3 Family Friendly Hikes

Here are three easy and family-friendly hike options to do with kids (or kids-at-heart) to close out the summer or into the fall.

The Batsto Lake Trail in Wharton State Forest is a peaceful loop through the Pine Barrens, offering lakeside views and historic buildings in the Village of Batsto. It is 4.1miles and would take a little more than a hour to complete the loop along sandy paths, bog bridges, and pine needle-covered trails along Batso Lake. Wharton State Forest is the largest piece of land managed by New Jersey State Parks. The area was a regional hub for glass and iron manufacturing during the mid-1700s to mid-1800s.

The Fairy Trail at South Mountain Reservation in Essex County is a short and magical walk perfect for kids and curious adults. This is an easy half-mile path inhabited by fairies who have built homes along the trail. The rules help to introduce kids to the principles of Leave No Trace.

Watchung Reservation's White Trail (Union County) goes over gentle terrain with scenic views and historical landmarks. At 2.7 miles, it will take you about an hour, depending on how many stops you make. Of course, like most of these hikes, you can extend the hike by continuing on the white or purple and yellow trails or turn back. Information and directions at Watchung Reservation White Trail. The Reservation also has the Trailside Museum and other trails to explore.

Free Freshwater Fishing Day Saturday October 21

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has two Free Fishing Days each year. The first was held on June 3 and the second Free Fishing Day will occur after fall trout stocking on October 21, 2023.

On these two days, only residents may fish New Jersey’s public fresh waters without a license or trout stamp. All other regulations, including size and daily catch limits, remain in effect.

It is a great day to get parents and grandparents out with kids to try fishing without needing licenses.

A valid New Jersey fishing license is required for residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years of age (plus all non-residents 16 years and older) to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey, including privately owned waters. Resident anglers age 70 and over do not require a fishing license or Trout Stamp. (license information)

Experience freshwater fishing at its finest, with destinations ranging from the Delaware River and native trout streams to urban ponds and hidden lakes off the beaten path.

For more information, please visit Free Fishing Days at New Jersey Fish & Wildlife

National Lighthouse Day and more at Sandy Hook

Today is National Lighthouse Day and at the Sandy Hook Lighthouse from 12 PM - 5 PM they will be joining in honoring the beacons of light that for hundreds of years symbolized safety and security for ships and boats at sea. Visit the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and learn about the oldest operating lighthouse in the nation with the long-serving Lighthouse Keeper Samuel P. Jewell (1869-1909). Learn what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper during the 18th Century. Must be 48" or taller to climb the lighthouse. Wear appropriate footwear.

OTHER UPCOMING PROGRAMS - also check the SANDY HOOK PROGRAM GUIDE

Stars of Sandy Hook
Beach Plaza @ Lot E
Thursday, August 8, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Join STAR and a park ranger to view the night skies. It is the best time of month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is little light in the sky. Bring binoculars and/or telescopes. Free.

Annual Fluke Tagging Trip
American Littoral Society
MIJo II Charters, Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina, NJ
Saturday, August 10, 7 AM
Join Jeff Dement, the Society's fish tagging director, for a day of fishing and tagging in New Jersey waters. If you've never tagged fish before, this is a great opportunity to learn from experienced taggers. Cost: $75 for Members/$100 for Non-Members. Cost includes boat ticket, all tackle, bait, and tags. If you have your own tackle, feel free to use it. Space is limited. Contact or call 732-291-0055 X106 for info. Places on the boat are secured when payment is received.

Going Bunkers: Nine Gun Battery
Lot M
Sunday, August 11, 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Explore and tour the north end of Fort Hancock's Nine Gun Battery, the longest gun battery the U.S. Army ever built for harbor defense. When construction began in 1897, the battery was originally intended to mount three 10-inch caliber disappearing guns, but when construction was completed in 1904 an additional six 12-inch caliber disappearing guns were emplaced, creating a nine gun battery that operated until 1944. Free. Call 732-872-5970 to make a reservation.

Ocean Beach Walk
Beach Plaza @ Lot D
June 17 through August 26, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Monday, Tuesday.
Come and take a guided walk with a park ranger along the beach, collecting and identifying some of the ocean's natural treasures. Wear comfortable shoes & sunscreen, and bring binoculars and water.

