Week of 5/22/2023 - 5/28/2023
Monday Movers: Parker Trail
High Point State Park, TBD
22-May 10 AM
Description: Join April Oleksy from the Friends of High Point State Park, to hike and explore the Parker Trail. For more information go to www.friendsofhighpointstatepark.org.
Age: Adults. $5 donation suggested.
Register by calling April at 862-326-1367 or email highpointprograms@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Bring water and insect repellent.
Wednesday Walkers
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center Parking lot
24-May 9 AM
Description: 2.5-mile scenic walk on relatively flat trails and roads.
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
The Historic Trilogy
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
24-May 10 AM
Description: Power point presentation about the historical roles of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and CRRNJ Terminal.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Information Desk located inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking is available in Lot #9 across the street from the building.
Homeschool Hike: A Sense of Spring
High Point State Park, TBD
25-May 10 AM
Description: Winter held on longer than expected this year, but spring is finally on its way! Each week we’ll take a walk to search for signs of spring, and note the changes as the season progresses. There will be birds and flowers, budding leaves, emerging amphibians, and more! These walks will cover about one to two miles over easy to moderate terrain and are a great way for homeschoolers to get a little fresh air and exercise while socializing and learning about nature.
Age: ages 6 and up.
Registration at https://highpointstatepark.eventbrite.com
Call (973) 875-1471 or email highpointprograms@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Dress for the weather and add an extra layer just in case!
Hike with History
Bass River State Forest, park office
26-May 10 AM
Description: Guided 3 to 4-mile hike to see and appreciate all the boys of the CCC did to make our parks and forests. Followed by letters and crafts for Memorial Day.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Memorial Day Celebrate our Veterans
Bass River State Forest, park office
27-May 10 AM
Description: Guided 3-to-4-mile hike to see and appreciate all the boys of the CCC did to make our parks and forests. Followed by letters and crafts for Memorial Day.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Animal Tracking
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Pakim Pond
27-May 2 PM
Description: Join us on a search for signs of our furred, feathered, and scaly friends! Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll find out how to look for evidence of many different kinds of critter activity.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 726-1191 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj,gov for more information. Please wear sunscreen and bug spray.
Stream Slosh
High Point State Park, TBD
27-May 10:30 AM
Description: Explore one of High Point’s streams! We’ll walk a short distance down the Flatbrook near Sawmill Lake and will use nets and other techniques to observe the stream’s inhabitants.
Age: ages 6 and up.
Registration at https://highpointstatepark.eventbrite.com
Call (973) 875-1471 or email highpointprograms@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Wear boots, old sneakers, or water shoes as it will be wet, muddy, and slippery. You may also want to wear insect repellent and/or a hat.
Tiny Trails
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
27-May 11 AM
Description: Program to learn about insects, a walk through our native gardens, and a take home craft.
Age: ages 4-6
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Hike with History
Bass River State Forest, park office
28-May 10 AM
Description: Guided 3 to 4-mile hike to see and appreciate all the boys of the CCC did to make our parks and forests. Followed by letters and crafts for Memorial Day.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Nature Art
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Nature Center
28-May 10 AM
Description: Use all natural materials to make beautiful works of art! Leaves, clay extracted from soil, and dyes and paints made from plant matter will all be available.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 726-1191 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj,gov for more information. Please wear sunscreen and bug spray.
Week of 5/29/2023 - 5/31/2023
Hike with History
Bass River State Forest, park office
29-May 10 AM
Description: Guided 3 to 4-mile hike to see and appreciate all the boys of the CCC did to make our parks and forests. Followed by letters and crafts for Memorial Day.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Seining at Pakim
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Pakim Pond
29-May 10 AM
Description: Discover what’s lurking beneath the surface of Pakim Pond! We’ll use a seining net to scoop up and identify the elusive critters of the water and what they have to say about water quality.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 726-1191 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj,gov for more information. Please wear sunscreen and bug spray.
Wednesday Walkers
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center Parking lot
31-May 9 AM
Description: 2.5-mile scenic walk on relatively flat trails and roads.
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
Week of 6/1/2023 - 6/4/2023
Hike With a Purpose
Bass River State Forest, park office
2-Jun 10 AM
Description: Hike 3 miles and pledge to be a steward of our parks and forests. Celebrate National Trails Weekend- use nature to create art after the hike.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Hike With a Purpose
Bass River State Forest, park office
3-Jun 10 AM
Description: Hike 3 miles and pledge to be a steward of our parks and forests. Celebrate National Trails Weekend- use nature to create art after the hike.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
National Trails Day Hike to Branchville
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Sussex Branch Trail crossing at Augusta Hill Rd.
3-Jun 11 AM
Description: Brisk 4-mile round-trip naturalist-led hike on the Sussex Branch Trail to the picturesque town of Branchville. Discover its history while enjoying the natural scenery along the rail-trail. You will have almost an hour in town to do as you please - grab a quick lunch at The Barnyard, peruse the offerings at Broad Street Books, stroll around town - it's up to you! Call (973) 786-6445 with questions.
