The Lockhart Family Nature Center is located on Open Lands' beautiful Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, at 350 North Waukegan Road, in Lake Forest. The Nature Center and preserve are the result of the generous support of the members and friends of Open Lands.

This gift to the community serves as a resource for families, school groups, teachers, scouts and other community members interested in the study and protection of nature. Thanks to the support of the community, Open Lands has a public visitor center where people can come to ask questions, talk with our staff naturalists, browse in our library, and take classes.

For over 20years, Open Lands has offered environmental education programs to Lake Forest families and school children. This wonderful facility has allowed us to expand our public and school programs. Summer camps, adult interpretive programs, Parent and Tot Nature Explorers, After-School Adventures and Explorers, arts and nature classes and family campfire gatherings are just a few of the programs offered at the Nature Center throughout the year.

The Lockhart Family Nature Center is named in honor of James Lockhart. Jim was a resident of Lake Forest for over 40 years. As an internationally renowned wildlife artist, author, naturalist and outstanding human being, he served as an inspiration for our environmental education programming.

Our goal at the Lockhart Family Nature Center is to provide resources for community members to experience and learn first-hand the beauty and importance of native ecosystems.

Nature Center Hours:

• Monday through Friday: 8:00 pm - 4:00pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Lockhart Family Nature Center is located on Waukegan Road just south of Deerpath. Take Waukegan Road (Route 43) to Deerpath. Turn west on Deerpath and travel one-half block. Turn left on Longmeadow. Then make an immediate left into the Lockhart Family Nature Center driveway.

The Mellody Farm Nature Preserve is open every day from dawn to dusk.