Lehigh Valley Zoo’s youth-oriented nature garden, Preston’s Pad, re-opened June 17.

Open 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the garden is a place where plants, animals, insects and children can interact safely.

Within Preston’s Pad, children can build habitats for birds and toads, paint with mud or make their own fairy garden, which benefit the animal inhabitants of the garden.

The pad also contains non-interactive exhibits for larger bugs and spiders and iPads equipped with nature-oriented games.

The aim of Preston’s Pad is to promote biodiversity amongst the environment’s inhabitants as part of an initiative known as Nature Play.

Nature Play is a collaborative effort between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and The Walt Disney Co. that aims to connect families to nature.

Nature Play allows children and their families to learn more about how humans can help or hurt the rest of the natural world.

Melissa Borland, CEO and president of Lehigh Valley Zoo, enthusiastically supports the Nature Play initiative. “Nature Play is an important element of the Zoo’s educational program.

“As the children work their magic building homes for insects and toads, they create an environment where they can use magnifying glasses to explore a natural world of butterflies, caterpillars, frogs, pollinating bees, birds and more.”

More information can be found at lvzoo.org or on its Facebook page.