Buttonwood Nature Center, Home of The Institute

The mission of The Institute is to guide the people of the Cumberland Valley region to become stewards of their natural and cultural worlds. To achieve this, we:
• provide environmental and cultural education to elementary and secondary school children;
• support and conduct research on natural and cultural history;
• provide opportunities for adults to learn about the nature and culture of the region and the world beyond;
• present programs that inform and entertain the community.
Our hands-on, experiential learning programs create meaningful encounters with nature and with history. Using natural park areas and historic backdrops across the region, our professional instructors ensure authentic learning and long-standing memories for students of all ages.