Friday to Sunday

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* Hiking Trails: Over 24 miles of trails depart from the Weis Ecology Center’s private grounds and explore adjacent Norvin Green State Forest and the surrounding Highlands.

* Bird Feeding Station:  Visit our observation deck to view our feeders which attract a wide variety of birds including many winter residents and spring arrivals.

* Exhibits: Stop by our visitor center to see our snakes, turtle, and other seasonal displays.

* NJ Audubon Nature Store: Your nearby natural resource for field guides, bird feeders and accessories, children’s gift items, regional trail maps, and more.

 

Spring/Summer 2012 

Call the office (973) 835-2160 with questions or to register for any program

 

Weis Quality Time Programs for Kids and Families

BUGGIN’ OUT

Sunday, May 20

1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Much maligned and misunderstood, insects make up most of the earth’s critters.  Learn about their adaptations, importance, and go on the hunt for these little “monsters”.  Cost: $5.00 members, $8.00 nonmembers.

 

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AMAZING AQUATIC ADVENTURE

Saturday, June 9

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

It’s National Get Outdoors Day, and that’s what we plan to do!  Armed with dip-nets and plastic buckets, we’ll be exploring the Blue Mine Brook to look at different organisms’ aquatic adaptations.  This program is best suited for elementary aged children – younger siblings are welcome.  Cost: $5 members, $8 nonmembers.  Family (parents plus children): $15 members, $24 nonmembers

 

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FATHER’S DAY HIKE (Dad hikes FREE!)

Sunday, June 17

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Leave the housework and home repairs behind today!  Dads and their families can spend quality time together during this special outing.  Led by a Weis naturalist, this moderately paced, 2-to-3-mile hike in Norvin Green State Forest is recommended for families with elementary-aged kids and above.  Appropriate footwear is required; bring a lunch and plenty of fluids.  Limit: 25.  Cost: $5.00 members, $8.00 nonmembers.  Family (parents plus children): $15 members, $24 nonmembers

 

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THE ROOTS of ROOT BEER

Saturday, July 7

1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

We’ve all had our fair share of root beer, but how often do you stop to think about that fact that it was originally flavored with…ROOTS!  We will learn about plants and trees used to make this tasty beverage, collect the ingredients needed, and then make a delicious batch of (unfermented) root beer.  Appropriate for elementary age children and older.   Limit: 15.  Cost: $8 members, $12 nonmembers.

 

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DARING DECOMPOSERS

Saturday, July 21

10:00-11:30 a.m.

Squirm on over to the Weis Ecology Center to hunt for the unsung heroes of the forest floor, the daring decomposers.  Worms and fungi and molds, oh my!  Learn why they are so important and what would happen without them.  Cost: $5 members, $8 nonmembers.  Family (parents plus children): $15 members, $24 nonmembers

 

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PLANTABLE PAPER

Saturday, August 4

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Instead of throwing junk mail, newspaper, and paper bags in the trash, we are going to make our own recycled, seeded paper.  Send a card that you can plant!  Limit: 15.  Cost: $6 members, $12 nonmembers.

 

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AMAZING AQUATIC ADVENTURE II

Saturday, August 11

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Beat the summer heat with this cool program.  Armed with dip-nets and plastic buckets, we’ll be exploring the Blue Mine Brook to look at different organisms’ aquatic adaptations.  This program is best suited for elementary aged children – younger siblings are welcome.  Cost: $5 members, $8 nonmembers.  Family (parents plus children): $15 members, $24 nonmembers

 

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FAMILY CAMPFIRE

Saturday, August 18

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Bring your family and friends to Weis for a campfire with amazing nighttime activities, songs, stories, and, of course, s’mores.  Cost: $6 members, $9 nonmembers.  Family: $18 members, $27 nonmembers 

 

 

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND TEENS

NATURE STUDY

 

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY - HIGH POINT HIKE

Saturday, June 2

9:00 a.m. to noon

Celebrate the 20^th annual National Trails Day with us on a moderate 3-mile loop hike to Wyanokie High Point.  Whether you have never hiked but want to try it out or you are a seasoned veteran, everybody is welcome for this naturalist-led adventure.  Bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the weather (good footwear is required).  Limit: 20.  Cost: $5.00 members, $8.00 nonmembers.

 

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 WEIS WOMEN’S HIKES

Saturdays, June 16 & August 25

8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Moderately paced, 2 to 3-mile hikes.  Join the ladies of Weis for these early morning hikes to some of our favorite scenic spots!  A great way to enjoy some time outdoors, get some exercise, and get home early enough to spend the rest of the day with family and friends!  Hikes meet at Weis (may carpool to the trailhead if needed).  Wear appropriate hiking footwear, dress in layers appropriate for weather, and bring plenty of water.  Cost: $5.00.

 

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KNITTING IN NATURE (knitting optional)

Sunday, June 16

1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (or later if there are people still knitting)

Are you a knitter?  Do you like to be outside?  World Wide Knit in Public Day is the week of June 9-17 (yes, this “day” is actually a week).  Bring your knitting (or crochet-we don’t discriminate) project and be inspired by the trees and fresh air.  Weather permitting, we will be outside on or around the field and picnic area.  If there is an interest, we can also take a short walk into the forest to find a wilderness knitting niche.  …Don’t knit but want to learn?  Bring some yarn and needles and Weis’s Sanctuary Director, Phaedra Demers, will do her best to help you learn.  Don’t knit and don’t want to learn?  Come anyway- remember, we don’t discriminate!  Cost: FREE

 

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Birds of New Jersey: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS

Sunday, June 24

9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Emeralds and rubies are never more precious than when they combine to form these elegant garden jewels.  Join a staff naturalist for a power point presentation to learn all about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s amazing adaptations, perilous life, and how to attract these chittering dynamos to your backyard habitat and keep them coming back.  Then go out to our outdoor observation deck to view these magnificent birds.  Cost: $5.00 members, $8.00 nonmembers.

 

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EAT YOUR WEEDS

Sunday, July 8

11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Believe it or not, many of the plants that are now considered invasive weeds were originally planted for food or medicine.  At times it seems like these weeds are taking over the forest, but we are going to fight back and get to the root of the problem (pun intended) by making a gourmet meal out of those little green invaders.  Bring your appetite!  Limit 10.  Cost: $12 members, $15 nonmembers

 

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MEDICINAL PLANT WALKS with Robin Rose Bennet

Sundays, July 22 and August 19

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Discover natural remedies for many of your summer ailments with herbalist and author, Robin Rose Bennet.  Scratches, stings, and itches are no match for the plants around us.  Each program will cover different plants and topics - come for one or both.  Cost: $10 NJAS or Community Association of the Highlands members, $12 nonmembers.

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WEIS WOMEN’S HIKES

Saturdays, June 16 & August 25

8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Moderately paced, 2 to 3-mile hikes.  Join the ladies of Weis for these early morning hikes to some of our favorite scenic spots!  A great way to enjoy some time outdoors, get some exercise, and get home early enough to spend the rest of the day with family and friends!  Hikes meet at Weis (may carpool to the trailhead if needed).  Wear appropriate hiking footwear, dress in layers appropriate for weather, and bring plenty of water.  Cost: $5.00.