Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Essex County Environmental Programs Offered for January

A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of January that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites children and adults to visit the Environmental Center where they can enjoy an enriching recreational experience through nature and conservation activities.

Events scheduled for January are as follows:

“Christmas Bird Count” is a family-oriented activity in which participants will help the Environmental Center staff tally winter bird species found at nearby feeders, forests and fields. Binoculars will be provided. Dress warmly. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $5 per child, $7 per adult and $9 per family. Christmas Bird Count will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Get Moving Get Healthy” is a family-oriented activity that is part of the 4-H Get Moving Get Healthy challenge. This interactive program is designed to teach participants to make healthy eating and physical activity part of their family’s daily life. The program includes three major focus areas – understanding MyPyramid, identifying portion sizes, and learning easy ways to exercise together. Advance registration is required. For more information, call 4-H at 973-228-3785. Cost is $10 per family. Get Moving Get Healthy will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Birds of Florida” is presented by the Essex County Nature Photography Club. Vinnie Kempf, an international award-winning photographer, will share his photography secrets and insights on great shooting locations. This is a timely program with spring just around the corner. February and March are the best times to photograph birds in Florida. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $7 per adult and free for ECNP members. Birds of Florida will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Little Explorers Winter Nature Program” is a child-caregiver class that uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each session, a different nature or science topic is covered. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. Cost is $5 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Little Explorers Nature Program is scheduled as follows:

Session 1: Ages 2 to 3½ years
Dates: Thursdays from January 7 through February 25, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.

Session 2: Ages 2 to 3½ years
Dates: Mondays, January 4, 11, 25 and Tuesday January 19
Time: 10:30 a.m.

Session 3: Ages 3½ to 5 years
Dates: Thursdays from January 7 through February 25, 2010
Time: 1 p.m.

Session 4: Ages 3½ to 5 years
Dates: Thursdays from January 7 through February 25, 2010
Time: 3 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“A Search for Solace: Mixed Media Photography Exhibit Artist Opening” featuring work by fine art photographer Alan Schwab will be at the Essex County Environmental Center. The solo show highlights Essex County’s historic park system, as well as the New Jersey park system and other natural oases within the suburban/urban landscape. Through his diverse and varied use of technique, such as digital, film, infrared and pinhole, Mr. Schwab’s body of work exemplifies photography as fine art. He has spent the last 30-plus years as an artisan of many disciplines, including painting, drawing, photography and woodworking. Light refreshments will be provided. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. Admission is free. The opening reception for A Search for Solace will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Animal Signs and Tracks” is a family program presented by the NJ Audubon Society. Discover who stays in the swamp all winter long. Participants will look for signs and tracks of New Jersey’s year-round residents and make plaster track casts to take home. Dress for cold weather. Space is limited. Advance registration is required. For information, call NJ Audubon Society at 973-226-6082. Cost is $5 for members and $7 for non-members. Animal Signs and Tracks will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Introduction to Babysitting” is appropriate for children ages 10 to 15. This workshop, presented by the Rutgers 4-H Youth Development Program, teaches teens how to keep young children safe and entertained. The program includes babysitting activity resources, basic safety techniques and how to contact potential employers. Advance registration is required. For information, call 4-H at 973-228-3785. Cost is $10 per person. Introduction to Babysitting will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Is Solar Power for Your Home in Your Future?” is sponsored by the West Essex Park Conservancy and the Essex Sierra Club Singles Group. Robert Prout, Director of the Prout Funeral Home in Verona, will describe how he converted his business to clean solar power energy and explain the rebates, tax breaks and general savings that earned his business the 2007 New Jersey Clean Energy Leader. Decide whether you should consider solar energy for your home or business. Admission is $7 per adult and free for WEPC/Sierra Club members. Solar Power will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Bug Club” is appropriate for children ages 6 to 10. This club is for young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. Cost is $5 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). For information, call 973-228-8776. Bug Club is scheduled as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Green Thumb Club – Winter Gardening” is for children ages 5 to 10 who want to learn how plants can be started indoors during the winter. Propagate new plants, start a dish garden and experiment with seeds in three different types of soil and begin growing plants of your own in the middle of winter. Advance registration and payment is required. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. Cost is $5, plus a $2 materials fee per child per session. Winter Gardening will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesdays, January 13 and 27, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“4-H Pet Club” is geared for children grades 4th through 6th who love animals and want to learn how to take care of them. Participants will learn about pets and small animals. Non-pet owners are welcome. Advance registration is required. For more information, please call 4-H at 973-228-3785. 4-H Pet Club will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Becker Park” is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. This is one of the best places for birdlife in the county with a mixture of meadow and woodland habitats. Meet in the parking lot of the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland. Space is limited. The hike is free. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“4-H Environmental Kids Club” is for children in grades 2nd through 5th. The environment is filled with things big and small, that surprise and help us. Join the 4-H Club each month to see how much fun it is to learn about the world. Advance registration is required. For more information, please call 4-H at 973-228-3785. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park” is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Take a stroll in one of Essex County’s urban oases and discover how easy it is to find wildlife in winter. Meet in the parking lot at the intersection of Center Street and Elmynd Drive. Space is limited. The hike is free. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park
Intersection of Center Street and Elmynd Drive
Orange, NJ

“Craft Something New from Something Old” is geared for children ages 8 years and up. Claire Baker, owner of specialty store Copabananas of Montclair, will guide participants in creating a variety of products including notepads, billfolds, books, and more, made from cardboard packaging. Learn new uses for post consumer cardboard packaging and simple bookbinding and sewing techniques. All projects will be completed in class, and instructions will be provided so students can make more projects on their own. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $20 per person. Craft Something New from Something Old will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Rock-N-Roll Geology Club” is geared for children ages 7 to 12. Revel in the fascinating formations of Earth’s geologic creations. Hands-on club activities include exploring local geology, discovering what’s in local soil, and identifying rocks and minerals. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. Cost is $5 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Rock-N-Roll Geology Club is scheduled as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Creative Papermaking” is for children ages 7 to 12. Participants will make beautiful one-of-a-kind sheets of paper enhanced with decorative touches. Experiment with varied textural effects and produce a paper version of an original object. Advance registration and payment is required. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. Cost is $5, plus a $3 materials fee per child per session. Creative Papermaking will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“4-H Stamp Club” is for children in 4th through 7th grades. Learn about the history of stamps, people who have been honored on U.S. Postal Stamps and more. Start a collection today. Advance registration is required. For information, please call 4-H at 973-228-3785. 4-H Stamp Club will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Seed Starting” is presented by the Master Gardeners of Essex County. Learn the basics of starting vegetable and flower seeds at home, about growing medium, seedling care and seed selection. Plant your own seeds and save money on produce in 2010. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $7 per adult. Seed Starting will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“New Jersey Woodturners” will be presented by the New Jersey Woodturners Association. Discover the wonders of creating art from found pieces of wood, wood species, and turning tips and techniques. Topics vary month to month; call the Environmental Center for details. Cost is $7 per adult and free for NJWA members. New Jersey Woodturners will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, January 25, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Green Kids Environmental Club” is geared for children ages 7 to 14. Participants will discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects! Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. Cost is $5 per child per session (additional material fees not included). For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. Green Kids Club is scheduled as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park” is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Visit an Essex County oasis while searching for wintering ducks, gulls and passerine birds. All can be viewed along an easy trail around the lake. Meet at the east end of the lake in this County park located in Newark. Space is limited. The hike is free. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park
Meeker Avenue
Newark, NJ

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