LEARN ABOUT HIKING, GARDENING, NATURE, BIRDS, BUGS,
PHOTOGRAPHY, CRAFTS, COOKING, YOGA, WOODTURNING AND MORE
AT THE ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Invites Children and Families
to Expand their Understanding and Appreciation of the Environment
Essex County, NJ – A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of April 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 May are as follows:
“Birding Hike in Greenwood Gardens” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Tour the site in search of spring migrants. Explore several habitats including a hardwood forest, conifer stands, ponds and meadows, and venture into Essex County South Mountain Reservation through the "back door" to see who is stopping over. Cost is $10 for NJA and Greenwood Gardens members, and $12 for non-members. For more information about Greenwood Gardens, visit www.greenwoodgardens.org. Registration with Greenwood Gardens is required for this trip; please e-mail info@greenwoodgardens.org or call 973.258.4026. Meet at Greenwood Gardens, 274 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Greenwood Gardens
274 Old Short Hills Road
Short Hills, NJ
“Thursday Evening Yoga Series” is geared for adults. This all-levels yoga series will focus on alignment, flow and warmth followed by a restorative pose to unwind the body and mind for bed. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $50 for the series. Advance registration and monthly payment is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. No refunds will be given for missed classes. Thursday Evening Yoga is scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2013
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Friday Morning Yoga” is geared for adults. This class will introduce adult beginners to the many joys of yoga. Breathing synchronized with movement will warm the body and relax the mind. Participants will focus on joint mobility and healing stillness. All levels are welcome. Join for the series or just one class. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Friday Morning Yoga is scheduled as follows:
Date: Fridays, May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2013
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Little Sprouts Gardening Club” is for children ages 3½ to 5 who are accompanied by an adult. The simple act of gardening opens up a world of growth, learning and enjoyment for young children. This small, age-appropriate class will allow children to discover a real connection with living things and explore the “real dirt” of gardening. Cost is $10 per child per session (includes a $3 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Little Sprouts Gardening Club will be held as follows:
Date: Fridays, May 3 & 17, 2013
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Tuesday Afternoon Yoga” is for adults. This class will explore the many joys of yoga. Breathing synchronized with movement will warm the body and relax the mind. Participants will focus on joint mobility and healing stillness. All levels are welcome. Come for the series or just one class. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Tuesday Afternoon Yoga will be held as follows:
Dates: Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2013
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Tuesday Evening Yoga Flow” is for adults. This is a vibrant vinyasa class that will engage, uplift and refresh. Flowing with your breath through the poses, participants will build strength and stamina, while stilling the mind and accessing inner peace. This is an open-level class where modifications will be offered and those with no prior experience are welcome; however, this class is physically challenging. Come for the series or just one class. Cost is $15 per class or $12 per class if signing up for the series. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Tuesday Evening Yoga Flow will be held as follows:
Dates: Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, & 28 2013
Time: 6:15p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Starlab Adventures” is a family-oriented program. Essex County 4-H presents a program explaining the tales and folklore of constellations and exploring the stories of cultures from around the world. All ages are welcome to join this exploration of the night sky and participants will take home tools to use in their own night sky observations. Portions of the program will be in complete darkness and participants will be required to crawl through a tunnel to access the star lab. Cost is $11 per person and children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 104. Starlab Adventures will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Nature Crafts with Children” is geared for children ages 7 to 12. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the Earth by making crafts. Cost is $8 per child per session (includes a $2 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Crafts with Children will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Xeriscape Gardening” is for adults. Rutgers Master Gardeners will teach participants how to have successful and green gardens while conserving water. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $9 per adult. Advance registration required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Xeriscape Gardening will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Campfire Cooking” is for adults. Participants will build a proper campfire for cooking and eat some simple meals and snacks cooked over flames. This class is designed for parents who plan to take their children camping or scout leaders planning to cook with the kids on the next scout camp adventure. Cost is $15 per person. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Campfire Cooking will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2013
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Kitchen Little Cooking Club” is for children ages 3 to 5 who are accompanied by an adult. The class will explore how to cook some of nature’s produce. Participants will measure, mix and bake some special healthy treats. The best part, of course, is the tasting at the end! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child per session (additional material fees included). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Kitchen Little Cooking Club will be held as follows:
Date: Friday, May 10, 2013
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Mother’s Day Annual Plant Sale” is open to the public. Stop by the Rutgers Master Gardener’s annual plant sale for a wide variety of annuals, perennials, ornamentals, shrubs, small trees, vegetables and hanging baskets. Admission is free but plants will be for sale. For more details, call the Rutgers Master Gardeners’ Helpline at 973-228-2210 from Monday to Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Mother’s Day Annual Plant Sale will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Birding Blitz” is for children ages 4 to 12 and their family. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of NJ Audubon’s famous World Series of Birding with a birding blitz at the Essex County Environmental Center. Participants will learn how to identify common woodland and backyard birds and help create a complete bird list for the Environmental Center. Cost is $5 for NJA members and $7 for non-members. For information, call 973-228-8776. Birding Blitz will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“PLT Professional Development: Recycling Education Workshop” is designed for educators working in classrooms and nature centers with elementary and middle school students. Activities include a trash timeline, litter bits game, green choice scenarios, paper making, composting with delightful decomposers, exploring solid waste issues and more. Cost is $15 (limited scholarships are available for Essex County urban aid district teachers; call the Center for details). Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Recycling Education Workshop will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 13, 2013
