794 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
(609) 261-2495
E-mail:
rancocas@njaudubon.org
Directions |
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Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 9 - 5 Sunday 12 - 5
Closed Monday Winter Schedule: The Center closes
at 4 PM 11/15 through 3/15 |
Winter 08-09 Field Trips
Sign up for one of these great winter
trips. Space is limited, and unless otherwise noted
preregistration is required.
Bruce Fetz's
Sandy Hook
Sunday, January 11 7:00 a.m. to
early afternoon Try a winter birding adventure at Sandy
Hook. Join long-time Sandy Hook Bird Observatory
associate naturalist Bruce Fetz as he scouts for
shorebirds. This is a joint trip with Sandy Hook.
Barnegat State Park & Cedar Run Dock Road
Saturday January 17 Meet time
TBA A trip to Barnegat State Park and Cedar Run Dock
Road will offer winter birding at its best. Join veteran
birder Lloyd Shaw as he leads this joint trip with
Burlington County Natural Sciences Club.
Salem County
Winter Raptors
Sunday, January 25 Noon to 6 p.m.
The farms and marshes of Salem County are the winter
home of many raptor species including bald eagles and
great horned owls. Join naturalist Sandra Keller at the
Pedricktown Causeway to see how many species we can find
as we tour the resting landscape. We’ll search for owls
toward evening.
Ocean County
Barnegat Light
Saturday February 14th at Barnegat
Lighthouse State Park, 9 AM to mid-afternoon.
Haven’t seen Harlequin Ducks yet? Treat yourself to this
beautiful sight and join associate naturalist John
Courtney as he searches this reliable spot. Other
species include Purple Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, Horned
Larks, and other winter waterfowl.
Taylors Refuge
& Amico Island
Saturday, February 21 9 a.m. to
mid-afternoon For Burlington County residents, Taylors
Refuge and Amico Island are a short trip away. Lloyd
Shaw will share his expertise as you join him to look
for late winter passerines on the Delaware River and
surrounding area.
Cost is $15 for members and $20
for nonmembers, unless otherwise noted.
Click
here for a full list of all winter trips. |
Rancocas Nature
Center
Did You Know
...
About our
Nature Trails?
Our self guided nature trails traverse
woods, meadows, and wetlands and offer hikers and
birders a chance to experience the beauty of the natural
environment. Why not visit and see for yourself. Be sure
to stop by the visitor's center for a trail
guide or
click here to see our trail map.
Or join one of our associate
naturalists on our guided walks on the first Friday of
the month January 2nd and February 6th.
About our Book
& Gift Store?
Our book and gift store stocks a large
selection of nature related items along with one of the
finest selections of natural history books in New
Jersey. Stop by and pick up a gift for your favorite
nature lover. And get something for yourself too.
About our
Museum?
Our colorful museum includes live
native reptiles, a touch table, educational materials,
natural history exhibits, and a wildlife viewing area.
About our
Classroom?
Our classroom is available for
birthday parties, presentations, and educational
purposes. Call the Center for details and availability
About our
Picnic Area?
Families, individuals, and groups may
use the outdoor picnic tables for lunch. Our area is a
"carry-in-carry-out" facility. Get away from
it all for a little while and enjoy the Rancocas
butterfly and children's gardens.
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Programs We Offer
Click the links below to learn more.
Children's
Programs
Adventures with Nature,
Nature Toddlers, Nature
Explorers
Programs for
All Ages
Walk the Rancocas Trails;
Winter Night Hike;
Maple Sugaring
See below for more information.
Field Trips
See the featured field trips in the
first column to the left. Click
here to see the complete list of field trips for
Winter '08 - '09.
School Programs
Click here
for more information on school and group programs.
Scout Programs
Click
here for more information.
Birthday
Parties
Call the Center for details a
609-261-2495.
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PROGRAMS for All Ages at RNC
Maple Sugaring
Sunday, February 22
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
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 per person and $15 per family; nonmembers, $10
per person and $21 per family.
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Walk the Rancocas Trails
Sundays, December 14, January 11, and February 15
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Join an NJAS staff person or an associate naturalist for a
guided walk through the varied habitats at our center. It’s a
great way to become familiar with our well-maintained trails;
the next time you visit you can just pick up a trail map (at the
visitors’ center) and be your own guide. The easy pace is
suitable for all ages; please use a backpack to transport small
children.
Cost: free to members, $4 individual and $10 family nonmembers.
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Winter Night Hike at Rancocas
Friday, January 23
6 to 8 p.m.
The natural world is awakening in January and February.
Raccoons, fox, owls, and skunks are looking for partners or
starting families. Come explore the trails with an RNC associate
naturalist; we’ll look for signs of these animals, evidence of
increased activities, and listen for their vocalizations. If
we’re lucky, we might spot a pair of our resident great-horned
owls. The easy pace is suitable for all ages. Dress for the
weather and please use a backpack to transport small children.
Cost: members, $7 per person and $15 per family; nonmembers, $10
per person and $21 per family.
MORNING BIRD WALKS AT
RANCOCAS
Fridays 8:00 A.M., December 5, January 2, and
February 6
Join an RNC associate naturalist for a
“first-Friday-of-the-month” bird walk. Migrants and resident
species can be found at our center. Sightings are added to the
RNC bird list. Meet at the picnic tables by the parking lot.
Walks begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Cost: free to members, $5 for nonmembers.
Rancocas Nature Center Happenings
What's New On RNC Pages
This page has been updated with announcements for
upcoming programs.
Additional Programs and field trips can be found
here.
Children's Nature Series
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Adventures with Nature
NEW!
Sundays, January 18, February 8, and March 1 1:30 to 3:30
p.m.
Sunday afternoons can become an adventure for children aged
9 to 12. Each week, we’ll investigate a different aspect of
the world around us and tie it to fun activities and a hike
on the Rancocas trails. Children are encouraged to suggest
areas of interest they would like to explore. Cost: members,
$7 per child each session; nonmembers, $10 per child each
session.
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NATURE TODDLERS
Fridays, January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20 Saturdays,
January 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21 10 to11:30 a.m.
This weekly program at the center is designed to engage young
children, aged 3 to 5, and their parent/caregivers in songs,
games, crafts, hikes, and discoveries. Each week a different
nature topic relating to the winter season and the outdoor world
will be explored. Cost: members, $7 per child each session;
nonmembers, $10 per child each session.
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NATURE EXPLORERS
New Series!
Saturdays, January 17; February 7, 28; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Geared toward children aged 6 to 8, each Saturday’s program
includes a creative project, games and activities, and a nature
walk. A different winter topic will inspire explorations on the
trail; it’s a great way for children to get out and about during
a mostly indoor season. Cost: members, $7 per child each
session; nonmembers, $10 per child each session.
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Here are some pictures
of the fun we had planting the gardens. To view photos
of the gardens in bloom click:
Children's Garden or
Butterfly Garden.
All program fees and membership dues help support the NJAS
and your local NJAS Center. Membership benefits include discounts on all our
programs. Consider becoming a member today.
Top of Page Photos by
Steve Mattan, program participants, and RNC Staff.
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