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Rancocas Nature Center Calendar

Rancocas Nature Center
794 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Phone: 609.261.2495 / Fax: 609.261.9916
E-mail: rancocas@njaudubon.org /
Web site: www.njaudubon.org/sectioncenters/sectionrancocas
Register for fee based programs by calling with credit card or mailing your check with program date and title.  For printable versions:Winter Center Focus, click here and the1/20/2012 revised Spring Center Focus, click here. For 2012 Summer Nature Camp, click here.

Children's Nature Series 

Nature Toddlers (AM 10-11; PM 1:30-2:30) 

  • Series 1 Wednesday March 14, 21, 28; April 4
  • Series 2 Wednesday April 18, 25, May 2 and 9
  • Series 3 Wednesday, May 23 and 30

Young children are naturally curious about their surroundings.  The Nature Toddler series teaches children aged 3 to 5 years about the natural world around them.  Through age-appropriate hands-on activities, stories, short hikes, and crafts, children can share educational experiences with their parent/caregiver.  Each week offers a different environmental theme that utilizes the Rancocas gardens, trails, and Dragonfly Pond to reinforce the outdoor experience.  Please preregister for the series.  Cost:  members, $25/child for the series; nonmembes, $38/child for the series.

Saturday Nature Explorers Saturdays, 2/4, 3/3; 4/7, 5/5 (1 to 3 pm)

The Rancocas Nature Center is an exciting place to spend a Saturday afternoon.  A different environmental topic each week will inspire explorations on the trail.  Nurture your child's awareness of the natural world and start them on the path to "growing up green."  Children can participate in Nature Explorers on their own, with a friend, or with a parent or other caregiver.  It's a great venue for sharing the beauty of the natural world with your children or grandchildren.  Cost:  members $7/person for each session; nonmembers $10/person for each session.

Programs for all Ages  All programs require advance registration.

Interpretive Trail Hike at Rancocas Sunday:  2/5; 3/4; 4/1; 5/6 (1 to 2 pm) 
On the first Sunday of each month, join an NJ Audubon staff member or associate naturalist for an interpretive hike through our varied habitats. It’s a great way to become familiar with our well-maintained trails. Bring a camera and/or binoculars; we’ll stop at various scenic spots along the way. The easy pace is suitable for all ages, but please use a child carrier to transport small children. Cost: free for members; for nonmembers $4/person, $10/family.

Connect with Nature Series  Register in advance.

Maple Sugaring Sunday, 2/19/2012  (1:30 to 3:30 pm)

What a tasty way to spend a winter afternoon! Bring the whole family and enjoy a program about maple sugaring, the oldest continuous industry in North America.  Learn about the sugar maple tree and the history of maple sugaring, observe a tapping demonstration, and enjoy a maple syrup tasting.  To ward off the chills, we'll have an old-fashioned campfire burning.  Cost:  members, $7/person, $15/family; nonmembers, $10/person, $21/family.

Salamander Sunday Sunday, 3/25  (1:30 to 3:30 pm)

Every spring like clockwork, these elusive amphibians emerge from hibernation as the days warm and the daylight extends.  Females of the species migrate to a vernal pool or wetland to deposit their eggs, and the fascinating cycle of the next generation begins to unfold.  The afternoon's activity will include a hike to search for the three species of salamanders that make Rancocas their home.  Boots are provided or you can bring your own.  Cost:  NJA members $7/person & $15/family (limit 5); nonmembers $10/person & $24/family (limit 5).

Celebrate Earth Day at Rancocas  Sunday, 4/15 (1:30 to 3:30 pm)

Celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day.  It's a time to thank the earth for its bounty and focus on what we need to do to conserve and protect our important resources.  Through interactive activities and games such as "The Incredible Journey" and "Recycling Relay," children and adults will learn about the environment and how to live a "green" lifestyle.  The afternoon will include a tour of Rancocas streams and Dragonfly pond, and demonstrations of backyard composting and rain barrels.  This program is engaging for all ages.  Cost:  NJA members $7/person & $15/family (limit 5); nonmembers $10/person & $24/family (limit 5).

Birds, Bees, and Butterflies in Your Backyard  Sunday, 5/20 (1:30 to 3:30 pm)

Take an afternoon tour of the Rancocas meadows and experience the colors of spring.  A variety of flora and fauna can be found in these maintained habitats.  With binoculars, field guides, and ID cards, identifying the common species is easy.  Participants will also learn tips on creating a wildlife habitat to attract birds, bees, and butterflies to their own backyard.  Loaner binoculars will be available.  Cost:  NJA members $7/person & $15/family (limit 5);  nonmembers $10/person & $14/family (limit 5).

Adult Programs at Rancocas Nature Center

Spring Warbler ID Workshop  Sunday, 3/4/2012 (2 to 3:30 pm)

Join Sandy Hook Bird Observatory Director and veteran naturalist Pet Bacinski as he presents a comprehensive workshop on Identifying New Jersey migrant and resident warblers.  Learn from a master.  Visuals will be presented in a PowerPoint presentation and handouts will be provided.  Cost: $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.  Call (732) 872-2500 for details and registration.