Canoe Cruise
U.S. Life-Saving Station Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
June 27 through August 29, 9:15 AM - 12 PM, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Take a two-mile morning paddle to explore Sandy Hook bay from an ideal vantage point-the water itself. Rangers guide you on a two and a half hour tour of the bayside waters and Skeleton Hill Island. Go to www.recreation.govor call 877-444-6777 to make your reservation. Fee-based program. Days vary; check listings in Sandy Hook Program Guide.

Junior Ranger
June 27 through August 29, Children ages 7 to 12 years old. Tuesday, Thursday.
See Junior Ranger section located after the calendar listings, for rotating schedule of programs and each location. . Offerings vary; check listings in Sandy Hook Program Guide.

Junior Jr. Ranger
June 19 through August 28, 10 AM - 11 AM, Wednesday.
Children ages 3 to 6 years old
See Junior Jr. Ranger section below located after the calendar entries, for rotating schedule of programs and each location. Offerings vary; check listings in Sandy Hook Program Guide.

Upcoming at Sandy Hook

Unfortunately, the Beach Concerts at Sandy Hook have been canceled. BUT there are lots of other things to do if the beaches, trails, and scenery aren't enough of a draw.

Starting today:

Bird Walk Monmouth County Audubon Society
Lot M
Thursday, July 11, 6 PM - 8 PM
Hike to the end of Fisherman's Trail to the ocean and look for osprey, piping plovers, terns, and other shorebirds. Bring binoculars, insect repellant, and wear comfortable shoes. Free. ♥ 2 miles.

Summer Coast Camp, Grades 3 - 5
American Littoral Society
Jul 8 - July 12, 9AM - 2 PM
Join the American Littoral Society for a week of educational fun that includes seining, kayaking, swimming in the guarded ocean, marine life identification, fishing, crabbing, birding, shelling, field journaling, plankton discovery, coastal botany, outdoor games, and understanding nature through art. Cost: $275 Society Members/$300 Non-Members. Contact: 732-291-0055 for more information and to make a reservation.

Fort Hancock Bike Tour
Theater Parking Lot across from the Chapel, Fort Hancock Historic Post
Saturday, July 13, 5 PM - 7 PM
Join a ranger on a guided bicycle tour highlighting everything from gun batteries to beaches. Bring your bicycle and bike helmet. Call 732-872-5970 to make a reservation. ♥ 3 miles.

Ocean Beach Walk
Beach Plaza @ Lot D
June 17 through August 26, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Monday and Tuesday
Come and take a guided walk with a park ranger along the beach, collecting and identifying some of the ocean's natural treasures. Wear comfortable shoes & sunscreen, and bring binoculars and water.

Canoe Cruise
U.S. Life-Saving Station Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
June 27 through August 29, 9:15 AM - 12 PM. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Take a two-mile morning paddle to explore Sandy Hook Bay from an ideal vantage point-the water itself. Rangers guide you on a two and a half hour tour of the bayside waters and Skeleton Hill Island. Go to www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 to make your reservation. Fee-based program.

Junior Ranger
June 27 through August 29, Children ages 7 to 12 years old. Tuesday, Thursday
See Junior Ranger section located after the calendar listings, for rotating schedule of programs and each location. . Events vary; check listings in Sandy Hook Program Guide.

Junior Jr. Ranger
June 19 through August 28, 10 AM - 11 AM. Wednesday.
Children ages 3 to 6 years old
See Junior Jr. Ranger section below located after the calendar entries, for the rotating schedule of programs and each location. Events vary; check listings in Sandy Hook Program Guide.

Sedge Island Sampler August Workshops Open for Registration

Bay fishing, crabbing, clamming and kayaking will be offered at two Sedge Island Sampler workshops. 

Held August 3 & 4 on Sedge Island in beautiful Barnegat Bay, these low-cost NJ Outdoors Program workshops are designed for women and families to learn new skills and new ways to enjoy the outdoors. 

• Outdoor Women Sedge Island Sampler
  
• Outdoor Families Sedge Island Sampler

Register soon as workshops fill every year.

