We have programs for every member of the family:

Field Trips and Events Calendar of Coming Trips and Events School and Scout Programs		Programs for Teachers Programs and Lectures for Adult Groups Birthday Parties

Field Trips and Events

We offer a variety of programs throughout the year, for a list of current trips and events, see our:
Calendar of Coming Trips and Events

 

 

For Children --

• Summer Natural History Day Camp
• Sanctuary Programs specifically for children
• Wonder Walks
• Youth Birding Trips

For Adults --

• Backyard Habitat for Birds and Butterflies
• Wildflowers
• Beginning Bird Watching
• Tree ID
• Nature Photography
• Beginning Bug Watching
• Night Hikes Under a Full Moon
• Saturday Birding Trips Throughout New Jersey
• Canoe Trips
• Hawk Watching
• Free Monthly Natural History Lecture Series
• Foreign and Domestic Natural History Travel Programs
• Natural History Information
• Bird Savings Days
• Birding Weekends

FREE nature walks every Friday and Saturday morning, 8-9 a.m. A great opportunity for you to get acquainted with the plants and animals that live in the field, forest and stream habitats of New Jersey Audubon's 276-acre wildlife sanctuary.

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School and Scout Programs

To register for any of the following programs, or for more information, please call (908) 766-5787 or e-mail Stephanie Foster.

Click Here to download the School Program Brochure (PDF format)

 

 

 

School Programs

At the Sanctuary: programs run from 90 minutes  to 2 hours. Fee: $5.00 per student, $100 minimum, a second program on the same day $4.00 per student. The maximum number of students is 45 per trip. Outreach Programs at Your School: programs are 1 hour, and program extensions require an additional half hour. Fee: $150 per program plus mileage over 10 miles, $100 per additional program on the same day, and $75 for a program extension.

Outdoor Adventures at Scherman Hoffman!
	Nature's House: In this lesson, students learn that ordinary objects in nature (logs, rocks, leaves, seeds) are important as homes and food for animals. Pre-K thru K
	Sensing the Seasons: Students will use their senses to explore the natural habitats of the Sanctuary. They will look, touch, smell, and listen to nature all around. Pre-K thru K
	Tree Fun: We'll take a walk and visit some of the trees of our Sanctuary's forest and discover why trees are so important. Fun leaf and seed activities are included. Pre-K thru K
	Seeds Inside and Out: We will begin with a nature walk to collect seeds and discover the various methods of dispersal. Students will also learn about the life cycle of plants through seed dissection. Grades 1-4
	Freshwater Ecology: Students will use nets and buckets as they search for the animals that live in the wetlands of our Sanctuary. We will discuss how water quality affects the diversity of wildlife living in wetlands. All grades
	The World of Insects: Students will visit the field, forest, and wetlands with nets and bug boxes to collect insects for observation and identification. Discussion will include life cycles, adaptations, and interrelationships among the insects we find. All grades
	The Hidden World of Animals: Students will explore field and forest to search for animals and the clues they leave behind to learn about local wildlife. All grades
	Feathered Friends: A bird walk will introduce students to the birds of our Sanctuary. We will review the use of binoculars, field guides, and field identification, and a game will enhance the lesson. All grades
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Indoor Adventures at Your School!
	Bugs to You!: With some help from our six-legged friends, students will have the opportunity to hold live insects as they learn what makes an insect and insect. Our selection may include walking sticks, honeybees, doodlebugs, or whatever we have at the time. An outdoor extension of the program at your school is also available. All grades
	Hoots and Screeches: Using mounted specimens and activities, students will learn what makes owls so unique among the birds. All grades
	Scutes and Scales: We will visit your classroom with our snakes and turtles for a lesson on the life of reptiles. All grades
	The Disappearing Leaf: Through one of nature's decomposers, the earthworm, students will learn about decomposition and how it benefits the soil. Students will observe earthworms from our worm bin. Students can create their own worm bin in an extension program. All grades
	Dynamic Watershed: Students add "pollutants" and "rain" to a model town, then watch where it all goes while learning the implications of adding pollutants to the environment. Grades 3-8
	Topo Twister: Students learn how to use and interpret topographic maps. Following the instruction phase, we will assemble the entire Passaic River Watershed using full-size laminated maps. Grades 4-8
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Programs Suitable for Assemblies
	Go Green: Teaching students what they can do to protect the environment through hands-on activities accompanied by a powerpoint presentation.
	Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and more!: Find out what a raptor is through mounted specimens, slides, and a story.
	Backyard Birds: Learn all about the kinds of birds you might see in your backyard throughout the season. Find out what you can do to help provide for their habitat needs.
	Owls of New Jersey: Through a slide presentation, mounts, and owl specimens, students will gain an understanding of the extraordinary abilities of these birds.
	Mammals-The Natural History of Everyone's Favorites: Can opossums hang from their tails? What's the most important mammal in a meadow habitat? This slide presentation will highlight these furry creatures.
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Scout Programs

Fee: For after-school scout groups the fee is $5 per scout, min. $50. Location: The Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary. We can often incorporate specific badge requirements into a general interpretive hike.

