Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road
Cranbury, NJ 08512
Phone: (609) 897-9400
E-mail:
Sean Grace
HOURS: Tuesday to
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. / Closed Mondays
November 15 to March 15, the Nature Store
will close at 4:00 p.m.
TRAILS: Open dawn
to dusk daily.
Closings: December
24, 25, and January 1
Winter, 2008-09
FREE WINTER OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 6
Stop by and join us at our winter open house. There will be
hot drinks and activities for the whole family. Store hours
will be extended
to 5:00 p.m.
Noon: LIVE ANIMAL SHOW
Meet some of the live animals from our nature center and
learn some interesting facts about reptiles and amphibians.
1:00 p.m.: NATURE HIKE
Join us on an introductory hike to explore some of the
trails at the Plainsboro Preserve.
2:00 p.m.: OWLS OF NEW JERSEY
The mysterious night-flying owls of New Jersey will be the
topic of this discussion and presentation. Afterwards
participants will dissect their very own owl pellet!
3:00 p.m.: NATURE CRAFTS
Nature provides many easy and fun opportunities to express
ourselves with art. Join Valerie Lysenko as she shows the
group some exciting methods for seasonal craftwork.
Family Nature Programs
Saturdays, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Welcome to the Plainsboro Preserve’s Family Nature Programs.
Each program is designed to explore nature through a theme. A
portion of each program may be spent outdoors building a deeper
connection to the natural world through fun and informative
activities. We provide a highly trained environmental educator
for each of our programs. Join us and create memories that will
last a lifetime. Educational and fun, these Family Nature
Programs are perfect for beginning naturalists and their
families ages six to adult.
Cost: members, $3 per person; nonmembers, $5 per person (unless
otherwise noted). Preregistration is encouraged: 609.897.9400.
BIRD WATCHING
AT THE BIRD FEEDERS
Saturday, December 13
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
This is your opportunity to learn some basic information about
our feathered friends. Learn about birds and bird feeding in New
Jersey. The class is designed for beginning birders and will
teach a variety of ways to identify birds at your feeders. We
will start inside the classroom and finish at our beautiful bird
feeder observation window.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NATURAL DYES
Saturday, December 20
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Natural dyes have been used for thousands of years to color
clothing and beautify fabrics. Come hear associate naturalist
Vicki Schwartz and learn how to use beautiful plant dyes in a
variety of colors. Take home a simple scarf you can dye
yourself! There is an additional $5 materials charge for this
program.
THE BEAVERS OF LAKE McCORMACK
Saturday, December 27
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Come learn about North America’s largest rodent, the beaver. The
Plainsboro Preserve has a family of beavers that live in a lodge
on Lake McCormack. What do they eat? How do they survive the
winter months? During class we will hike and explore some of the
areas visited by the lake’s beavers. Bring comfortable walking
shoes or boots.
COOKING OUTDOORS – FOOD IN THE WILD
Saturday, January 3
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to cook over a campfire? Come
and learn how to make a proper fire and use Dutch ovens to make
a feast. Enjoy venison stew, blueberry cake, traditional teas,
and take home some great recipes. Denise Emley, well-seasoned
camp cook extraordinaire, will tantalize your taste buds and
share her passion for cooking. There is an additional $3
materials charge for this program.
ANIMALS PREPARE FOR WINTER
Saturday, January 10
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Winter poses a great challenge for the wild creatures of our
area. Animals have learned to cope with winter in many ways,
including hibernation and migration. If you have ever wondered
how frogs manage the freeze, snakes survive the snow, or
woodchucks weather the winter, this program is for you!
WINTER HIKE ON THE PLAINSBORO PRESERVE
Saturday, January 17
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
The Plainsboro Preserve is a great place to go for a winter
hike. Associate naturalist Shari-Beth Nadell will be leading
this hike. Bring your hiking shoes, dress in layers, and come
prepared for a moderate walk to some of the lesser-explored
areas on the preserve. Expect to cover a few miles at a moderate
pace.
