Beaversprite
The Conservation Education Center of the Utica Zoo
A 1,300-acre parcel of land dedicated to raising awareness and educating our community about native animals and wildlife.
Located at 399 Beldon Corners Rd, St. Johnsville, NY 13329.
Upcoming Programs for 2026
Friday Family Fun
This educational program is held every Friday with a start time of 11:00am. It is open to families and friends of all ages and abilities! This program includes instruction, hands on activities, and a naturalist led hike in the woods and fields surrounding Beaversprite Nature Center. Please see below for available tour dates and their corresponding subjects! Stay tuned for more dates to be released. Tickets are $8 per participant.
- May 1st is all about Awesome Amphibians
- May 8th we’ll discover the Signs of Spring
- May 15th we’ll explore Flowers and Ferns
- May 22nd is Bird Bonanza
- May 29th will be our NCIS Beaversprite (Nature Senses Investigate Search)
Budding Naturalists
This program is held every Wednesday from 10:30am to 11:30am and is recommended for toddlers through pre-school age and their families or caregivers. In each class, toddlers and their grownups will learn about an amazing animal or a fascinating ecology topic through storytimes, crafts, and outdoor adventures on-site! Please see below for available tour dates and their corresponding subjects! Stay tuned for more dates to be released. Tickets are $10 per pair (of individuals).
- May 6th we’ll learn about Fantastic Frogs
- May 13th we’ll have some Flower Fun
- May 20th we’ll say Spring has Sprung
- May 27th we’ll have a Salamander Search
Night Hike
Join us On May 30th at 7:00 PM for a leisurely, naturalist led hike around the trails of Beaversprite. We will try our hand at calling in an owl, enjoy making smores at the fire pit and welcome May’s Blue moon. Cost is $8.00/child, $25.00/family. Spots are limited. E-mail mary.hall@uticazoo.org for more information or to register for the hike.
General Information
ADDRESS: 399 Beldon Corners Rd, St. Johnsville, NY 13329
Visitor Center is open during scheduled programming, by appointment and staff availability. Contact beaversprite@uticazoo.org or call 315-738-0472 ext 26 to schedule a visit.
Trails are Open Dawn to Dusk DAILY
Field Trips
Calling all educators! Beaversprite Conservation Education Center will be open this spring for field trips.
During your visit, your group will experience an interactive education program, take a naturalist guided walk on the trails and explore the nature center. Choose from one of our topics or work with the Beaversprite Educator to tailor a program to your needs.
Available Topics:
Wetland Wonders
The Story of Beavers in New York State
The Water Cycle
Birds 101
Tremendous Trees
The Cost is $8.00 per student. $10.00 per chaperones. Staff are free.
Participants must pre-register by emailing beaversprite@uticazoo.org
Small Group Naturalism Tours
Want to spend some quality time in nature and maybe learn a bit more about what it is you’re seeing out there? Want to see the historic Richard’s house where beaver conservation was pioneered in NYS? Our naturalism tours are the perfect way to experience both. These guided tours help you and your group delve a bit deeper into the wild places of Central NY, taking full advantage of the property’s 1300 acres. These tours are intended for smaller groups or families up to 4 people, as groups larger than this are likely to frighten any wildlife! Come join us for an enriching experience and truly connect with nature.
The Cost is $35/hour.
Participants must pre-register by emailing beaversprite@uticazoo.org
Primitive Camping
“Little Sprite Retreat is the place to go if you are looking for a peaceful site to relax and recharge. Take an evening hike on one of the sanctuary’s trails then fall asleep to the babbling stream and the hooting owls.
Little Sprite Retreat camp site is nestled next to Little Sprite Creek in the Beaversprite Conservation Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary which is owned and operated by the Utica Zoological Society.
Our Primitive Camping Site is Closed for Renovations
Contact beaversprite@uticazoo.org for more information & updates
About
Located approximately 45 minutes East of Utica in the town of Oppenheim, Beaversprite is a 1300-acre parcel of land dedicated to hands-on conservation education. Originally founded as a wildlife sanctuary by Dorothy Richards, the Beaversprite Nature Center now serves as the hub of activities coordinated by the Utica Zoo to provide an additional hands-on, educational opportunity for visitors to learn more about the wildlife habitats found right in our own backyard.
History
Beaversprite was once the home of Dorothy Burney Richards, aka the “Beaver Woman.” Richards became an active conservationist and animal rights advocate, devoting most of her life to the study of the American Beaver. In 1966, the Richards donated their house and 900 acres to the Erdman trust from Pennsylvania. The trust continued to add to the property and in 1973 opened a nature center.
The Utica Zoo re-opened the nature center as well as the Richard’s house in 2019 as Beaversprite: A Conservation Education Center of the Utica Zoo. The Zoo offers a wide range of STEAM based education programs for school, families, scouts, and learners of all ages and abilities. Dorothy’s home is available for private tours only.
Directions
The Beaversprite Conservation Education center is located on 399 Belden Corner’s Road in the town of Oppenheim.
*If you are using a GPS to get here, we suggest you put Belden Corners Road, Dolgeville. Some maps don’t recognize the number and if you look up Beaversprite it sends you to a different part of the property. When you turn off route 29 onto Belden Corners Road, it is approximately 2 miles. You will see a pavement end sign and the nature center is on the right.
Email beaversprite@uticazoo.org for more information.
