About Us

Meigs Point Nature Center is an exciting and vital environmental learning center open to all ages at Hammonasset Beach State Park, one of the most beautiful sites within the Connecticut State Park system.  Many of the programs at the Nature Center are funded through donations from the Friends of Hammonasset.

The first nature center at Hammonasset Beach State Park was in 1952 when the teenage daughter of the camp manager converted the first room of the old farm house, where her and her family lived, into an amateur Nature Center.

In 1972 the Meigs Point Nature Center was opened as a summer facility. Then in 2005 with the help of The Friends of Hammonasset the building was winterized and began a year round schedule. This has expanded every year until the current schedule.

The Nature Center is host to a variety of native animals, including: turtles, snakes, amphibians, crabs and fish. Most of the animals at the Nature Center cannot be released because of previous injuries or for other reasons, but are well cared for.

In season, there is a Touch Tank that allows some of the smaller wonders of the sea to be brought inside for up-close viewing and learning.  All creatures in the Touch Tank are regularly rotated and then returned to Long Island Sound.

Ranger Russ Miller is the director of the Meigs Point Nature Center.

Russ is a “natural” as Director of this Nature Center.  His extensive environmental knowledge, as well as his ability to captivate and entertain people of all ages, allows the Nature Center to offer extremely popular, fun, informative, creative programs and events at our facility.
During the summer season the Meigs Point Nature Center presents a variety of programs to the visiting public. Each program – such as the early-morning nature walk, turtle presentation, touch-tank program, and nature crafts workshop – is designed to highlight Connecticut’s natural environment and the importance of preserving it. By getting the public involved and letting them have fun while doing so, Russ is better able to get his message across.

Come to Meigs Point or we’ll come to you.

Ranger Russ’ environmental education programs reach out into the greater community through his off-site presentations at schools, educational centers, scouting meetings and for other groups that regularly call the Nature Center to set up presentations. Call today to have your group take part in these unique presentations.