WINTER NATURE DETECTIVES
Saturday, January 24
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Discover clues that can be found with a trained eye during
winter. This will be a hike of discovery and sleuthing as we
travel through many habitats on the preserve. This outdoor
program is a fun activity for the entire family
FINDING YOUR WAY BY COMPASS
Saturday, January 31
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
The magnetic compass is one of the most valuable tools a person
can carry when adventuring in the out-of-doors. This program
will cover the basics of using a handheld compass, and will
conclude with a hike through some less-explored areas of the
Plainsboro Preserve, using compass skills to guide us!
SURVIVAL! SHELTER BUILDING
Saturday, February 7
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
If you have ever wanted to learn skills that will help keep you
alive in a survival situation, this is your chance. This program
will teach participants practical knowledge about pitching a
tarp and building a shelter from forest debris that will keep
you alive even during a winter night.
VALENTINE BIRD WALK
Saturday, February 14
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
This is a great introduction to birding for the beginner, though
the more advanced birder may pick up a trick or two as well. We
will start out with an indoor program, followed by a close look
at our feeders. The class will wrap up with a short foray
outside, looking for winter waterfowl.
WINTER NATURE ARTS AND CRAFTS
Saturday, February 21
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
The colder months of the year are a wonderful time to work
indoors on winter crafts. Associate naturalist Valerie Lysenko
has been working with natural crafts for many years, and will be
sharing her skills and passion for this art form.
ANIMAL TRACKING – THE BASICS
Saturday, February 28
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Come and learn about the art and science of animal tracking.
Learn about clear print classification, trailing, animal
locomotion, and reading signs. This class will have an indoor
discussion, followed by an outside field session. Dress
appropriately for the weather, and bring a notebook.
FIELD TRIPS AND
PROGRAMS
FOR ADULTS AND TEENS
Please preregister ten days in advance with a payment of $10
for NJAS members or $15 for nonmembers. Send payment to
Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512,
or pay with a credit card over the phone. For more information
please call 609. 897.9400 or e-mail:
plainsboro@njaudubon.org No refunds are made unless we
cancel the trip. Field trips meet at or near the trip locations;
instructions will be e-mailed or are available online. Group
size is limited and a minimum number of participants are
necessary. Visit us at http://njaudubon.org/Centers/Plainsboro.
NORTH SHORE PONDS EXPLORATION
Saturday, December 6
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
The North Shore ponds and Manasquan Inlet are a haven for
seabirds, rare gulls, and waterfowl. This is a Sandy Hook Bird
Observatory-sponsored trip.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK EXPLORATION
Saturday, December 13
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
Naturalist and birder Rick Radis takes you for a visit to Island
Beach State Park for winter specialties. This is a Sandy Hook
Bird Observatory-sponsored trip.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
GREAT SWAMP
Saturday, January 3
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
Visit the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge with Rob Fanning
for winter raptors and passerines. This is a Sandy Hook Bird
Observatory-sponsored trip.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
WINTER HIKE AT BALDPATE MOUNTAIN
Saturday January 17
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ages 9 to adult
Baldpate Mountain overlooks the Delaware River from the
southeastern end of the Sourland Mountains. Come on out for a
morning of exploration and learn a new area to hike close to
home. Bring your binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, and
dress in layers. We will cover five miles, weather permitting.
Join sanctuary director Sean Grace for a fun day in the field.
NEW JERSEY OWL PROWL
Friday, January 23
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Ages 9 to adults
Looking and listening for owls is great fun, and this program is
consistently a favorite with our members. Learn about New
Jersey’s nocturnal hunters. Which owls live here year-round and
which ones migrate to and from our state? Which owl has been
known to feed on fish and earthworms? Join sanctuary director
Sean Grace for a class about cool owl facts, followed by a hike
looking for these creatures of the night. We will carpool over
to the D&R Canal to look and listen for these elusive birds.
