EVERY DAY AT LORRIMER SANCTUARY

2011 CIDERFEST

Sunday, October 23 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Join us for any one of the field trips listed below led by our Senior Naturalist, Patrick Scheuer. All trips will start at 8:00 a.m. lasting until around 11am (potentially a little bit later if the birding is good!) . Preregistration is required by mailing your registration fee, along with address and daytime phone number, at least one week prior to each trip. Directions to meeting place will be phoned or mailed upon receipt of registration.

Cost per trip: $8 members, $12 non-members

These two areas, along a tributary of the Hackensack River, comprise about 225 acres of tidal creeks and brackish marshes. In 1998 the NJ Meadowlands Commission began enhancing the area which is now an important breeding area and migratory rest-stop for many species of songbirds, ducks, and shorebirds. We’ll walk the trails at Mill Creek Marsh then caravan a short way to Mill Creek Point.

Once known only as a garbage dump, the tidal flats and marshes are now an important resting and feeding place for migrating birds. This trip will focus on late fall migrants and winter residents of the marshes. This trip is a good opportunity to see several species of ducks and raptors.

The Upper Delaware River in the scenic Pocono Mountains is a winter stronghold for the majestic Bald Eagle. As rivers and lakes to the north freeze over, eagles along with ducks and other waterfowl, move southward in search of open water along the Upper Delaware River. What better way to start the New Year than by seeing our national bird in action?

Liberty State Park hosts and impressive gathering of wintering waterfowl, other water birds, and raptors. Possibilities include: Great Cormorant, Northern Harrier, and Long-eared Owl. Great birding plus great views of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Van departs Lorrimer Sanctuary at 4:00pm and returns around 9:00pm Also called timberdoodle, googly-eyes, and bogsucker, the American Woodcock has a wonderful and somewhat humorous courtship display. For this van trip we’ll travel to a woodcock hotspot in the Delaware Water Gap National Park to witness the nuptial dance of this unusual bird. Along the way, we’ll scan the Delaware River for Bald Eagles and stop at the Pocono EE Center for a BYO dinner. The woodcock show begins after dinner, just as the sun sets. Limited to 12 participants so register early!

$27 members, $35 non-members

(Orders due by December 1) Pick up preordered seed 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lorrimer Sanctuary. NJAS sells the highest quality seed, and your purchase goes directly to our education and conservation programs. Be sure to check in at the Gift Shop for special sales and warm refreshments! Order forms are sent to members prior to the sale. If you did not receive an order form or would like one, call or stop by Lorrimer Sanctuary.

The Lorrimer Sanctuary invites families, friends, and nature lovers of all ages to join us for an exploration of the winter world. Educational and fun, these Family Nature Programs are perfect for beginning naturalists and their families. Pre-registration is required for all programs.

Members: $12 per family, non-members: $15 per family (unless noted otherwise)

Join our sanctuary director Pat Scheuer for this special family hike to Ramapo Lake and back. Along the way we’ll keep an eye out for resident wildlife and signs of the fall season. Once at the lake, frogs, snakes, and turtles can be found basking on the shorelines. The trail is about two miles and suitable for children ages 5 and up. Bring snack to enjoy by the lake!

Before winter’s chill sets in, plants release their seeds to ensure the next generation. The seeds have adapted different ways of getting around--some float on the wind, others stick to clothes and fur, and some are passed through the digestive tract of birds and other animals. Come explore the sanctuary's woods and fields for the different kinds of seeds found there.

Saturday, December 10 - BIRD SEED SALE DAYS (Orders due by November 14)

Pick up preordered seed 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lorrimer Sanctuary. NJAS sells the highest quality seed, and your purchase goes directly to our education and conservation programs. Be sure to check in at the Gift Shop for special sales and warm refreshments! If you did not receive an order form or would like one, call or stop by Lorrimer Sanctuary.

