South Shore Natural Science Center is of one of Massachusetts' oldest nature centers, currently serving a yearly audience of 40,000, primarily southeast-regional elementary school children and their families, with a wide variety of solid and respected science and environment education programs. Founded in 1962 by William G. Vinal, a nationally-known early promoter of "nature recreation, " the Center's curriculum has benefited from long-term relations with science and education faculty from nearby Bridgewater State College. In 1968 it acquired 16 acres of land for a building, and by the mid-'80s it had outgrown that facility, so it expanded its building space and purchased 14 more acres--all surrounded by 200 acres of town conservation/recreation land, including meadows, woodlands, and a large dammed millpond. Today six interpretive trails traverse nine distinct habitats; its main building includes an interactive museum focusing on the biodiversity of the region, classrooms, an art gallery function room, a gift shop and a greenhouse. It supports a summer camp and a federally certified preschool. If you believe in early childhood nature and science education, this is one of the best.