Horseshoe Crab's Crown

Book illustration by Valentina Gallup

With the New Moon and Full Moons, horseshoe crabs appear on the Delaware Bay shore of New Jersey. At the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, a free event on June 9th features the debut of Horseshoe Crab's Crown, a children's book by Heather feather about oceanic friends working together to make a better world.

The American horseshoe crab is not a true crab and is not even a crustacean. It is more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to crabs, shrimps, and lobsters.

Horseshoe crabs have been around for at least 450 million years, making them one of the oldest lineages of animals alive today. They were roaming the seafloor more than 200 million years before dinosaurs existed.

A live reading and puppet show will take place at 1:30 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. It will be followed by a reception from 2-4, where attendees can explore the book making process and see the watercolors up close and personal. Crowns or fancy hats are encouraged.

The exhibit, on the creation of the book, runs for two months. Books on sale at the Wildlife Refuge Store.

Sunday, June 9, 1:30 Reading by the author; 2:00 -4:00 PM Opening reception 1:30

Seals Wintering in New Jersey

Seals are commonly seen on Sandy Hook’s Skeleton Hill Island in winter  - NPS photo

Many New Jersey residents probably would not say that seals live on the shores of our state. they are not usually obvious, but they do visit us regularly. Unlike humans, seals occur along the New Jersey coastline primarily between the months of November through April. 

The harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) is the most common seal found in New Jersey. Other species of seals found in the state include the larger gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandica), and the least common, the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata).

None of these seal species are classified as endangered or threatened, but they are all protected under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and you should avoid contact with them.

Harbor seals can be found across the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. In Europe, they occur within the Baltic, Barents, and North Seas. On our side of the Atlantic, they can be found in Canada and along the northeastern U.S. New Jersey is typically as far south as they travel in large numbers during the winter, though there have been occasional sightings as far south as Florida.

Sandy Hook is one of the most likely places to see seals in the state. Seals can most often be observed on the bayside beaches but may also be occasionally observed on the ocean beaches, the rocky shoreline near Officer’s Row, or on floating patches of ice in Sandy Hook Bay. There is a boardwalk with a viewing platform that leads out to the best viewing spot on the bay side of the main road.

Seals, along with sea lions and walruses, are classified in a warm blooded group called
“pinnipeds.” Sandy Hook’s seal visitors are “true seals” lacking external ear flaps, unlike
its relative the sea lion. They are also smaller and more skittish. Their long, hairless, front
flippers are used for propulsion in water while the hind flippers are used for steering.
The hind flippers can also be brought forward and under the body, allowing them to flop along on their bellies.

Seals have a thick blubber layer which, combined with a fur coat, protects them in frigid climates. Pinnipeds spend most of their lives in the water but come on land to give birth, raise their young and to molt. They can sleep in water but must wake up frequently to surface and breathe.

They are gifted swimmers, able to dive up to 1,500 feet for as long as 40 minutes.

There are two events at Sandy Hook in March that should give you an opportunity to see them and learn more about them.

Seal and Waterfowl Walk
Building #18, Littoral Society Headquarters
Saturday, March 2, 12 PM - 2 PM
Bring your binoculars and take a trek throughout Sandy Hook to observe the seals and waterfowl that overwinter in New Jersey. The program will include car caravanning to multiple locations on Sandy Hook. Afterwards, warm up at Littoral Society Headquarters with snacks and toasty beverages. Cost: $10 member/ $20 non-member. Registration and payment is required ahead of time, please call (732) 291-0055.  1 mile.

Searching for Seals in the Surf
U.S. Life-Saving Station at Spermaceti Cove (between Lot D and Lot E)
Sunday, March 3, 10 AM - 12 PM
Hike to the Sandy Hook bayside with a park ranger to search for seal activity during their annual migration; and learn about marine mammals that dwell in the waters of Sandy Hook at different times of the year. Reservations required, please call (732) 872-5970.  1 mile.

INFORMATION
Seals in NJ  nps.gov/gate/learn/nature/upload/Seals-in-Sandy-Hook-Waters.pdf
Visiting Sandy Hook nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/

Harbor seal - via Wikimedia

Annual Fall Forestry Festival October 6

The 24th Annual Fall Forestry Festival will be held on Saturday October 6th, 2018 from
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The vent will be located at the Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson, NJ (enter through 370 East Veterans Highway for parking)

This is a FREE Rain-or-Shine event for everyone and a great opportunity for families to enjoy the day and learn about the forest surrounding you.

