At Charlotte's Quest Nature Center volunteers dedicate their time, talents, and resources to help teach environmental education and to make the public aware of their surroundings and the precious natural resources that we need to preserve for future use. The Manchester Parks Foundation promotes this awareness and advances the welfare of our natural resources through volunteer training services, fundraising, field trips, and other activities or demonstrations.

The Manchester Parks Foundation is the motivating force behind this undertaking in the small town of Manchester. Spear-headed by then Manchester Councilperson Charlotte Collett in 1993, Manchester's nature center was born. Charlotte a retired Manchester Elementary School teacher, wanted the awareness and the wonders of our enviroment taught to the Manchester Elementary School students and to the general public. School officials were contacted and shown possible plans by the town for an outdoor learning facility adjacent to the school's property. When asked if they would use the facility schoolteacher Charles Pearce and Principal Robert Bruce couldn't jump at the chance fast enough. A small Interpretive Building was erected on the more than 60 acres of land that Charlotte's Quest calls home. Pine Valley Park and the Walnut Street pond are comprised in this acreage.

The building and the surrounding land were purchased through Open Space money that the town was able to receive.

Donations, fundraisers, as well as, consistent usage of the facility by home school groups, school students, scouts and the general public are important to the success of Charlotte's Quest. Field trips are available by calling and scheduling a time that is suitable. For available dates you may check out our Online Calendar.

Our one major fundraiser each year is our annual Spring Fest the first Sunday in May. Vendors, exhibitors, games, environmental presenters and more bring in funds for the operation of Charlotte's Quest.

Charlotte's Quest is under the direction of the Manchester Parks Foundation and the Town of Manchester. Charlotte's Quest Nature Center is operated by volunteers and one paid staff member, the Naturalist, and is maintained by donations, grants, memberships, and in-kind gifts. No government funding is received.

The Nature Center's Interpretive Building will be open the:

Our 4 1/2 miles of trails, Walnut Pond, the Stream of Life, the natural springs and forests are open everyday from dawn until dusk. Feel free to park at the gate and to walk in during the hours that the Interpretive Building is not open.

It is the mission of the Manchester Parks Foundation to be stewards of the environment by protecting the watershed area and our precious natural resources, by teaching environmental education to the public, by the restoring of the native plants and animals, and by maintaining a diverse natural world.

The Manchester Parks Foundation is the caretakers of Charlotte's Quest Nature Center and Pine Valley Park.