About Us
Learn all about the Surrey Nature Centre.
The Surrey Nature Centre is situated on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Salish peoples, including the q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo), and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) Nations. We honour and respect these territories.
Your nature centre
Our mission
To provide a safe and welcoming space for Surrey's residents to connect with nature and each other.
Our values
Engagement
We provide opportunities through our spaces and programs to play, discover, learn, contemplate, and connect. We represent a large and diverse community – we work to ensure every person who visits the Surrey Nature Centre experiences something of value. We strive to create memorable outdoor experiences that engage and inspire.
Stewardship
We are stewards of Surrey’s natural environment. We are here to protect, preserve and promote Green Timbers Park and Surrey’s urban forest. We are committed to sustainability and building a legacy for future generations.
Connection
We foster a shared community space where connections can form. We create opportunities where people come together to explore and enjoy. We believe that time spent at the Surrey Nature Centre and Green Timbers Park can connect us.
Well-being
We know parks are essential to our quality of life – being outside is good for our bodies and minds. We work hard to contribute to creating a healthy, livable community for all.
Plan your visit
Location & parking
Location
The Surrey Nature Centre is located at 14225 Green Timbers Way, and includes:
- Four buildings; the large, white main building is open to the public
- An indoor nature exploration exhibit with content that changes throughout the seasons
- An arboretum with trees planted in the 1930s
- A large field with picnic tables
- A small seasonal pond that often has tadpoles or froglets
- Indoor classrooms that can be rented for private functions
- Trails through a forest and meadow
Parking
There is limited, free parking available at the Surrey Nature Centre. Please register your license plate at the reception desk in the main building upon arrival (Monday to Friday, office hours only).
Accessibility
Every person in Surrey has a place here. We aspire to be accessible in every sense of the word: physically, intellectually, culturally, and economically. We are committed to making visitors feel welcome, comfortable, and safe.
We have made the visitor experience comfortable with:
- Available staff to answer your questions
- Free parking with four accessible stalls
- Multiple seating areas
- Verified service animals permitted inside
- Wheelchair accessible picnic tables in plaza (to access you must go off of cement path and onto gravel surface)
We are currently working on:
- Creating sensory kits for loan (free)
- Having a junior-size (11-12" seat), all-terrain wheelchair available for loan for park exploration (free)
- Producing braille/tactile signage and program materials
Our site has a combination of:
- Stamped asphalt (our main service road, trail through the Lehmann Grove and meadow)
- Clear crush gravel (forested trails)
- Larger sized gravel (plaza)
- Bark mulch (Arboretum)
- Forest floor with some tree roots (Arboretum, up the hill and Lehmann Grove)
- Grass (field)
- Boardwalks (forested trails)
We do have some slight inclines along our forested trails, and a large incline to access the hill.
Group visits
Teachers are welcome to bring their classes for self-led field trips, and families are welcomed to host picnics onsite. However, you may be asked to move your activities based on already scheduled Surrey Nature Centre activities and programs. We suggest you call ahead.
Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. When planning your group visit, picnic or BBQ, choose sustainable, reusable and recyclable supplies. After your picnic or BBQ, take any extra garbage home with you.
Natural gas and propane barbeques are permitted on table tops only and if they are being used in ULC/CSA-approved devices for the particular product. Charcoal barbeques are not permitted at the Surrey Nature Centre.