Prairie Ridge Ecostation
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences' field station in west Raleigh, Prairie Ridge boasts a green Outdoor Classroom, a native plant garden and native tree arboretum, a series of ponds and vernal pools, and a trail system winding through the prairie and forest. Museum staff offer a multitude of public programs to educate visitors about nature and science. The Nature PlaySpace for young children has become a safe, popular space for nature-based play; programs offered here include Nature Stories and Nature PlayDays. Prairie Ridge is also a hub for researchers who conduct citizen science onsite, affording visitors numerous opportunities to participate in real scientific research.