WINTER MORNING BIRD WALK
Saturday, January 24
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Join associate naturalist Kathy Easton for an early winter walk
on the preserve to observe birds and their seasonal behavior.
Explore the lakeside trail and feeders for winter visitors and
year-round residents.
SANDY HOOK
Saturday, January 31
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
Join senior naturalist Scott Barnes for an exploration of some
of his favorite winter secret birding spots at Sandy Hook. This
is a Sandy Hook Bird Observatory-sponsored trip.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
NORTH SHORE PONDS
Saturday, February, 21
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
Join Sandy Hook Bird Observatory sanctuary director Pete
Bacinski on his annual excursion to the North Shore ponds and
Manasquan Inlet for wintering coastal birds. This is a Sandy
Hook Bird Observatory-sponsored trip.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
RARITAN BAY
Saturday, February 28
Meet: 8:45 a.m.
Join senior naturalist Scott Barnes for a tour of the winter
birding spots on the Raritan Bayshore. No one knows this area
better than Scott. This is a Sandy Hook Bird
Observatory-sponsored trip.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
PLAINSBORO PRESERVE
WINTER SCHOOL VACATION CAMPS
Ages 6 to 12 years
Welcome to Plainsboro Preserve’s Winter Vacation Camps. Our
camps are designed to give students an exciting outdoor
alternative for their winter breaks. A portion of each program
will be spent outdoors building a deeper connection to the
natural world through fun and informative activities. We provide
a highly trained environmental educator for each of our
programs. Join us and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Each camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, and students
can choose to come for just one day or join us for an entire
session. Preregistration is mandatory.
Cost: $50 per day.
WILDLIFE IN WINTER
December 29 to 31,
Monday to Wednesday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Animals have a variety of adaptations and strategies that they
use to survive the cold winter weather. We will focus on the
animals that inhabit the preserve and learn how they cope with
winter. Indoor activities and crafts will accompany a journey
into the wintry forests and fields of our nature sanctuary. Come
dressed to spend time outside!
WILD WISDOM
Monday, January 19 –
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Winter can be a time of wonder and exploration. This camp will
engage the students in Native American folklore, nature arts and
crafts, and an awareness of nature. Much of the day will be
spent in the outdoors conducting winter activities, so dress
warmly!
WINTER ADVENTURE
February 13, 16, and 17,
Friday, Monday, and Tuesday – Presidents’ Weekend
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Winter is a wonderful time of the year if you have the skills to
cope with the cold and snow. Come out and explore the preserve
while learning some winter survival skills. Learn to track
animals, acquire pathfinding skills, and develop a connection to
winter wildlife. Explorers will practice some survival
techniques and learn games that reinforce winter themes.
EVERY DAY AT THE
PRESERVE
Tuesday through Sunday
The Plainsboro Preserve is a joint effort of the Township of
Plainsboro, the County of Middlesex, and the New Jersey Audubon
Society. The preserve is a 1,000-acre natural area that supports
a diversity of wildlife, with one of the largest lakes in the
area. In addition, you will find a nature center with nature
exhibits, reference library, nature store, and over five miles
of trails. Stop by today and put a little nature in your life.
NJAS Nature Store: We have the best selection of field
guides, binoculars, bird feeders, and bird seed in the area. Our
expert staff can answer your questions and offer advice.
Hiking Trails (open daily dawn to dusk, as posted): Over
five miles of trails traverse an interesting variety of
habitats.
SANCTUARY NOTES
The staff at the Plainsboro Preserve would like to thank all
the volunteers for their continuous dedication and support
throughout the past season.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
• Holiday Nature Open House Weekend: The December 6 programs
need volunteers before, during, and after each event.
• Reception: Friendly folks to meet and greet center visitors,
answer the phones, and help in the Nature Store.
• Naturalists: Share your passion for nature with others.
Members receive discounts on program fees. If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider
Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.
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