Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Invites Children and Families
to Enhance their Understanding and Appreciation of the Environment
Roseland, NJ – A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of May 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 recreation experience through nature and conservation education.
“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 May are as follows:
“Birding Hike In Great Piece Meadows” will be hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society. This large wetland meadow offers the chance to look for sandpipers, marsh birds, hawks and many spring migrants. Footing could be muddy in places. Meet in the parking lot of Charlie Brown’s Restaurant. Cost is $6 for NJ Audubon Society members and $8 for non-members. Birding Hike will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2008
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Charlie Brown’s Restaurant
337 Fairfield Road
Fairfield, NJ
“Passaic River Canoe Trip” will take participants on a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River. Paddlers will enjoy scenery and peacefulness as they paddle up the river and float down stream. The session includes paddling safety and techniques and all equipment. This trip is appropriate for beginners and children ages 10 and up who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Cost is $30 per canoe. Passaic River Canoe Trip will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Photos of The Great Swamp” will be hosted by the Essex County Nature Photographers. George Hall will lead participants on a photographic adventure through the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Cost is $7 per adult and free for ECNP members. Photos of the Great Swamp will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Nature Photography Exhibit Opening” will be hosted by the Essex County Nature Photographers. Nature photographs from around the world taken by local artists will be on exhibit at the Environmental Center through the month of May. The exhibit is open Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. The opening night celebration will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Green Thumb Kids: All About Compost” is part of an ongoing series to teach children the basics of gardening and planting. In this class, they will explore compost, discover how it is made and what brings it alive. This program is appropriate for children ages 7 to 12. Cost is $5 per child. All About Compost will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2008
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Master Gardeners’ Mother's Day Plant Sale” features a wide variety of annuals, perennials, ornamentals, shrubs, small trees, vegetables and hanging baskets for purchase. For more details, call the Master Gardeners’ Helpline at 973-228-2210 from Monday to Thursday between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. The Mother’s Day Plant Sale will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
The Master Gardeners also will host their Plant Sale Friday, May 2nd from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Montclair Edgemont Memorial Park, 292 Valley Road, Montclair.
“New Jersey Audubon World Series of Birding – Family Edition” will be held at the height of songbird migration. Walk on the trails around the Environmental Center and discover how many different kinds of birds are present. Hands-on activities will top off the fun! Cost is $5 for NJAS members and $7 for non-members. To register, call 908-766-5787. World Series of Birding will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Passaic River Paddle Relay And Festival” features a highly competitive canoe and kayak race on the Passaic River. If you don’t paddle, join the racers and the winners of the "My Passaic River" poster contest at Nereid Boat Club in Rutherford for an awards ceremony and Finish-Line Fun! To register for the paddle or for more information, contact Tom Pietrykoski at 973-817-5735. Paddle registration fee of $10 per paddler includes snack, T-shirt and insurance. Finish Line Fun is free. The Passaic River Paddle Relay and Festival will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
"Welcome to West Essex Park" will be presented by West Essex Park Conservancy members, New Jersey Audubon Associate Naturalist David Hall, and Trail Guide and Hatfield Swamp Enthusiast Michael Mazur.Come learn about the environmental attributes, flora and fauna of Essex County West Essex Park and find outabout upcoming events and ways to get involved.Lightsnacks and refreshments included.Admission is free. Welcome to West Essex Park will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Birding Hike In Essex County Becker Farm” will be hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society. This is an easy walk and perfect time to encounter the full variety of spring birds in fresh plumage and full voice. Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center. Cost is $6 for NJ Audubon Society members and $8 for non-members. Birding Hike will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Creating Dish Gardens” will be presented by the Master Gardeners of Essex County. Master Gardeners will demonstrate how to design and create wonderful dish gardens for the home. These gardens are perfect for those who don't have tons of space, but enjoy the art of gardening. Fee is $20 and includes materials. Creating Dish Gardens will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Family Fun Day: Endangered Species” will teach families about New Jersey’s outstanding natural diversity and the wild animals that are in peril. Discover opportunities to view these animals in their natural habitats and what you can do to help protect them. Fee is $5 per child, $7 per adult and $9 per family (one adult and up to two children). Endangered Species will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Decorating And Embellishing Wood Turnings” will be hosted by the New Jersey Woodturners Association. A master woodturner will show how to take your creations to the next level by adding decorations and embellishment. Cost is $7 per adult and free for NJWA members. Decorating and Embellishing Wood Turnings will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 19, 2008
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Green Thumb Kids: Wake Up Soil” is part of an ongoing series to teach children the basics of gardening and planting. In this class, students will learn about the importance of soil to gardening. They will get in the garden and begin turning and feeding the soil so it's ready to go! Appropriate for children ages 7 to 12. Cost is $5 per child. Wake Up Soil will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Birding Hike In Essex County South Mountain Reservation” will be hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Enjoy a hike through one of Essex County's most popular reservations with an expert! Meet at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. Cost is $6 for NJ Audubon Society members and $8 for non-members. Birding Hike will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
“Birding Hike In the Hatfield Swamp” will be hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Many birds will be nest building and late migrants are still in fresh plumage and full voice. Footing can be wet in places. Meet in the parking lot of King’s Grocery in West Caldwell. Cost is $6 for NJ Audubon Society members and $8 for non-members. Birding Hike will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2008
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: King’s Grocery
Intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Passaic Avenue
West Caldwell, NJ
“Hands-On Composting” is a hands-on workshop hosted by the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension. Take "going green" to a whole new level and learn the basics of home composting. Fee is $7 per adult. Hands-On Composting will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Learn How To Lead Nature Walks” is geared for Scout leaders, parents, teachers and anyone who loves leading groups. A Staff Naturalist from the Environmental Center will lead a hands-on course designed to give you all of the tools necessary to lead your own hikes and make it fun and interactive for your group. This is a appropriate for adults and children ages 15 and up. Fee is $5 per child, $7 per adult and $9 per family (one adult and up to two children). Learn How to Lead Nature Walks will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, 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.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 18 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, three off-leash dog facilities and a castle.
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