Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

Scott Weidensaul is a founder of the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and has served as its research director since 1998. Founded in 1993, the center bridges the worlds of science and creativity, using the arts to introduce people to nature, and nature to excite people about the arts.

 Located on 500 acres in Millersburg, Pennsylvania (30 minutes north of Harrisburg), the center is named for the late naturalist and artist Ned Smith (1919-1985). Its newly expanded facilities feature an educational center and galleries that house the center's collection of hundreds of original paintings, drawings, field sketches, journal notes and manuscripts. In addition to the permanent collection, the center "Waiting for Dusk," Ned Smith, 1983 (©NSCNA)showcases the works of contemporary artists and photographers from around the country in changing exhibits. Recent exhibits have featured the works of field guide artist David Allen Sibley, watercolorist and essayist Julie Zickefoose, National In addition to its extensive art collection, the center also houses the 30,000-specimen Kopp Moth and Butterfly Collections. (©NSCNA)Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, and acclaimed British land artist Andy Goldsworthy.

 With hardwood forest, stream, more than 12 miles of trails and stunning views of the nearby Susquehanna River from the mountaintop, the center's land also provides habitat for the wildlife Ned Smith immortalized - deer, bear, wild turkey, grouse, fox and many species of smaller animals.

 The center also hosts a resident theater company, the Twin Valley Players, and partners with a variety of performing arts groups, including the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet and Gamut Theater.

 A pedestrian bridge connects the center to its 500 forested acres and 12 miles of hiking trails. (©NSCNA)The center plays an active role in education about nature, the arts and conservation through a year-long series of lectures, field trips, seminars an other special events, as well as ground-breaking wildlife research on species such as the northern saw-whet owl, which Weidensaul oversees.