Scout Program Topics (these are suggestions, but we can incorporate other nature programs to suit individual needs)
	Boy Scouts Wolf: Birds, Outdoor Adventure Bear: Sharing your world with wildlife Webelos: Forester, Geologist, Naturalist
	Girl Scouts Brownies: Eco-Explorer, Plants, Watching Wildlife, Water Everywhere Junior Girl Scouts: Earth Connections, Plants and Animals, Rocks Rock
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Programs for Teachers

Professional Development Workshops

NJAS is a registered professional development provider with the state of New Jersey. 

NJAS conducts regularly scheduled Professional Development Workshops statewide.
See the list of current workshops.

NJAS Core Professional Development Workshops can be conducted for your school or group at the Sanctuary or at your school or center as an in-service. The core workshops are Bridges to the Natural World, NJ W.A.T.E.R.S., and Sense of Place.

Call (908) 766-5787 to inquire about or to schedule a workshop.
 

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Programs and Lectures for Adult Groups

Professional naturalists from NJAS's Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary are available to present programs about birds and other wildlife, geology, and conservation to your group.

Our programs are suitable for a wide range of interests, from garden clubs to nature clubs, to seniors and other adult organizations.

To schedule a program, call (908) 766-5787 or email Stephanie Foster.
 

Length: The programs listed here run approximately 1 hour but can usually be tailored to fit your needs. Fees: Programs given at your site cost $150 per presentation, with an additional mileage charge for distances greater than 10 miles round-trip from Bernardsville.         Programs given at the Sanctuary cost $100 per presentation. (Programs combined with a room reservation for a one hour club meeting can also be arranged for $150.)

Birds
	Birding Basics: Learn how to use a field guide, how to choose and use binoculars, and most importantly how to identify birds. Learn how to enjoy America's fastest-growing outdoor pastime.
	Feeding and Identifying Backyard Birds: Most people learn about birds by putting up a feeder in their yard. Learn about the different types of feeders and the birds that they attract. We will discuss the do's and don'ts of putting up feeders.
	Wild Journeys - Bird Migration in NJ: This program delves into the mysteries and mechanics of bird migration through NJ.  Over 90% of the state's 350 bird species are migratory. While some travel only a few miles, others span the continent. How and why do they do it?
	Birds that Hunt - The Hawks, Falcons, & Eagles of NJ: Over 40 pairs of Bald Eagles nest in NJ, Peregrine Falcons have re-occupied the cliffs of the Palisades, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk has been hunting songbirds at your feeder. Learn about these magnificent animals and their lives.
	The Birds of Summer - NJ Nesting Birds: From robins to rails, from swallows to sparrows, summer is the peak of bird nesting in the Northeast. Learn about the habitats where each species nests and how they raise their young.
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Other Wildlife
	Mammals - The Natural History of Everyone's Favorites: Can opossums hang from their tails? What's the most important mammal in a meadow habitat? What should you do if you see a bear?
	Butterflies and Moths: A powerpoint presentation will highlight life cycles, the differences between butterflies and moths, and plants important for their survival.
	Butterflies of NJ: Although many butterflies will visit flowers planted in your yard, there are other species you will only find in their native habitats. This program focuses on the identification of the main groups of NJ butterflies and their habitat needs.
	Nature's Artwork - Wildflowers: Ever wondered what that flower growing by the side of the road is called? This program is tailored to the season and region, presenting common wildflowers and how to identify them.
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Conservation
	Backyard Habitats for Birds, Butterflies, and Other Wildlife: Bird feeders and a butterfly garden are great ways to attract wildlife to your garden, but they are only the beginning. This program examines backyard habitats as a whole and stresses the importance of backyard habitats and native plants to wildlife throughout our area.
	Forests at Risk - Threats to Habitat Health: What is a healthy forest, anyway? More than trees, forests should be incredibly diverse systems, from the leaf litter to the canopy. Forces from within and without are threatening our forests. Learn what they are and what you can do to protect our forests.
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Birthday Parties at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Click here to download our Birthday Party Brochure.

Would your child like a nature-themed birthday celebration with an educational lesson led by an experienced naturalist? If so, you may want to contact the sanctuary to find out about program offerings. Our beautiful new learning center can be rented for 2 and ½ hours to hold your child’s party. We provide a one hour lesson on a seasonally appropriate topic of your choice such as Reptiles and Amphibians, Feathered Friends, and Happy Habitats. The party rate for up to 15 children is $250 which includes the use of our adjacent kitchenette, tables, chairs, and trash receptacles. If you are interested in having your party at the sanctuary, please call (908) 766-5787 for details, or e-mail Laurie Sindlinger.

 

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