LEARN ABOUT BIRDS, GARDENING, CANOEING, NATURE, BUGS AND MORE AT THE ESSEX COUNTY …
Essex County, NJ – A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of July that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites children and adults to visit the Environmental Center where they can enjoy an enriching recreational experience through nature and conservation activities.
“Our Environmental Center has become the premiere location for environmental education and nature appreciation. With the help of our partner groups, our dynamic schedule of events and activities will captivate all ages,” DiVincenzo said. “Walk in our woods, discover habitats, get pointers on gardening, learn about nature photography and much more. It’s all about nature and it’s all at our Environmental Center,” he added.
Events scheduled for July are as follows:
“Nature Explorers Summer Camp” is for grades Pre-K and Kindergarten. Enjoy exploring and discovering woodland and river habitats for insects, birds, amphibians, and much more. Cost is $160 per child/per week. Call the Center at 973-228-8776 for details. Advance registration is required. Nature Explorers Sumer Camp will meet as follows:
Date: Monday to Friday, July 9 to 13, 2018
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“4-H Young Gardeners Club” is for children in grades 1 through 10. Have you ever wondered how vegetables and flowers grow? From where spaghetti sauce comes? How you can find a rainbow in a garden? The 4-H Young Gardener’s Club can provide the answers to these questions and more. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-3785 or visitessex.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/. The 4-H Young Gardeners Club will meet as follows:
Date: Tuesdays, July 10 & 24, 2018
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Little Explorers Nature Program” is for children ages 3 to 5. It’s summertime – a warm and lazy time of year especially in the wetland forest. What are the animals doing – getting a sun tan or hiding in the shade or water? How about the trees and other forest plants? The gardens have been growing but what are they producing? Participants will go on a morning stroll full of surprises and make a fun craft to take home. This class accepts 10 children plus one caregiver. Please remember to wear closed toe shoes. Classes will be held rain or shine. Cost is $12 child/class. Advanced registration and payment required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Little Explorers Nature Program is scheduled as follows:
Date: Wednesdays, July 11 & 25, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Bike Right – Learn to Ride” is for children ages 5 and older. Bike Right Learn to Ride will teach children the safe, easy and effective way to learn to ride. Using this “balance first” method, parents help get their children rolling while the child does most of the work. Participants learn the basics of balancing, starting, stopping, and steering a bike, as well as proper helmet fit and adjustment. Please bring a helmet and a bike without training wheels and in good working order. In the event of rain, this program will be rescheduled. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bike Right will be held as follows:
Date: Friday, July 13, 2018
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Butterfly Tent Safari” is for all ages. Flutter on over and visit the live butterfly tent. All are welcome to make-and-take a butterfly craft and participate in table activities. There is a $2 per person suggested donation. Butterfly Tent Safari will be scheduled as follows:
Dates and Times: Saturdays, July 14, 21 & 28, 2018
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday, July 16 to 27, 2018
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is for children ages 3 to 5 Come dressed for a butterfly parade around the trails to learn about a day in the life of the monarch. Participants also will learn about food sources for other caterpillars and butterflies. This program includes entry into the live butterfly tent. Cost is $10 per child. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, July 14, 2018
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“New Jersey Woodturners” is for adults and children ages 3 and up. Learn to turn with the NJ Woodturners Association. Discover the wonders of creating art from found pieces of wood. Topics vary by the month. Call Bob Amarant at 908-442-4729 for details. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $12 per adult and free for NJWA members. New Jersey Woodturners will be held as follows:
Dates: Monday, July 16, 2018
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Family Walk & Campfire” is for all ages. Join a staff naturalist for a short walk on the trails to experience forest life at dusk. Afterwards, enjoy a campfire and some fire-popped organic popcorn. Cost is $10 per child and $12 per adult. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Family Walk & Campfire will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Buzz into Action with Insect Education” is for children age 5 and older. This is a family-fun and hands-on presentation all about bugs n’ butterflies, and includes entry into the live butterfly tent. Cost is $10 per child and $12 per adult. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Buzz into Action with Insect Education will be held as follows:
Date:Saturday, July 21, 2018
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place:Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Butterfly Gardening Workshop” is for adults and children ages 8 and older. Learn to garden for butterflies with Jean Greeley, an Essex County Rutgers Master Gardener and butterfly enthusiast. The presentation and discussion will be followed by a visit to butterfly host and nectar plants in the gardens at the Environmental Center. This program includes a few minutes in the live butterfly tent. Cost is $10 per child, $12 per adult. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Butterfly Gardening Workshopwill be held as follows:
Date:Saturday, July 28, 2018
Time: 12 p.m.
Place:Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
During the month of July, the photo exhibit “Bold, Brilliant Butterflies of Northern New Jersey” by Janet Markman will be on display in the Essex County Environmental Center.
Registration is required for all programs at the Essex County Environmental Center, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, please call 973-228-8776.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.