621 Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ 07068
Phone: 973.228.8776 / Fax: 973.228.3793
Building hours: Monday to
Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. / Closed Sundays
Trails: Open dawn to dusk seven
days a week.
CLOSURES:
Friday, July 4, for Independence
Day.
A Partnership —
Summer 2008
WEEKDAY MORNING FIELD
TRIPS IN ESSEX COUNTY
Led by Dave Hall
Early morning summer walks to enjoy the rich
diversity of Essex County parks. Summer is the time to see,
hear, and learn the species of birds that nest in Essex County.
Early migrants could begin passing through by late July. Peak
flights of migrant hummingbirds in Hatfield Swamp will occur
during the last week of August.
Cost: $6 members, $8 nonmembers.
WEEQUAHIC PARK
Thursday, June 19
9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
An early summer tour of breeding birds around the lake,
including ducks, herons, and swans. Meet at the parking area
near the east end of the lake, at the Empire Street entrance.
BECKER TRACT
Thursday, July 3
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
We’ll take an easy stroll along the paths that once crossed
Becker Farm in Roseland. This is an excellent place to look for
breeding orioles, wrens, and other birds of summer. Meet at the
Essex County Environmental Center.
EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION
Thursday, July 17
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
A pleasant woodland ramble looking for the birds of summer. This
West Orange site combines spectacular vistas of the New York
skyline and good wildlife habitat. Meet at the park’s Memorial
Plaza parking lot.
GROVER CLEVELAND PARK
Thursday, July 31
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
We will circle the park, and we’ll also tour a nearby bird
sanctuary in Essex Fells. Meet at the tennis courts of Grover
Cleveland Park in Caldwell.
BROOKDALE PARK
Thursday, August 28
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
We will explore the formal rose garden in the park and search
for late summer birds. Meet at the grandstand parking lot near
the playground.
WEEKEND MORNING FIELD
TRIPS IN ESSEX COUNTY
Led by Dave Hall and Andy Lamy
Cost: $6 members, $8 nonmembers.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION
Sunday, June 1
7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Led by Andy Lamy. This is a great time to explore the
reservation for lingering migrants, uncommon breeders, and other
forest birds. We will hike the trails in search of Eastern
Bluebirds, Pine Warblers, and Pileated Woodpeckers. Meet at the
Turtle Back Zoo parking lot.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN
RESERVATION II
Saturday, June 14
7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Led by Andy Lamy. We will look for summer breeders and deep
forest birds on the western slope of South Mountain Reservation.
Bird songs will also be studied. Meet at Old Short Hills Park.
HATFIELD SWAMP
Saturday, June 28
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Led by Dave Hall. This is one of the best places in Essex County
for breeding birds and other wildlife. Bring bug repellant and
appropriate footwear, as it may be wet in places. Meet at the
parking lot of King’s Supermarket in West Caldwell, near the
corner of Bloomfield and Passaic Avenues.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN
RESERVATION III
Saturday, July 12
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Led by Dave Hall. An excellent place and time to find breeding
summer birds. We will hike one of the back trails of this large
county park in search of Eastern Bluebirds and woodpeckers. Meet
at the Turtle Back Zoo parking lot.
HATFIELD SWAMP II
Saturday, August 30
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Led by Dave Hall. Explore the park for migrant hummingbirds and
other early fall migrants. Bring bug repellant and appropriate
footwear, as it may be wet in places. Meet at the parking lot of
King’s Supermarket in West Caldwell, near the corner of
Bloomfield and Passaic Avenues.
NATURE EXPLORERS SUMMER
CAMP
The Summer Nature Day Camp is a cooperative
program of the New Jersey Audubon Society and the Essex County
Environmental Center.
The Essex County Environmental Center is a
facility of the Essex County Parks System and is located in West
Essex Park in Roseland. The grounds include approximately one
mile of trails, a raised boardwalk, and a wooded wetland habitat
with access to the upper Passaic River. Weather permitting, all
children will be expected to explore outdoors. Upon
registration, each child will receive an information packet
detailing what they can expect and how to prepare for camp.
