Environmental Education Center

The Environmental Education Center at Green Lakes State Park is a former 1940s boathouse on the west shore of Green Lake, converted into a 1,100-square-foot nature center. Its exhibits explain how the park's rare meromictic lakes formed and work, with displays on wildlife, habitats, the park's history and a large topographic map. In October 2026 it was open noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, and closed Sundays and Mondays. Public programs are free.

What's Inside

NYS Parks describes the center's exhibits as covering:

• The lakes: the formation and science of the park's meromictic lakes. See why the water is green.
• Wildlife and habitats found in the park.
• A large topographic map of the park.
• People and the park through history. See history.
• A kiosk on the park's activities.

Hours

NYS Parks listed the center open noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays, in both July and October 2026. In September 2025 the hours were 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, so they change with the season. Check the park page before a special trip, or email CentralRegionEE@parks.ny.gov.

Programs

The Central Region Environmental Education team runs free public programs at Green Lakes; recent examples on the park's events page include a self-guided fungi walk along the lake trail and a Halloween dog walk around the Green Lake Trail. The most requested group program is a guided hike around Green Lakes.

Groups and Field Trips

• Groups of 10 or more can ask for a guided program by email.
• School field trips run as three or four 30-minute stations, aligned with New York's P-12 science standards. Topics range from Pre-K story hikes to a high-school Lake Study with hands-on water testing.
• Environmental Field Days for grades 5 and 6 have run for over 20 years, usually on the second Thursday and Friday of October.
• Cost help: the state's Connect Kids to Parks grant can cover transportation for school trips; apply at least six weeks ahead.

The center has heat, so NYS Parks welcomes groups in any season.

Getting There

The boathouse is on the west shore of Green Lake, a short walk south from the beach along the Green Lake Trail. Use the main entrance off Route 290. In summer the $10 vehicle fee applies from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. See parking.