Sightings  |   Join  |   Renew  |   Donate  |   Store  |   Search  

Calendar of Events 
 
Calendar of Events
 
Programs by Date
 
Special Programs
 
Weis Ecology Center
 
Lorrimer Sanctuary
 
Scherman-Hoffman Sanctuaries
 
Sandy Hook Bird Observatory
 
Plainsboro Preserve
 
Rancocas Nature Center
 
Nature Center of Cape May
 
Cape May Bird Observatory
 
Essex County Environmental Center
 
The World Series of Birding
 
Cape May Spring Weekend
 
Cape May Autumn Weekend
 
Bird Seed Sale Days
 
 

Essex County Environmental Center Calendar of Events
 

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.

CLOSINGS: Friday, July 3, for Independence Day Weekend


 

Essex County Environmental Center Information Page

A Partnership


Spring Calendar of Events

Summer, 2009

WEEKDAY MORNING BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
IN ESSEX COUNTY

Led by Dave Hall, Associate Naturalist

Have you ever wanted to bird watch but didn’t know where to begin? Would you like to find some of the hidden gems in Essex County? Let New Jersey Audubon be your guide. These walks will encourage beginners and challenge experts.
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 will occur the last week of August in Hatfield Swamp.
Space is limited; please contact Kelly Wenzel at 973.226.6082 for more information and to register.
Cost: $6 members, $8 nonmembers.

ESSEX COUNTY
BECKER FARM TRACT
Thursday, June 11

8:30 to 11:00 a.m.     
We will look for late migrants, and breeding orioles, wrens, and other birds of summer. Meet at the environmental center in Roseland.

EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION
Thursday, June 18

8:30 to 11:00 a.m.     
Take a pleasant woodland ramble looking for the birds of summer. Meet at the Memorial Plaza parking lot in West Orange overlooking New York City.

BRANCH BROOK PARK
Thursday, July 2 

8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
A walk through some of the paths of this Newark park, which holds a surprising variety of birdlife, from forest birds to ducks and herons. Meet at the northern visitors’ center.

WEEQUAHIC PARK
Thursday, July 23

9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Take an easy midsummer tour of breeding birds around the lake, including ducks and swans. Meet at the parking lot at the east end of the lake.

BROOKDALE PARK
Thursday, August 6 
    
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.     
Tour the rose garden and search for late summer birds. Meet at the grandstand parking lot, near the playground.

GROVER CLEVELAND PARK
Thursday, August 27    

8:30 to 11:00 a.m.     
We will circle the park, and also tour a nearby bird sanctuary in Essex Fells. Meet at the tennis courts of Grover Cleveland Park.

NATURE EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP

The Summer Nature Day Camp is a cooperative program between N.J. Audubon Society and the Essex County Environmental Center.
All camps run Monday through Friday. For children entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, and second grade; camps begin at 1:00 and end at 4:00 p.m. For children entering third and fourth grade, 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.
The Essex County Environmental Center is a facility of the Essex County Park System and is located in West Essex Park. 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.

Entering pre-kindergarten to kindergarten:
Beavers, Birds, and Bears Week
July 6 to 10

Campers become beavers, birds, and bears and learn how to find food, look for shelter, take care of young, and survive through all the four seasons. This week will be filled with fun facts and cool adventures.

Entering pre-kindergarten to kindergarten:
Summer Splash Week
July 13 to 17

Ever wonder how many animals live in water? Let’s look for frogs, fish, insects, and more in the Frog Pond and the Passaic River. What must it be like to live under water? Camp includes games, hikes, nature study, and more.

Entering first and second grade:
Native American Living Week
July 20 to 24

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Native American? Come join the Essex County Environmental Center tribe, and learn about the Native American tribes of New Jersey. Have fun with art, clothing, music, and tales. Enjoy our wigwam and Native American garden.

Entering first and second grade:
Wild Art Week
July 27 to 31

Do you love nature? Do you like to draw, color, paint, sketch, perform, or write poetry? Then wild art is for you. Using our five senses and our backyard habitat, let’s see how creative we can be. Campers will craft an amazing art portfolio!

Entering third and fourth grade:
Survivor Week
August 3 to 7

Campers will be challenged by scavenger hunts, shelter building, fire building, knot tying, and much more. Campers will learn to work together as a team. There will be one offsite field trip to South Mountain Reservation.

Entering third and fourth grade:
Feathered Friends Week
August 10 to 14

Become a junior birder. Campers will head out to “Bird Lane” with binoculars and field guides to find fifteen bird species. Campers will play games that teach about bird behaviors. There will be one offsite field trip the Raptor Trust.

Fees: For children entering pre-kindergarten to second grade: $130 per week per child. Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group; $95 per week per child if you are a member of N.J. Audubon Society. Proof of membership required. For children entering third and fourth grade: $170 per week per child. Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group; $135 per week per child if you are a member of N.J. Audubon Society. Proof of membership required. Click Here for membership information. Scholarships are available for families in need through the Bill Brach Scholarship Fund. Contact N.J. Audubon Society for more information on eligibility: 973.226.6082 or email Kelly Wenzel.
Preregistration and advance payment required for camp through the Essex County Environmental Center. Call 973.228.8776 for more information and/or to register. Please make checks payable to “Essex County Park System.” Cash and money orders are also accepted.

WEEKEND MORNING BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
IN ESSEX COUNTY

Led by Dave Hall, Associate Naturalist

SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION
Saturday, June 13

8:30 to 11:30 A.M.     
We will hike the trails of this large county park in search of nesting birds, including orioles, bluebirds, and woodpeckers. Meet at the Turtle Back Zoo parking lot.

HATFIELD SWAMP
Saturday, July 11

8:30 to 11:30 A.M.
This gem has many of the best breeding birds in Essex County. Bring bug repel-lant. Meet at the Kings parking lot in West Caldwell, close to Passaic Avenue.

HATFIELD SWAMP
Saturday, August 29    

8:00 to 11:00 A.M.     
Explore under the power lines for migrant hummingbirds and other early fall migrants. Bring bug repellant. Meet at the Kings parking lot in West Caldwell, close to Passaic Avenue.
 

Members receive discounts on program fees. If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.  

 

Copyright © 2008 New Jersey Audubon Society
All rights reserved.