Join EarthShare New Jersey and experience New Jersey! ESNJ members are hosting activities at Liberty State Park, the Meadowlands, the Pinelands, Cape May and everywhere in between. You don’t want to miss out. Fall is a great time to explore the Garden State!
The 2nd Annual EarthShare New Jersey week will take place from September 10 – 18, 2011 and marks the kick-off of the fall workplace giving campaign season. Workplaces across New Jersey host their campaigns each fall which allow employees to donate to environmental charities. Donors from private employers, Federal Government, State of NJ, Municipalities and school districts across NJ have all chosen to give their gifts to our environment.
Find out more about our members so that you too may choose to support the environment in your workplace campaign this year! While we wish we could highlight the work of each of our more than 60 members, time is limited. Here are groups that are participating in this event:
September 10 & 11 Hackensack Riverkeeper All Day
Join us for the 8th Annual Meadowlands Festival of Birding. Participants of all skill levels go on guided field trips (walks, cruises and paddles) with NJ Audubon guides and other great area birders. This year’s keynote speaker is Sandy Komito, a veteran bird chaser who holds the North American record for most bird species seen in one year, and is featured in the movie The Big Year, set to be released in October. For more information or to register visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/BirdFest11.htm or call 201-968-0808. Cost is $40/person for this two-day event. Ticket price includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday, workshops, field trips. All ages welcome.
September 10 Friends of Liberty State Park 9:00 am to noon
Volunteers are invited to help take care of the plants at Liberty State Park. No experience necessary. Co-sponsored by Friends of Liberty State Park and Liberty State Park. For more information, call Maria, LSP’s horticulturist at 201-915-3418 or email lspgardening@verizon.net. Takes place every Saturday of the year except holidays.
September 10 Natural Resource Education Foundation 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Join us for the 2nd Annual Bounty of the Bay celebration at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown. Enjoy seafood selections from the Bay, seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade desserts, music and a silent auction to benefit NREF and the Lighthouse Center. For more information or to register visit www.experiencebarnegatbay.org. ($25/person)
September 12 – 27 South Branch Watershed Association By appointment
Raritan Township residents can have their well water tested for coliform bacteria and nitrate for just $50 (testing for other contaminants is available at additional costs). Sponsored by the township Environmental Commission and the South Branch Watershed Association. Raritan Twp. residents may purchase well-testing kits from Sept. 12 until Sept. 27 at the Raritan Twp Municipal Bldg. Water samples may be dropped off on Sept. 26 & 28 at the Municipal Bldg. between 7:00 -10:00 am. For information, call SBWA at 782-0422, ext. 10.
September 12 – 16 Pinelands Preservation Alliance 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Visit the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) and take a tour of our historic (ca 1763 farmhouse and the 1932 Louden barn, browse the native plant gardens or walk the trail around the property. PPA’s Pinelands Visitor Center has the latest trail maps and park information and a wide variety of Pinelands and nature-related books, merchandise and art for sale. The classic green “Top 10 Reasons to Protect the Pinelands” T-shirt is an annual favorite along with the PPA baseball cap.
September 13 Flat Rock Brook Nature Association 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Adults and children ages 10 and older are invited to take a guided sunset hike along the trails of Flat Rock Brook. Hikes are 2-3 miles. Meet at the parking lot gazebo, every Tuesday in September. For more information call 201-567-1265.(Free/members & $5/non-members)
September 13 Flat Rock Brook Nature Association 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Toddler Times: Children ages 2-5 and a parent or favorite adult are invited to explore nature with a story, craft and an outdoor hike. Registration by mail is required. For more information call 201-567-1265.
($5/members, $8/non-members)
September 13 New Jersey Conservation Foundation 10:00 to 11:00 am
Yoga Outdoors: Kathleen, a certified yoga instructor, will lead meditative and body strengthening exercises on the beautiful grounds of the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center. All levels of practice are welcome. Bring your own mat if you have one. A limited supply will be available. Registration is requested but not required. $5 donation if you wish. For more information call 908-234-1225.
September 15 Flat Rock Brook Nature Association 8:30 am to 10:30 am
Adults of all skill levels are invited to volunteer with Flat Rock Brook gardeners to maintain the native plant gardens at the Nature Center every Thursday morning in September. The company is fun, the work rewarding and educational, and the results are beautiful and beneficial to animals. No gardening experience necessary, just bring willing hands and a set of gloves! There is a ten minute mini-lesson before each session. No need to register.
(Free)
September 15 Flat Rock Brook Nature Association 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Toddler Times: Children ages 2-5 and a parent or favorite adult are invited to explore nature with a story, craft and an outdoor hike. Registration by mail is required. For more information call 201-567-1265. ($5/members, $8/non-members)
September 16 – 17 American Littoral Society 24 hours
The 24 hour Sandy Hook Bioblitz pits 9 teams of scientists against each other as they race against the clock to identify the most species in this unique coastal ecosystem inside of Gateway National Recreation Area in Highlands New Jersey. Activities for kids and families include the Junior Bioblitz, seining sessions, moonlight moth hunt and opportunities to see real scientists at work are guaranteed to whet kids’ appetites for the natural sciences. For more information email Stevie@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055. (Free)
September 16 The Wetlands Institute 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Join us for the Wings ’n Water Festival Opening Night Benefit Auction under the Big Top tent. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, 200+ Silent Auction items and a Live Auction with over 30 items (unique trips, dinners, experiences, original artwork and more). A general admission ticket is $60/person. For more information visit www.wetlandsinstitute.org or call (609) 368-1211.
September 17 & 18 The Wetlands Institute 10:00 to 4:00 pm
Join us for the 29th Annual Wings ‘n Water Wildlife Festival a family-fun celebration of the coast with over 30 different hands-on activities for all ages to enjoy. Visitors are able to view and purchase original art along with speaking to the actual artists. Weekend activities include a Wine Tasting, fresh and local seafood, turtle releases, kayak tours, boat cruises, children’s activities, bird watching, and much more. For more information visit www.wetlandsinstitute.org or call (609) 368-1211. (Fee: Adults $12; Children $5)
September 17 & 18 Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Attend the 2nd Annual NJ Wild Outdoor Expo at Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson and discover the outdoors. Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey has partnered with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Parks and Forestry in hosting this event. The Expo offers a unique blend of conservation education and hands-on opportunities to learn outdoor skills and activities. Visitors can experience a wide array of activities, including fishing, hiking, shooting sports, kayaking, rock climbing, camping, wildlife watching and more. This event is free. For more information visit www.conservewildlifenj.org or call 609-292-3707
September 17 Friends of Liberty State Park 9:00 am to noon
Volunteers are invited to help take care of the plants at Liberty State Park. No experience necessary. Co-sponsored by Friends of Liberty State Park and Liberty State Park. For more information, call Maria, LSP’s horticulturist at 201-915-3418 or email lspgardening@verizon.net. Takes place every Saturday of the year except holidays.
September 18 Flat Rock Brook Nature Association 10:00 am to noon
Volunteer project: Adults and children ages 8 and older will help plant native species as part of a habitat restoration project. Contact Ryan at 201-567-1265. (Free)