Some of the activities of the day will include:

• Maple Sugaring
• Nature Walks
• Crafts
• Forestry Displays & Demos
• Greater Pinelands Dulcimer Society
• Classroom Presentations Given by Naturalist

Questions? Call 732.928.2360

Like the Forestry Center on Facebook www.facebook.com/forestrycenter/

The Moon and Canoes at Sandy Hook

Here are three outings for this weekend at Sandy Hook.

Fall Equinox Walk
Building #18, Fort Hancock
Saturday, September 22, 6 PM - 8 PM
It is called the equinox because it's one of only two days in the year when daylight and darkness agree to equally share the 24 hours in a day. Truth or myth - can you balance a raw egg on its end? Not sure, but it's a great day for an early evening walk on the Hook. Free, call the American Littoral Society at (732) 291-0055 to make reservations. ♥1 mile

Canoeing on Sandy Hook Bay
U.S. Life-Saving Station Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
Saturday, September 22, 9:15 AM - 12 PM
Take a two-mile morning paddle to explore Sandy Hook bay from an ideal vantage point-the water itself. Rangers guide a two and a half hour tour of the bayside waters and Skeleton Hill Island. Go to recreation.gov to make your reservation.

Harvest Moon Walk
U.S. Life-Saving Station Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
Sunday, September 23, 7:30 PM - 9 PM
"Harvest moon" is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Bring a flashlight for this night walk that utilizes the five senses. Call (732) 872-5970 to make reservations. ♥1 mile

Family Fishing Classes at Pequest

Family Fishing Basics classes geared towards families new to fishing are offered at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center this summer.

Topics covered include safety, ethics and casting techniques, followed by actual fishing time on the Pequest Education Pond.

Registration is required and opens two weeks prior to the program date.

All classes begin at 10:30 am and end at 12:30 pm on the following dates:
Tuesday, July 17
Thursday, July 26
Friday, August 10
Thursday, August 16
Tuesday, August 21
Thursday, August 27

For more information visit the DFW website at njfishandwildlife.com/budding.htm

Start 2018 With a First Day Hike

How will you be ringing in the New Year? I don't mean the Eve. I mean that first day. Do you have a resolution to be better about getting out and getting some exercise?

How about joining one of New Jersey's 2018 First Day Hikes? First Day Hikes is a national effort to get people outdoors. Yes, January 1 can be tough to get outside because of the weather and because we are recovering from the night before, but this tradition has gained numbers each year.

The New Jersey State Park Service is hosting 24 guided hikes, 2 mountain bike rides and 1 horseback ride in state parks, forests and historic sites on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes program. 

These free First Day Hikes offer a great incentive to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family in one of your state parks. 

For all hikes and rides, wear sturdy footgear and bring water and snacks. Check the weather before you leave the house and wear weather-appropriate clothing. Layers are best for exercising in colder temperatures.

One South Jersey biking possibility is the Batsto First Day Mountain Bike Ride in Wharton State Forest. This will be a guided 10-mile unpaved bike trail ride through the New Jersey Pinelands to ring in the New Year. They will meet in the Batsto Village Parking Lot at 11am. Bring your own bike to participate in this event. Registration for this ride is REQUIRED. To register or for more information email Gil Mika at wharton.nature@comcast.net

Need an easier way to get into 2018? I may ease into 2018 with one that is local for me - the Grover Cleveland’s Historical Visit & Hike. You can visit the Grover Cleveland Birthplace and/or join in on an easy/moderate 1.5 walk. The route starts at the Birthplace, proceeds down to and around the Grover Cleveland County Park, then back to the Birthplace. The Birthplace will be open from 11am to 12 noon. The Hike begins at 12 noon.

And there are plenty of options across the state at different levels.

Click the link below to see the list of all the hikes to welcome the New Year!

http://www.njparksandforests.org/parks/first_day_hikes.html

Time for Jersey Summer

It is summer and that means the Jersey Shore, but there is a lot more to do in the Garden State. After you hit the beaches and boardwalks, here are more suggestions from VisitNJ.org.

You don't have to hit a boardwalk to get your thrills because other amusement parks and water parks are throughout the state. 

