When was the last time you looked and eagle in the eye? Or fed a turtle? Or made friends with your local trees?

Well then, it’s about time. Throughout South Jersey, there are nature and environmental centers that are more than willing to introduce you to the wonders of nature.

Push a button at Palmyra Cove Nature Park and you can find out about how rivers work or discover what local birds eat. Sitting alongside the Delaware River, the interactive nature center and a variety classes and programs let kids (and their parents) get to know the world around them.

Once you fall in love with all the rescued wildlife at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, you’ll want to know more about them. Not to worry. Displays, exhibits, programs and classes will introduce kids and their families to animals, plants and environment through fun and lively hands-on conservation activities, workshops, exhibits and programs.

Follow the trail winding through the Rancocas Nature Center and you could see any of 150 species of birds, more than 200 kinds of plants, and commune with wildlife in their natural habitat. The Center also offers a variety of field trips and workshops, such as Beginning Bird Watching, Hawk Watching, and Creating Backyard Habitats for Birds and Butterflies.

The folks at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance make environmental education one of the hottest things to do with their programs that combine information with a touch of adventure and humor. Where else could you go on a Big Swamp Cougar Hunt and come away with a raft of knowledge about all kinds of natural wonders? They also conduct the annual Summer Pinelands Institute and the Science Field Training Institute for teachers along with other all-ages, all-interest programs.