The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Rt. 46 nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County. On-line directions are available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) and for scheduled programs. Admission is free.

Programs requiring registration are marked with an asterisk ( * ). Registration opens two weeks prior to the scheduled date. For registration or information call 908-637-4125.

Group programs are also available.

NOTE: Our classes are designed for first-time students, so if you have already attended one of these sessions, please do not sign up again in order to give others the opportunity.

NOVEMBER

* Rizzo's Wildlife Discovery
Friday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Rizzo's Wildlife Discovery brings families of all ages together for a show-&-tell style program utilizing live animals. This hands-on presentation highlights the habitat needs of various species of wildlife, and provides information on how pollution and other human impacts affect them. For more information or to register call Liz Jackson 908-637-4125 or send e-mail to ejackson@dep.state.nj.us. Registration is required.

DECEMBER

Whales, Sharks, the Ocean and How You Can Help!
Friday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m.
You're invited to this fun, interactive program presented by environmental educator Diana Dove for families, scouts, and sea lovers young and old! Take a pretend whale watch trip to see humpback whales in a slide show, hear whale sounds, investigate hands-on discovery stations with preserved ocean life and natural artifacts from the sea, and see a 30-ft long inflatable Great White Shark.

Bring a favorite SEA CREATURE: a stuffed toy, a picture/poster or your own drawing! We will hang all original artwork for everyone to see.

Find out how important it is to take care of the ocean - understanding how litter and pollution effects sea life and our environment will show you. Learn simple things people can do every day to protect the sea. Sponsored by the Mansfield Clean Communities Organization which THANKS YOU for NOT LITTERING.

Be sure to visit the NJ Endangered Wildlife Exhibit now at Pequest.

Weather fans take note: The Pequest Trout Hatchery has become the newest link in Rutgers University's weather station network. The hatchery is now the site of one of 13 stations throughout the state that feed data to the state's weather and climate monitoring system. To view current weather conditions visit: http://climate.rutgers.edu/njwxnet/station.php?s=1029.

Programs requiring registration are marked with an asterisk ( * ). For registration or information call 908-637-4125.