From our maritime heritage, historic lighthouses along the coastline are scenic and historic. Sandy Hook Lighthouse (Highlands) is the oldest working lighthouse in the country, built in 1764. Check out the lighthouses in New Jersey.

Our Garden State also has hillsides covered in grapevines, so check out our wineries and vineyards. You can enjoy wine tasting in a tasting room and take in the views.

How about cruising gently above NJ in a hot air balloon? I thought I'd be afraid of one of these rides (heights are not my thing) but it was great. No fear! You can also watch them from the ground at the July QuikChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Readington every July.) Watch Video!

I often write here about state parks in New Jersey. They offer swimming and boating, hiking and mountain biking and many state parks, such as Monmouth Battlefield State Park (Manalapan) and Long Pond Ironworks State Park (Hewitt), also have important American history sites.

The state parks are great for mountain bikers but there are plenty of places for mountain bikes or a beach cruising. Take an early morning boardwalk ride or an all-day excursion on the Henry Hudson Trail. Check out some places to ride bike in NJ.

And that brings us to camping. Sitting around the campfire on a cool night beneath a starry sky in one of our campgrounds and RV parks. Here are just a few of our favorite campsites with gorgeous scenery.

In New Jersey we are surrounded by history. There are many free and low cost visit a historic sites for a day trip. We have living history villages such as Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (Morristown) to experience farm life in the early 1900s, or Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville, which also has field, barn and craft programs or just explore the grounds on a self-guided tour.

We have more than 400 publicly accessible lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and many secluded rivers and streams for your fishing trip. That can be a day with the little kids fishing for little fish at a little pond, or aiming for a big, trophy fish on a charter fishing boat to go deep-sea fishing.

Start planning your NJ trip with the FREE travel guide and travel map.


View it online or get a copy mailed directly to your door, see www.visitnj.org

Ocean Fun Day Saturday May 20 at Island Beach State Park

Island Beach State Park, the jewel of New Jersey’s State Park System, will give visitors an opportunity to watch the release of young diamondback turtles into their natural habitat, as well as other youth-oriented environmental activities during Ocean Fun Day on Saturday, May 20. The diamondback terrapin release is new this year at Island Beach State Park.

Island Beach State Park is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast. With approximately 3,000 acres of beaches, dunes, maritime forests, freshwater wetlands and tidal marshes, the park is home to the state’s largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds.

This year’s 14th annual Ocean Fun Days are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20 at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County, and on Sunday, May 21 at the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s headquarters in the historic Fort Hancock section of Sandy Hook in Monmouth County. Admission and parking are free. A free shuttle bus will be available at both parks to take visitors to tour sites.

Ocean Fun Day events encourage visitors to enjoy a day outdoors while learning about New Jersey’s coastal ecosystem through educational displays, nature tours and interactive programs that include seining, crafts, a scavenger hunt, touch tanks, youth fishing clinics and more.

Diamondback Terrapin

“Ocean Fun Day is a great way to teach visitors about the critical, yet fragile coastal ecosystems along the unspoiled barrier island that is Island Beach State Park,” said Director of Parks and Forestry Mark Texel. “The planned activities will show why Island Beach is a unique classroom to learn how ocean dynamics create barrier islands, and how the plants and animals here have adapted and thrived.”

Events at Island Beach State Park will be at Ocean Bathing Area 1, which is about four miles past the park’s gatehouse.

The turtle release will be done by students and faculty from Project Terrapin and the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES). The Sandy Hook event will include guided tours of Sandy Hook sites and an open house at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory. Both sites will also offer a program on how to build a better sand castle by understanding the science behind cohesion, adhesion and surface tension.

“Ocean Fun Days have become a wonderful tradition for New Jersey’s families and visitors, and that is due to strong partnerships,” said Claire Antonucci, Executive Director of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. “This year, we are delighted to partner with the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) to add a new activity to Ocean Fun Days with students and faculty from MATES Project Terrapin inviting the public to join them to release young diamondback turtles back into their natural habitat.”

Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service and NOAA.

