794 Rancocas Road Mount Holly, NJ 08060 (609) 261-2495 E-mail: rancocas@njaudubon.org Directions

Hours:                        Tuesday - Saturday 9 - 5 Sunday 12 - 5                  Closed Monday Winter Schedule: The Center closes at 4 PM 11/15 through 3/15

PROGRAMS for All Ages at RNC

  The Buzz About Bees 

Saturday, May 23
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Do you know why honeybees swarm? What makes for a healthy hive? Ever seen a pollen basket? Bring your questions and your curiosity. Local beekeeper Fred Sanger will share his expertise and enthusiasm during this exciting presentation. Who knows - maybe you'll want to try backyard beekeeping this year.
Cost: members, $7 per person and $15 per family; nonmembers, $10 per person and $21 per family.

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Interpretive Trail Hike At Rancocas

Sundays, March 15, April 19, and May 17
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Join an NJAS staff person or an associate naturalist for a interpretive hike through the varied habitats at our center. It’s a great way to become familiar with our well-maintained trails. Bring a camera and binoculars; we'll stop at various scenic spots along the way. The easy pace is suitable for all ages; please use a backpack to transport small children.
Cost: free to members, $4 individual and $10 family nonmembers.

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MORNING BIRD WALKS AT RANCOCAS

Fridays 8:00 A.M., March 6, April 3, and May 1

Join an RNC associate naturalist for a “first-Friday-of-the-month” bird walk. Migrants and resident species can be found at our center. Sightings are added to the RNC bird list. Meet at the picnic tables by the parking lot. Walks begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Cost: free to members, $5 for nonmembers.

Adult Programs at Rancocas

Science for Seniors - Mark Your Calendars

Fridays, March 6, 27, April 17, and May 8 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Discovery is exciting at any age. Join other interested adults for an informative afternoon and add a new topic of conversation to Friday night's dinner. Each science and nature program will include a different theme relating to the world around us. Call the center at (609) 261-2495 for additional information. Cost: $6 for members, $9 for nonmembers.

NJAS Stewardship Walk and Talk

Saturday, May 16 10 a.m. to noon

Over the past two years, the New Jersey Audubon Society has been working with private landowners in focus areas throughout the state. Now NJAS is putting stewardship “on the ground” at the Houvnanian Sanctuary; its 512 acres in Ocean County are home to several species of threatened and endangered flora and fauna. Learn about our Stewardship Plan, upcoming restoration activities, and ways you can get involved. Immediately following the talk we will tour the Rancocas Sanctuary and include a discussion of the management techniques NJAS is utilizing for wildlife habitat restoration. Presenters: Elizabeth Ciuzio, NJAS Conservation Department, and RNC staff. Cost: members free; nonmembers $5.

Rancocas Nature Center Happenings

What's New On RNC Pages

This page has been updated with announcements for upcoming programs.

Additional Programs and field trips can be found here.

Children's Nature Series

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Sunday Adventures with Nature

Sundays, March 1, April 5, and May 3 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday afternoons can become an adventure for children aged 8 to 11. Each week, we’ll investigate a different aspect of the world around us and tie it to fun activities and a hike on the Rancocas trails. Children are encouraged to suggest areas of interest they would like to explore. Cost: members, $7 per child each session; nonmembers, $10 per child each session.

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Nature Toddlers

Fridays, March 13, 27; Saturdays, March 14, 21, 28; 10 to11:30 a.m.

This weekly program at the center is designed to engage young children, aged 3 to 5, and their parent/caregivers in songs, games, crafts, hikes, and discoveries. Each week a different nature topic relating to the spring season and the outdoor world will be explored. Cost: members, $7 per child each session; nonmembers, $10 per child each session.

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Saturday Nature Explorers

Saturdays, March 7; April 4;  May 2; 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Geared toward children aged 5 1/2 to 7, each Saturday’s program includes a creative project, games and activities, and a nature walk. A different spring topic will inspire explorations on the trail; it’s a great way for children to get out and about during a mostly indoor season. Cost: members, $7 per child each session; nonmembers, $10 per child each session.

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Little Sprouts

Fridays, April 17, 24;  May 1, 8, 15, 29; Saturdays April 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 30; 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Designed for children aged 2 1/2 to 4. Gardens are a wonderful place for young children to have a hands-on experience with nature. youngsters and their parent/caregiver will share fun filled mornings learning about garden visitors, spring flowers and fruits, and plant care around RNC's colorful Children's Garden. Children do not need to attend all weeks of the series. Cost: members, $6 per child each session; nonmembers, $10 per child each session.

Here are some pictures of the fun we had planting the gardens. To view photos of the gardens in bloom click: Children's Garden or Butterfly Garden.

Spring Field Trips

Sign up for one of these great spring trips. Space is limited, and unless otherwise noted preregistration is required.

Franklin Parker Preserve with Lloyd Shaw

Saturday, April 11 8:45 a.m. to early afternoon

Located in Chatsworth, the Franklin Parker Preserve will be the site for this Pinelands adventure. Lloyd Shaw will share his expertise as you look for local specialties. This is a joint trip with the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory. Leader: Lloyd Shaw.

Monds Island and Floodgates Road Park

Saturday April 18 9:00 a.m. to early afternoon

Along with a nesting pair of Bald Eagles, New Jersey Audubon’s Monds Island features an active Blue Heron nesting colony with over thirty nesting pairs. At Floodgates Road Park in East Greenwich, we’ll be on the lookout for early spring songbird migrants and lingering waterfowl along the Delaware River. Meet in the main parking lot at the end of Floodgates Road. 
Leaders: Gary and Margie Lizzie

Spring Wildflowers at Bowman's Hill

Saturday, April 25 9:00 a.m. to midafternoon

Enjoy the spring flowers (and perhaps a few birds) along the forest paths at the 134-acre Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. This complex of woods and fields near New Hope, Pa., features over 700 species of native flowers, ferns, shrubs, and trees in a naturalistic setting. Note that there is a $5 admission fee ($3 for seniors) to the preserve. Maximum of fifteen participants.            Leader: Karl Anderson.

Birding at Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware

Saturday May 2, 10:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon

Delaware is closer than you think. One of John Courtney’s favorites, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of habitats to explore along the Delaware Bay. Participants will carpool to salt-marsh and freshwater sites in search of waterfowl and raptors. Please call the center if interested in carpooling from New Jersey to Delaware. Leader: John Courtney.

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Cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers, unless otherwise noted.

Click here for a full list of all winter trips.

All program fees and membership dues help support the NJAS and your local NJAS Center. Membership benefits include discounts on all our programs. Consider becoming a member today.

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Photos by Steve Mattan, program participants, and RNC Staff.