Photo serena Hong The APEC animal room has live rabbits, ferrets, birds and amphibians for public viewing. With a mission to encourage environmental awareness, understanding, appreciation and responsibility among the surrounding urban community, Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC) conducts numerous nature programs to educate families and students each year.

The center is open all week long, but closed on summer Sundays, and is located on the northern part of Alley Pond Park in Douglaston. Admission to the center is completely free. With 150 acres of woodlands, trails, streams, and Alley Pond as its backyard, APEC also has a library, a miniaquarium, and classrooms for its programs. It also has a zoo, called the "Animal Room", where small mammals, birds, and reptiles can be viewed by the public.

APEC holds five to seven classes daily for adults, children and families to enjoy together. Children's program activities include making nature crafts, playing with animals, going on nature walks and having discussions about the environment. Some other classes incorporate photography, science experiments, and cooking into nature education. Among the family and adult programs are watercolor workshops and star viewings. Those who wish to participate in the classes must register ahead of time. More information can be found at www.alleypond.com

"Ninety-nine percent of our classes always incorporate nature," Rosemarie Favuzza-Papachristou, a teacher at APEC, said. "We teach the kids that we have to share the earth and respect animals." In addition to teaching classes at the center, Favuzza Papachristou and other APEC teachers visit schools to bring to students' attention the importance of preserving the planet, often bringing bullfrogs, turtles, rabbits, or other denizens of the center to aid in conducting the lessons.

High school students in grades 10 and 11 can intern at the center in fall, spring and summer. Past internship topics have included estuary fauna, GPS and orienteering, water, soil and air testing and biodiversity.

Because APEC is nonprofit, the center holds fun community events to raise money while at the same time increasing awareness and appreciation for nature. This past summer, APEC has held several such events, including as fundraisers walks along the Cross Island Parkway and barbecues. On September 26, APEC will hold a National Estuaries Day Festival at Little Neck Bay that will feature live music, fishing lessons, kayak demonstrations and boat and canoe rides.