Rotary Nature Center

The Rotary Nature Center is a natural science museum operated by City of Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) Department. Constructed in 1953, the Rotary Nature Center is the oldest municipal nature center in the United States and is home to educational displays that highlights the plant and animal species that call Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park home. Nature center features include a main hall that contains a large variety of bird specimens, interactive displays, activity stations, and information on Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park’s natural and cultural history, an environmental education library, and Rotary Nature Center staff offices. The nature center’s adjacent location to Lake Merritt makes it a prime viewing spot for resident and migratory birds that frequent the oldest wildlife refuge in the United States. Driven by conservation, stewardship, and connecting Oaklanders and its visitors to their open spaces, the Rotary Nature Center features youth and adult programs, classes, and special events that welcomes all to experience Oakland’s natural side.