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment through innovative research, education and outreach programs. To learn more about the consortium or Ocean Fun Days, call (732) 872-1300, Ext. 19 or visit: njseagrant.org

For more information about Island Beach State Park, visit: islandbeachnj.org/ or find the park’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/islandbeachstatepark/


SOURCE: nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0045.htm

Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities at HPSP

High Point Monument

What's the highest point in New Jersey? That's a really easy question to answer if you know anything about our state parks. It is within High Point State Park in Sussex County, the northernmost of New Jersey’s 40 state parks.

The 15,413-acre High Point State Park is well-regarded for its hiking and skiing trails, as well as locations for camping, fishing and numerous other activities.

Established in 1923 in the state’s Skylands Region, the park also is home to the High Point Monument, the highest point in New Jersey. High Point is the highest elevation in the state at 1,803 feet (550 m).

High Point is the highest peak of the Kittatinny Mountains. Three states – New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania – can be seen from the top.

At the peak is the High Point Monument, a 220-foot (67 m) obelisk, built in 1930 as a war memorial. From the monument, there is a spectacular panorama of hills, valleys, lush farmland and more in the 3 states.

High Point is the site for some activities this month for adults and children. Ranging from storytelling, games and crafts focused on nature during wintertime, to outdoor exploration and trail walks at the park.

Many people stay indoors more in winter, but it can be a great time to get out, explore nature, and enjoy the scenery at our state parks and forests.

To learn more about the programs below or to register, email register.highpointprograms@gmail.com or call (973) 875-1471.

---

January 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Nature in Winter Walk: A guide and participants will look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, as well as dormant trees, plants, insects and more. A limited number of snowshoes in child and adult sizes are available, and must be reserved by 4 p.m. the Friday before each walk. Use of snowshoes will be weather-dependent. Reservations are required and locations vary. Ages 7 and up.
Fee: $2 per person for the walk, $5 per person to borrow snowshoes

January 12 and 26, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
January 13 and 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Fledgling Naturalists: Children’s curiosity will be encouraged through hands-on outdoor activities involving stories, games and crafts. For children ages 3 to 5, with an adult partner. Each adult may bring a maximum of two children, not including infants. Children or siblings over age 5 may not attend. Registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program.
Fee: $5 per adult/child pair, $2 for additional children ages 3 to 5.

January 13, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Homeschool Naturalists: Hands-on activities will give homeschooled children an opportunity to explore the natural world and interact with peers. Suggestions for additional study and resources will be provided. Registration is required by noon the day before the program. For children ages 6 to 10 in grades 1-5 with some ability to read and write.
Fee: $5 per child (must be accompanied by an adult)

January 14, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Snow and Ice: Games, crafts and experiments will be utilized to teach families about snow, ice and winter weather. A guide will explain how park wildlife survives frozen temperatures, and participants will be able to cut their own snowflakes. The free program is both indoors and outdoors. Ages 6 and up.


To learn more about High Point State Park, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpoint.html

Visiting the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Education Center

If you missed the spring Open House at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford, NJ, or have never been there, you have plenty of opportunities this summer.

Some people only know Pequest for its state-of-the-art techniques and procedures to produce some 700,000 trout each year for stocking in nearly 200 ponds, streams and lakes throughout New Jersey. But the Pequest facility includes a Natural Resource Education Center for environmental education.

If you visit, you can learn about trout and how they are raised. You can also use the 5,000 acres of state Wildlife Management Area land that surrounds the hatchery for recreational opportunities such as hiking, hunting and bird watching - and fishing opportunities abound in the nearby Pequest River and with programs held at the education pond.

Pequest is open for visitation year-round (hours vary seasonally). The best time to see the hatchery area is  is October through May when all areas of the facility are in operation (May through September, the nursery building is not in use). But the staff and volunteers at Pequest are fully engaged with teaching visitors about a variety of natural resource topics - from fishing to forestry - with the goal that visitors will develop the behaviors and skills necessary to become stewards of wildlife and natural resources.

Educational programs are scheduled year round for groups of all ages.

Upcoming programs for July at Pequest include:

First Saturday Hike
Saturday, July 2 9:00 a.m.

The Fundamentals of Earthworms & Waste Reduction
Saturday, July 9  10:00 a.m.

Vermiculture: The Art & Science of Home-Composting
Sunday, July 10  10:00 a.m.

Family Fishing Basics
Tuesday, July 12  10:30 a.m.

