Nature Center & Programs

The Nature Center features live animals such as snakes, aquatic ecosystems, frogs and more. Walking trails are located behind the Nature Center and also on the lake-side of the park. The Nature Center offers many programs throughout the year for both children and adults. The playground and picnic areas are across the street from the Nature Center.

For more information, see the Nature Center facility page

Park Naturalist Dr. Daniel Duran

Daniel Duran

Biography

Dr. Daniel P. Duran is a Lecturer at Rowan University, and Naturalist at Scotland Run Park. He is also President and co-founder of a non-profit insect conservation organization, The Mid-Atlantic Native and Threatened Insect Zoo (MANTIZ). He received a B.S. in Environmental Science from Stockton University in 1998, an M.S. in Entomology from University of Missouri in 2002, and a Ph.D. in Evolution and Ecology from Vanderbilt University in 2010. In between his degrees, he has also worked for the Natural History Museum, London, UK and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

Currently, he teaches courses about a variety of topics pertaining to ecology, evolution, insects, and plants. His research is focused on the discovery of new species and advancing the field of integrative taxonomy, and examining the important roles of insects and plants in functioning ecosystems. Dr. Duran is a co-author of the book "A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada, 2nd Edition".