Speaking of Nature Series  Thursdays, 3/8, 4/12, and 5/10  (7 to 8 pm)

Interested in nature?  Looking for a new hobby?  The Rancocas Nature Center will be hosting a series of evening presentations that focu on a variety of topics related to the natural world.  Watch for details in the weekly email blast or call the center for information about topics and presenters.  Please pre-register for this program.  Cost:  free for members; nonmembers $5/person suggested donation.

Adult Programs -- Field Trips All programs require advance registration.

You can register by calling the center or mailing a check to RNC 794 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. To facilitate sending site directions, please include your e-mail address when you register. Trips take place rain or shine (within reasonable limits).  Bring binoculars and/or scopes, lunch (if desired), and dress appropriately for the weather.

Barnegat Light State Park and Manahawkin WMA  Saturday, 2/18/2012 (10am to late afternoon)

It's winter birding at its best--Barnegat Light State Park for waterfowl, seabirds, raptors, and possibly Snow Buntings.  The day includes visits to Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area and the Stafford Avenue "bridge to nowhere."  Meet at the park. This is a joint trip with Sandy Hook.  Leader: Lloyd Shaw.  Cost: members, $15; nonmembers, $20.

Salem County Winter Birding  Sunday, 2/26/2012 (10:30am to mid-afternoon)

Explorations begin at the Pedricktown Causeway in Salem County.  The day's focus will be winter waterfowl, raptors, and passerines.  Leader:  Sandra Keller.  Cost: members, $15; nonmembers, $20.

Photographing Wildlife at Barnegat  Sunday, 3/4 (meet at 10 am)

Join associate naturalist Steve Mattan at Barnegat to learn the tricks to photographing wildlife in the field.  Bring you camera, lenses, and tripods to take full advantage of the day.  Or, just tag along with binoculars and enjoy the diversity of late winter fauna at the shore.  Cost:  $15 for members; $20 with nonmembers.

Early Migrants at Pedrickstown Saturday, 3/17  (meet at 9 am)

Join associate naturalist Lloyd Shaw as he "hunts" for ducks and other waterfowl, early shorebirds, and passerines in Salem County.  Meet in Pedricktown.  The day will include visits to Mannington Marsh and Featherbed Lane.  This is a joint trip with Sandy Hook Bird Observatory.  Cost: $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers.

Spring Birding at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, 4/7 (meet at 8 am)

Spring into the season by spending the day at one of the shore's premiere birding spots.  Foirsythe is a great location for spotting early spring migrants, raptors, waterfowl, and gulls.  This is a joint trip with Sandy Hook Bird Observatory (SHBO).  Cost:  $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers.

Atlantic County Park with Lloyd Shaw  Saturday, 4/28  (meet at 7:30 am)

Atlantic County Park has its share of resident and migrant passerines.  Lloyd Shaw will lend his expertise, and it is sure to be a productive day for beginners and the experienced birder.  This is a joint trip with SHBO.  Cost $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers.

Wildflowers at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area  Saturday, 5/5 (10am to mid-afternoon)

Assunpink WMA in Monmouth County and the adjacent township of Roosevelt have a few hidden spots with an abundance of spring flowers.  We will be looking for such species as Nodding trillium, Showy orchis, and Birdfoot violet in addition to more usual species.  Leader:  Karl Anderson.  Cost $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. 

Weekday Birding at Sandy Hook  Tuesday, 5/15  (meet at 7 am)

Join birding guru Tom Boyle as he focuses on the arriving warblers and passerines on the tip of New Jersey at Sandy Hook.  It's sure to be a great day of birding.  This is a joint trip with SHBO.  Cost: $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers.

Short Walks with Sandra Keller

You don't need much time or gas to take advantage of these short walks with associate naturalist Sandra Keller.  A quick morning trip to a local hot spot is a great way to start your Sunday.  No reservations are needed; the idea is to keep it simple.  Only persistent rain cancels a walk.  Call the center for directions to the site.  Please arrive by 9 am.

Pennington Park & Rancocas Greenway, Delanco  Sunday, 4/22 (meet at 9am)

Visit one of the sites highlighted in the Birding and Wildlife Trails Burlington map.  Pennington Park is accessed from Creek Road and offers trails with overlooks from which to view wildlife in varied habitats.  The morning walk will also include the Rancocas Greenway spur that follows the Rancocas Creek.  Cost: $7 for members; $10 for nonmembers.

Cooper River Park, Camden County Sunday, 5/27 (meet at 9 am)

Cooper River Park encompasses 346 acres of urban preserved land.  Its large, open water area is attractive to a variety of wildlife.  The morning walk, during this period of spring migration, will follow the shoreline pathways that loop the main area of the park.  Cost: $7 for members; $10 for nonmembers.