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Outside Nature Discoveries Club” for children ages 5 and 6. Come venture into the wooded wetland at the Environmental Center with magnifiers, trowels, containers and more to observe living things in their environment. The curriculum is not structured; students will discover as they explore. Dress for the weather as all classes will be outside. Cost is $7 per child per session. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Outside Nature Discoveries Club will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 13, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“4-H Lego Club” is for children in grades 3 through 6. Members will use their imaginations to build animals, castles, and more with other children who are interested in Legos. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Lego Club will be held as follows:
Monday Class: Monday, May 13, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Saturday Class: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Garibaldi Hall
Roseland, NJ
“Bug Club” is for children ages 6 to 10. The Bug Club is devoted to young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets year-round. Cost is $7 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bug Club will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“4-H Young Gardeners Club” is for children in grades 1 through 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 Young Gardener's 4-H Club to find the answers to these questions and more. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, please call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Young Gardeners Club will be held as follows:
Dates: Tuesdays, May 14 & 28, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Nature Discovery Garden Club” is for children ages 7 to 12. Whether the garden is outdoors or a pot on a windowsill, students will learn about how plants live and grow. They will discover how weather, temperature and seasons affect all living things, how living things come out of seeds and soil, how earthworms, bees and other wildlife help in the garden and how the environment works together like an amazing puzzle. Cost is $10 per child per session (includes a $3 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Discovery Garden Club will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Birding Hike in Essex County Hilltop Reservation” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Explore edge and meadow habitats for spring migrants with an easy walk through the reservation. Meet at Mountain Avenue and Courter Lane, North Caldwell. This is a free hike. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 or kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.orgfor more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Site: Essex County Hilltop Reservation
Mountain Avenue & Courter Lane
North Caldwell, NJ
“4-H Environmental Kids Club” is for children in grades 2 through 6. Nature is filled with things, big and small, that surprise and help us. Find out how much fun it is to learn about the world. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Hawk Identification Workshop” is for adults. Pete Bacinski, Program Director for All Things Birds, will present a program to help participants learn to identify hawks. After taking the class, come out for ‘Hawk Watching at Essex County Kip’s Castle Park’ on Saturday, May 18th and the Hawk Watch is free. Meet at Garibaldi Hall. Cost for the workshop is $20 for NJA members and $25 for non-members. Hawk Identification Workshop will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Hawk Watching at Essex County Kip’s Castle Park” is for families. Experience the late spring hawk migration and spectacular valley views off of First Mountain in Verona. If you need to brush up on hawk identification, participate in Pete Bacinski’s ‘Hawk Identification Workshop’ on Thursday, May 16th and the Hawk Watch is free. Participants are encouraged to bring a folding chair, hat, snack and water. Cost is $6 for NJA members and $8 for non-members. Hawk Watching will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Essex County Kip’s Castle Park
22 Crestmont Road
Verona, NJ
“Morning Paddle” is for adults and children ages 10 and up who are accompanied by an adult. Take a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River. Paddlers will enjoy scenery and peacefulness as they paddle up the river and then float down slowly at the pace of the river. The session includes paddling safety, techniques and all equipment. It is appropriate for beginners and children ages 10 and up who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Cost is $30 per canoe or $15 per person. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Morning Paddle will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Wild Vegetable Fermentation” is for adults. This workshop will provide information about how to make healthy fermented foods at home without the use of electricity or refrigeration. Foods include sauerkraut, pickles and kimchee. Participants will explore the process of fermentation, the many ways of flavoring with spices, tasting and adding fermented foods to existing meals. In addition, the magic and sacredness of the process from the alchemical perspective and the healing effects of consuming these nourishing, healing foods will be discussed. Each person will leave with a jar of fermented “kraut-chee” and the knowledge to care for it, eat it, and make lots more. Cost is $30. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Wild Vegetable Fermentation will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Horticulture for Seniors” is a specially-designed horticulture class for senior citizens that is offered by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County. This month’s topic is Making a Container Garden. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. This is a free class. Advance registration is required one week prior to program. For information, call 973-379-5488 or 973-731-0717. Horticulture for Seniors will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 20, 2013
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Green Kids Club” is for children ages 7 to 12. Discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects. Cost is $7 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Green Kids Club will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Kids in the Kitchen Club” is for children ages 8 to 12. This class will help children who have an interest in cooking develop kitchen skills. Participants will prepare an array of foods with a healthy-and-tasty goal in mind. Some examples are pizza, cookies, kale chips, fresh applesauce, and more! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child per session (additional material fees included). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Kids in the Kitchen Club will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Emergency Preparation Basics” is for adults. In this class, participants will learn how to be better prepared and more self-reliant, including how to store food, purify water, survival psychology, and what to have for times of need. Having a house kit, a car kit, and personal kit and what items you should have in it will be discussed. Learn some of the basics to be empowered when the power goes out and to ensure that a little bit of extra skill can go a long way. Cost is $20. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Emergency Preparation Basics will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2013
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Memorial Day Paddle” is for adults and children ages 10 and up who are accompanied by an adult. Take a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River. Paddlers will enjoy scenery and peacefulness as they paddle up the river and then float down slowly at the pace of the river. The session includes paddling safety and techniques and all equipment. It is appropriate for beginners and children 10 and up who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Cost is $30 per canoe or $15 per person. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Memorial Day Paddle will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 27, 2013
Times: 10:30 a.m. OR 2 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A 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 22 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
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