All camps run Monday to Friday
For children entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, and
second grades. Camps begin at 1:00 and end at 4:00 p.m.
For children entering third and fourth grades, camps begin at
1:00 and end at 5:00 p.m.
Children will be required to be signed in and out at the ECEC
front desk each day.
Entering pre-kindergarten to
kindergarten:
Bugs and Butterflies Week
July 7 to 11
Explore the wonders of insects with a fascinating week full
of facts, fun, games, stories, and crafts. Learn how
butterflies migrate, watch dragonflies dance on the river,
investigate where insects fit into the food web, and create
a bug to take home!
Entering pre-kindergarten to kindergarten:
Budding Birders Week
July 14 to 18
Discover the amazing world of birds. Explore how we identify
birds and learn how different birds use songs and unique
behaviors to communicate. This action-packed week is filled
with bird games, crafts, stories, and hikes.
Entering first and second grades:
Reptiles and Amphibians Week
July 21 to 25
Discover what makes their home in the wetlands of the
Passaic River floodplain. Learn how to find frogs,
salamanders, snakes, and turtles while they do all they can
to hide and escape. Also learn their value to the
environment.
Entering first and second grades:
Junior Birders Week
July 28 to August 1
Birds can move pretty fast. Take a hike in our wetlands to
learn how birders use bird calls and nest identification to
learn more about our feathered friends. Also learn how birds
fly, why they migrate, and how they collect their food.
Entering third and fourth grades:
Junior Naturalist
August 4 to 8
Campers will be involved in experiences that explore the
habitats of the Passaic Watershed. They will learn about the
animals and plants that live here, as well as find out where
the Passaic River starts and ends. There will be one offsite
field trip to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Entering third and fourth grades:
Junior Biologist
August 11 to 15
Campers will learn about threatened and endangered species
that make their home in New Jersey. They will discover how
biologists help these species, and then complete a project
that shows their new expertise. There will be one offsite
field trip to the Turtle Back Zoo.
Fees for children entering pre-kindergarten to
second grades: Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in
their age group. Fee is $95 per week per child if you are a
member of N.J. Audubon (proof of membership required), $130 per
week per child for nonmembers.
Fees for children entering third and fourth grades: Children may
be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group. Fee is
$135 per week per child if you are a member of N.J. Audubon
(proof of membership required), $170 per week per child for
nonmembers.
Contact the N.J. Audubon Society at 908.204.8998 for membership
information. Scholarships are available for families in need
through the Bill Brach Scholarship Fund. Contact N.J. Audubon
for more information on eligibility: 973.226.6082 or
laurie.sindlinger@njaudubon.org.
Preregistration and advance payment required for camps through
the Essex County Environmental Center. Call 973.228.8776 for
more information and/or to register. Please make checks payable
to “Essex County Parks System.” Cash and money orders are also
accepted.
Volunteer for the First-Ever
BIO-BLITZ AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION
June 20 and 21
A bio-blitz is a twenty-four-hour effort to sample and identify
flora and fauna of a specific natural area, in this case Essex
County’s 2,047-acre South Mountain Reservation. Volunteers and
scientists will work together to create a snapshot of the park’s
biodiversity. This event will take place from 5:00 p.m. Friday,
June 20, to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21. In addition to the
sampling and identification efforts, there will be fun family
activities planned throughout the day on Saturday, June 21.
NJAS is pleased to support this event, which is sponsored by
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.; the Essex
County Board of Chosen Freeholders; the Essex County Department
of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs; the Rahway River
Association, and the South Mountain Conservancy. To become a
volunteer or for more information, please contact Tara M.
Casella at the Essex County Environmental Center at
973.228.8776.
Members receive discounts on program fees. If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider
Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.
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