July Programs at the Essex County Environmental Center

A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland during the month of July 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.

"Our Environmental Center has become the premiere location for environmental education and nature appreciation. With the help of our partner groups, our dynamic schedule of events and activities will captivate all ages," DiVincenzo said. "Walk in our woods, discover habitats, get pointers on gardening, learn about nature photography and much more. It's all about nature and it's all at our Environmental Center," he added.


Events scheduled for July include:

"Little Explorers Summer 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 973-228-8776. Cost is $6 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Little Explorers Nature Program is scheduled as follows:

Ages: 2½ to 3½ years
Dates: Mondays, July 5 & 19, August 2 & 16
Times: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Ages: 3 ½ to 5 years
Dates: Mondays, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23
Times: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

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


"4-H Young Gardeners Club" is for children in grades 1-8. Have you ever wondered how vegetables and flowers grow? Where spaghetti sauce comes from? How you can find a rainbow in a garden? Come join the 4-H Young Gardener's Club to find the answers to these questions and many more. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-3785. 4-H Young Gardeners Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Garibaldi Hall
Roseland, NJ


"Birding Hike in Essex County Becker Park" is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Enjoy beautiful vistas of the Passaic River Valley at the right time to discover breeding birds and maybe orioles. Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland. Space is limited. Cost is $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, July 8, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting site: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

"Field Sketching" is for children ages 8 and up. An Environmental Center staff naturalist will lead participants on a journey through the Center's varied habitats. Frogs in the pond, butterflies in the garden, dragonflies at the river, birds building nests in the forest – there will be plenty of natural subjects to study and sketch. Advanced registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $6 per child, $8 per adult. Field Sketching will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, July 8, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ



"Bringing Back the Legend: Cougar Recovery in Eastern North America" will feature Eastern Cougar Foundation President Christopher Spatz, who has conducted remote camera surveys at High Point State Park, N.J., and in the Shawangunks at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in search of the cougar. Reviewing his survey findings with cougar biology, behavior and their current range dispersal, Spatz will explain why sightings don't produce evidence, and how restorations of this magnificent predator are imperative for the recovery of critically declining eastern forests. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $6 per child and $8 per adult. Cougar Recovery will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

"Hands-On Composting" is geared for adults. Take "going green" to a whole new level and learn how to compost. In this hands-on workshop with Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension, learn the basics of home composting. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $8 per adult. Hands-On Composting will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ



"Birding Hike in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park" is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Hikers will circle the park and tour a nearby bird sanctuary in Essex Fells. Meet at the tennis courts in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park. Space is limited. This hike if free. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Grover Cleveland Park
Brookside Drive
Caldwell, NJ


"Birding Hike in the Hatfield Swamp" is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. This gem has many of the best breeding birds in Essex County. Bring bug repellant. Meet in the Kings parking lot in West Caldwell. Space is limited. Cost is $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010
Time: 8 a.m.
Meeting Site: Kings supermarket
Intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Passaic Avenue
West Caldwell, NJ

Registration is required for all programs at the Essex County Environmental Center, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, please call 973-228-8776.