Scout programs at the Lorrimer Nature Sanctuary

Get on track with nature this season at the Lorrimer Nature Sanctuary. We’re offering these special programs to all scout groups now through August, 2012. All programs are taught by professional naturalist Pat Scheuer on our 14-acre nature sanctuary. Wilderness Survival. A scout favorite! Learn what it takes to survive in the wilderness. Students will learn how to prepare for a hike, use a map and compass, build a survival shelter, collect water, and make fire the primitive way. What you learn could save your life! Radical Reptiles. Often feared and misunderstood, reptiles are among the most incredible and fascinating animals on the planet. Through demonstrations, discussion, and class participation, this program will allow your troop an up-close look at live turtles and snakes in a safe and respectful environment. Incredible Insects. Your scouts will really ’bug out’ over this program! Learn what makes an insect an insect and discover the ecological roles they play, their habitats, and their adaptations. Using nets and bug boxes, we’ll venture into insect habitats to collect and observe some insect specimens. Animal Tracking and Observation. Native Americans relied on their ability to track and find animals for survival. Today, learning to track animals is a skill anyone can learn – even in their own backyard. Find out what animals do when we’re not looking by searching the sanctuary for clues like tracks, scats, nests, and homes. Orienteering 101. Have you ever been lost in the woods? Learn the basics of using a map and compass to find your way through the outdoors. After a brief indoor lesson, we’ll head outside to put your skills to the test on our orienteering course.

Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts: All About Birds, Earth Connections, Wildlife, Your Outdoor Surroundings. WEBELOS BADGES

Forester: Learn how to identify trees and plants in the area using field guides. Find out how both animals and people use this valuable resource.

Naturalist: Participants will study the ecology of the forest with a hands-on hike in search of plants and animals. WOLF AND BEAR

Sharing Your World with Wildlife (Achievement #5): Participants will learn about local wildlife and the places they live. Find out how animals are protected and what endangered species are. Birds (Elective #13): Find out all about the basics of birds. Through games, outdoor exploration, and bird-watching, participants will discover physical adaptations and behavioral differences among birds. Building for Birds: Feeders or Houses*: Help the birds in your backyard by building a feeder (autumn) or a birdhouse (spring).

*Additional per-scout cost for materials. Programs are 1- to 1½-hours long and cost $5 per participant or $75 for groups of less than 15. A $75 deposit per program is required to hold your reservation. Payment of any remaining balance is due upon arrival on the date of the program.

To schedule a visit, please contact us at 201.891.2185. To facilitate scheduling, please call with several possible program dates and times – we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Supervision and discipline of participants is the responsibility of the chaperones at all times. Please make sure all students are dressed for the weather.  

Parents, are you looking for a fun AND educational way to celebrate your child’s upcoming birthday? How about a party with a nature theme at the Lorrimer Sanctuary? The birthday celebration includes: Two-hour rental of our classroom, including a one-hour program conducted by one of our expert naturalists. Call Lorrimer for seasonally available program choices and birthday activities.

Setup/Cleanup: We will provide the tables, chairs, garbage and recycling cans.

Parents are responsible for tablecloths (optional), plates, cups, flatware, napkins, food, and beverages. Lorrimer Sanctuary is available for birthday parties on both Saturdays and Sundays after 1:00 P.M. and can be scheduled as late as 4:00 P.M. Birthday celebrations last for two hours, and additional time can be scheduled in half-hour increments for an additional $50 per half-hour. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required to hold your space. Spaces fill up quickly, so please register in advance! Limit: 20 children.

Cost: $150 for members, $200 for non-members.

Don’t forget the Lorrimer Sanctuary gift shop, where you can get everything on your shopping gift list. We carry books, field guides, binoculars, videos, CDs and tapes, bird feeders, T-shirts, puppets, nature gift items, and more.

THANKS to our young volunteers Michal Krasnow, Brian Moran, and Colin Knight for keeping the animals clean and happy and for all the other hard work.

THANKS to Ramapo College, the Academy of Holy Angels, and all the Eagle Scouts for the trail work.

THANKS to all of our summer camp counselors for another great camp season.

A big “THANK YOU” to all our volunteers who donate their time and energy to NJAS and the Lorrimer Sanctuary: Jackie Arkin, Michele Svedrofsky, and Ingrid Kenrick for staffing the store every week (you guys are doing GREAT with the new POS system!); Gordon Schultze for his continued support in the store and in the field; the Fyke Nature Association for its support of Lorrimer Sanctuary; Pat Brotherton for updating the bulletin board every season; Randy Zeberl for maintaining the honey bee hives (Lorrimer honey is on sale now!); Sam Upchurch for all the photography work; Abma’s Farm for their continued support of the apple cider programs, and everyone else.

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