When it emerged more than 10 years ago as the Two by Two Petting Zoo, Noah's Landing had the same vision that it still has today: conservation and preservation through education. By collecting a menagerie of rare and exotic animals and bringing them nose to nose with children and families in central and eastern North Carolina, we’re teaching the next generation through touch, sight, and sound and asking them to preserve these creatures for future generations.

Our programs are designed to emphasize the diversity of our world, the evolution of survival traits, the inherent intelligence and social skills of the animals we house, and respect for the world around us.

The Noah's Landing Mission

As a non-profit nature center, we hope to:

Bring visitors face to face with a world of creatures selected for their educational significance, friendliness, and diversity.

Construct habitats that offer enrichment, safety, and comfort to our animals
while offering the greatest opportunity for sight, touch, and interaction.

Teach children about the animal kingdom and basic science objectives.

Reach out to those with special needs, including phsyically and mentally handicapped adults and children.

Provide an outlet and model for community service in the community.

Demonstrate the importance of preservation and conservation.

Work alongside the research and veterinary community to further understanding of animal behavior, anatomy, and treatment.

Create a retreat for families, friends, and neighbors, and groups to spend a day sharing and learning together.

The Noah's Landing Experience
We strive to live up to our mission statement every day. Our programs - including field trips, family tours, the mobile nature center, and the Junior Zookeeper program - teach the community through hands-on interaction and inquiry-based learning. Our tour guides don't just tell facts - they ask questions so visitors can make connections on their own. And our Junior Zookeeper program - which lets younger children "learn the rope" through volunteering is a rare opportunity for kids to learn just what it takes to care for animals.

The Noah's Landing Herd
One of the first questions that visitors ask is, "Where did you get your animals?" The answer is varied. Many of our animals come from other zoos and nature centers across the country. Some are born on site. Others are "rescues." These animals might be native wildlife that cannot be released into the wild and we have special permits to keep them at our farm. Or, they may be former exotic pets that owners can no longer care for. No matter their story, they are all as unique as they are entertaining!