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/634053570297
Trails Day Hike "Lost in the Woods"
Round Valley Recreation Area, South parking lot
3-Jun 10 AM
Description: With summer adventures just ahead, we will celebrate National Trails Day with a hike on a loop trail to learn how to *not get lost in the woods* and discover what to do if we are lost. Yes, a sing-along to the song "Lost in the Woods" from Frozen is part of the program.
Age: Children and young adults.
Please call 908-236-6355, or e-mail RoundValley@dep.nj.gov for questions. Register online- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lost-in-the-woods-at-round-valley-recreation-area-tickets-630515227017
Dress for the weather and always bring drinking water, even on relatively short hikes. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, as are "The Ten Essentials": https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/gear/the-10-essentials-revisited/
Strawberry Moonrise Hike on the A.T.
Stokes State Forest, Sunrise Mountain Pavilion parking lot
3-Jun 7:30 PM
Description: We'll embark on a 2.5-mile round-trip hike down the paved road and up the Appalachian Trail, arriving back at the pavilion just in time to watch the moonrise.
Age: teens and adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Registration at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/634045215307
Hike With a Purpose
Bass River State Forest, park office
4-Jun 10 AM
Description: Hike 3 miles and pledge to be a steward of our parks and forests. Celebrate National Trails Weekend- use nature to create art after the hike.
Age: all ages.
Call (609) 296-1114 or email Lisa.Ziff-Riley@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Week of 6/5/2023 - 6/11/2023
Tales from the Morris Canal
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
7-Jun 1:30 PM
Description: Power Point Presentation and discussion about the historic canal and, weather permitting, a walk to what remains of the canal in the park today.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Information Desk located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking is located in Lot #9 across the street from the Terminal.
Fabulous Fungi
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
10-Jun 10 AM
Description: Guided walk to look for and discuss species of fungi in Liberty State Park.
Age: ages 4 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Meet Mrs. Stockton
Rockingham Historic Site, Dutch Barn
10-Jun 1:30 PM
Description: Alisa Dupuy will be presenting a first-person portrayal of Annis Boudinot Stockton, wife of a signer of the Declaration for New Jersey, poetess and friend of the Washingtons.
Age: teens and adults
Call (609) 683-7132for more information. Registration at RockinghamMMS.eventbrite.com
Art in Nature: Field Observations
Liberty State Park, 300 Morris Pesin Drive - Lot #1
11-Jun 10 AM
Description: Walk to Caven Point Beach with special guest artist Eileen Ferara to draw and journal in nature.
Age: ages 5 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes that can get wet/muddy. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Week of 6/12/2023 - 6/18/2023
Nature Walk and Craft: Beach
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
14-Jun 10 AM
Description: Guided walk to our beach area followed by a beach-related craft to take home.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes that can get wet/muddy. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Trail of the Blue Comet
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
15-Jun 1:30 PM
Description: Power Point Presentation about the famous train and visit to its original train track.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Information Desk inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking is available in Lot #9 across the street from the building.
Shorebird Walk
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
17-Jun 10 AM
Description: Guided walk to look for and discuss visiting shorebirds and native species in the park.
Age: ages 5 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors, wear shoes comfortable for walking, and bring binoculars if you have them. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Horseshoe Crab Walk
Liberty State Park, Lot #1 300 Morris Pesin Drive
18-Jun 9:30 AM
Description: Guided walk to Caven Point to talk about the habitats and traits of visiting horseshoe crabs.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes that can get wet. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you. The walk is approximately 1 1/2 miles round trip.
Week of 6/19/2023 - 6/25/2023
Explosion at Black Tom
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
21-Jun 1:30 PM
Description: Power Point Presentation about Black Tom and trip to what remains of the area today in the park.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Information Desk located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking is located in Lot #9 across the street from the Terminal. You will need your own transportation to get to the Black Tom Site.
Trailblazers Volunteer Day
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
24-Jun 9 AM
Description: Volunteer trail work.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors, wear sturdy shoes, and bring work gloves if you have them. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
Wildlife Garden Walk
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
25-Jun 10 AM
Description: Guided walk through the Nature Center's pollinator and native gardens.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
From Cow to Cheese--the 18th-Century Whey
Rockingham Historic Site, Dutch Barn
25-Jun 1 PM
Description: Susan Plaisted from Heart to Hearth Cookery will be demonstrating cheesemaking from rennet to cheese, with historical equipment and visuals displayed, as well.
Age: all ages
Call (609) 683-7132for more information.
Week of 6/26/2023 - 6/30/2023
The Historic Trilogy
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
27-Jun 1:30 PM
Description: Power point presentation about the historical roles of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and CRRNJ Terminal.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Information Desk located inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking is available in Lot #9 across the street from the building.
Nature Walk and Craft: Insects
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
30-Jun 10 AM
Description: Guided walk to look for insects around the Nature Center followed by an insect-related craft to take home.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. If it is a hot day, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are recommended to bring with you.
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