Driving down into beautiful East Central Ohio, you can just wander yourself right into the wilds of Tuscarawas County. There’s plenty of wide open space and rolling hills and if you work your way West of Dover on route 39 you can stop in at the Norma Johnson Center(NJC).
A nature preserve and wildlife center with over 300 acres of topography that speaks to the signature of the land that is, East Central Ohio.
Educational Opportunities
Spend a fun filled day with your students at the NJC. Each year hundreds of area school children come to the NJC to explore, learn about non-point source pollution, conservation and preservation of our natural resources. Our staff and volunteers provide a wonderful learning experience by offering a hands on field laboratory. Students can learn about promoting conservation, trees, wildlife habitat and much more. The conservation land labs are designed to demonstrate the sources of non-point source pollution caused by run-off. Guided nature hikes are also available.
There are several walking trails available to the public along with five ponds, a wetland, suspension bridge, boardwalk, footbridge, bluebird trails, duck boxes, picnic shelter and much more. The “red barn” is on the National Historic Registry and adds a bit of history to the NJC.
The NJC strives to provide a non competitive setting with successful, hands on learning situations. One of our primary objectives is to help children and adults gain a greater appreciation for our wondrous natural world along with helping to challenge participants with new and exciting experiences.
Our Mission
The mission of the Norma Johnson Center is “To promote the conservation of natural resources through education, community outreach and personal experience.”
As a young adult, Norma Johnson saw the beauty and impact of natural areas for all to enjoy. While farming and learning, years later as highways and people swelled into Brandywine Valley, she saw that “acres of trees, ponds, and wildlife would be most refreshing for people to wander over now and in the future”. With this vision and the efforts of the community the Norma Johnson Center and Nature Preserve came to be for now and future generations.
It is because of Norma Johnson that we now have the 303 acre Norma Johnson Center.
Directions
To get to the Norma Johnson Center, take the Dover exit (#83) from interstate 77, and follow SR39 west approx. 3.2 miles. The Norma Johnson Center is on the right, or turn right just past the center on Old Route 39, and go right on Conservation Drive (less than 1/4 mile) to reach the picinic shelter.
- Address to Preserve at Pole Barn: 3870 SR 39 NW Dover, OH 44622
- Address of Picnic Shelter on Conservation Side: 2281 Conservation Drive NW Dover, OH 44622
Originally from Germany the Pershing Family settled in York County, PA in 1749. He married and took barn building up as a profession. Christian Pershing, JR. lived from 1786-1866.
There are frequent updates, event notifications, happenings, news, and all other types of good stuff at the NJC Facebook page, please took a look when you can,
Here’s the link to the NEWS page and a calendar of events and other info of note
Contact Information
Our business offices are at:
Norma Johnson Center
2201-B Progress Street
Dover, OH 44622
Phone: 330.339.7976
Fax: 330.602.8369
For our physical address, and Directions to the Center, please click here
The Whispering Crane Institute 