study their adaptations, and students dissect their pellets!

Through the years, these programs and demonstrations have been exceptionally popular with elementary and middle school students as well as, Senior Citizens.

We would like to provide Hedwig with a neighbor - either another owl or a hawk. To do so an addition to her enclosure needs to be built.  All donations would be greatly appreciated.

• For every donation of $5 or more you receive a beautiful watercolor Hedwig bookmark.
• Any donation of $60 or more will be considered a "Sponsorship" and entitle you to a Certificate, Information Sheet, Photo of Hedwig, Free Passes to the EcoZone Museum, and a personal visit with Hedwig.

Please mail or drop off your donation and mark it "Hedwig":

South Shore Natural Science Center
48 Jacobs Lane
Norwell, MA 02061

Thank you for your help!