Fly Fishing with Dry Flies
Saturday, July 16  10:00 a.m.

Family Fishing Basics
Saturday, July 16  10:30 a.m.

World of Amphibians
Saturday, July 23  2:00 p.m.

Coldwater Conservation School Day
Sunday, July 24  9:00 a.m.

Family Fishing Basics
Wednesday, July 27
10:30 a.m.

Woodland Animal Tracks
Sunday, July 31  11:00 a.m.

See the detailed schedule and information on registering at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/budding.htm

For more information on the Pequest Trout Hatchery, visit: www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pequest.htm

Blueberry Picking in the Pine Barrens

The Franklin Parker Preserve, New Jersey Conservation Foundation's largest preserve, is known mostly for its history of cranberry cultivation, but it also includes some large, previously cultivated blueberry fields. Many of these areas continue to produce big, delicious blueberries.

Come out for an "all you can pick" experience on Saturday, July 14, from 9 - 11 a.m. at the Franklin Parker Preserve in Chatsworth, Burlington County.

Participants will carpool and caravan from the meeting location to the blueberry fields. Bring your own blueberry containers, as well as plenty of water. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. Trip leader will be Russell Juelg, Land Steward and Pine Barrens Educator.

The cost is $5 per adult, free for children. Reservations will be confirmed and directions sent when the fee and waiver are received.

Register online at http://donate.njconservation.org/Registration. If you have questions or need more information, contact Laura (laura@njconservation.org; 908-234-1225).

More Step Into Nature event listings for other walks, talks and fun activities are at http://www.njconservation.org/njcfevents.cfm

Family Bike Ride & Hike May 14

Enjoy an easy walk or ride at your own pace at the 7th Annual Family Bike & Hike through the Hilltop Reservation - the newest park in Essex County.

Bring the whole family and join the Hilltop Conservancy on Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 am to noon for this easy, fun, self-paced tour.

The marked route is approximately 1.5 miles long on traffic-free pavement and gravel roadways, so even your youngest children will find this an easy and fun morning out for a leisurely ride and exploration.

Don’t bring money. The ride, beautiful scenery and memories are free. Do bring helmets, a camera and perhaps some drinks and snacks for your children.

Bikes with training wheels are very welcome. Start riding any time after 9:45 am.

Park in the lot behind the sports field on Mountain Avenue in North Caldwell (the Courter Lane entrance to the Hilltop Reservation).


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The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Countis an annual four-day event. This year is will be on February 12-15 (Thursday - Monday).

Bird watchers of all ages will be counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. You can spend 15 minutes on one day or all all four days getting involved.

The count is a collaborative effort of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon. Participants are helping scientists learn about bird populations. It's also a good activity to get kids interested in the nature that's literally in their backyard.

GBBC events are all over North America. Below are events listed for New Jersey. Additional events are listed on their website.

GBBC Birding Seminar
When: Saturday, February 6, 10:00 AM-Noon
Where: Forest Road Park building at Fanwood Nature Center. Join the Fanwood Environmental Commission for an information session and birding seminar. Learn about birds that come to your feeder with birding expert, Holly Hoffman. Pre-registration required. Walk-ins welcome depending on space availability. Also learn how to count birds for the GBBC. Participate in bird activities and games to learn how to identify birds and how they adapt to different habitats. Pick up a bio-degradable bird feeder kit. Attractive door prizes! This is a free event open to all ages and skill levels. Children will receive participation certificate and a bird patch. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, we invite you to the Fanwood Nature Center to join volunteers to count birds for the GBBC. To register for birding seminar on Feb 6, forms available at www.fanwoodec.org or the Fanwood Borough Hall. Drop off completed registration form by Feb 3, at Fanwood Borough Hall or call to register at 908-322-8236 or email registration to fanwoodec@fanwoodec.org.

GBBC at Duke Farms

Where: 80 Route 206 South, enter via the gate at Dukes Parkway East
Hillsborough.
-Friday, February 12, 10:00-Noon: GBBC Bird Walk
Members of the Natural Resources staff at Duke Farms will lead volunteers along trails on the property to record bird species and numbers. Bird watchers of all levels, including beginners, are invited to attend. Free, no pre-registration required. Meet at the Visitors Center.

-Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14, 10 AM- 3:00 PM: Trails Open for GBBC Counting
Bird watchers who wish to participate in the GBBC should pick up checklists at the Visitors Center before heading out to tally birds, or they may count birds at the feeders located outside the Visitors Center. Free, no pre-registration required.

Contact: For directions to Duke Farms or for more information on their their birding and other educational programs, visit www.dukefarms.org or call (908) 722-3700.

GBBC at Flat Rock Brook

When: Sunday, February 14, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Where: Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Avenue, Englewood. Be a “citizen scientist” and participate in the GBBC. Learn to identify New Jersey’s winter birds and then take a guided walk to identify and count all the birds we can find. Our data will be used by scientists to analyze bird populations. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. No need to pre-register. For adults and children age 8 and older.
Contact: (201) 567-1265 ext 203, jill@flatrockbrook.org, or visit our website: www.flatrockbrook.org

GBBC at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge

When: Sunday, February 14, 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Where: Wallkill Refuge Headquarters, 1547 County Route 565, Vernon. Friends of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge are inviting the public to help count the birds for the GBBC. Participants are welcome to stop in and watch the birds at the refuge feeders from the warmth of the building or walk along the trail. A presentation on birdfeeding will be given at 1:00 PM. Volunteers Herb Houghton and Giselle Smisko will be available to answer questions and assist new birdwatchers with identification pointers. The program is free.
Contact: friendsofwallkillrivernwr@yahoo.com or call (973) 702-1957

GBBC at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center – Chatham

When: Saturday, Feb. 13, 9:00 AM -4:00 PM
Where: 247 Southern Blvd, Chatham. Pick up an observation packet at the visitor center and go out to your favorite vantage point to count birds. A staff naturalist will be at the visitor center counting the feeder birds and answering any questions. A great way to participate in the count! FREE. Ages 5 & up
Contact: The Great Swamp OEC, (973) 635-6629
www.morrisparks.net

GBBC and Earth Center Birdcount

When: Sunday, Feb. 14, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Davidson Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Avenue, North Brunswick. The Middlesex NJ Master Gardeners group is hosting its "Earth Center 3rd Annual Birdcount" in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count on this day. We will hand out a bird checklist for your use and free coffee, and suggest you bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have one. Beginners and experienced birders welcome!
Contact: Pat Evans, pat_j_evans@yahoo.com

• Great Backyard Bird Count
• Backyard Birds of New Jersey 
• Birds of New Jersey Field Guide 
• National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds: New Jersey 
• Compact Guide to New Jersey Birds 
• Bird Count Page for Children
• The Burgess Bird Book for Children
• Audubon Life-List Journal 
• Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America 
• Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America 

February Environmental Programs in Essex County

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

Some samples:

“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:

Dates: Thursdays, February 2 through 25, 2010
Times: 10 a.m. for ages 2 to 3½ years
1 p.m. OR 3 p.m. for ages 3½ to 5 years
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Owls of Essex” is a family-oriented program being offered by the NJ Audubon Society. Participants will investigate where these majestic birds fit into the food web by dissecting owl pellets, discover how owls build their nests and communicate, and make “owl pellet” candy to take home. Space is limited. Advance registration is required. For information, call the NJ Audubon Society at 973-226-6082. Cost is $5 for NJAS members and $7 for non-members. Owls of Essex will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Will We Sacrifice Our Water for Gas? Natural Gas Drilling in the Delaware River Watershed and How It Will Impact New Jersey Residents' Water Supply” is sponsored by the West Essex Park Conservancy and the Essex Sierra Club Singles Group. Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director of Delaware Riverkeeper Network, will address the looming impacts of natural gas drilling in the Delaware River Watershed and the harmful environmental effects it may have on downstream populations such as New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware. There will also be a discussion on the Halliburton Loophole, which exempts gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act and other federal environmental laws. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $7 per adult and free for WEPC/Sierra Club members. Natural Gas Drilling will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation” is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Enjoy the beautiful views of Manhattan while discovering the birds of open spaces and woodlands. Meet at the Essex County Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial parking lot in West Orange. 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, February 11, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation
Essex County Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial
Eagle Rock Avenue
West Orange, 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, February 11, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

download Programs Brochure (PDF)

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