Environmental Center has programs throughout November

Events scheduled for November include:

• Thursday Evening Yoga for adults will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Thursdays, Nov. 8 and 29. 

In this “all levels” yoga series, each student is invited to explore and play through the breath and asanas/poses, flowing at their own pace with self-compassion and joy; followed by an optional gentle shoulder massage and restorative pose or Savasana of transformation and peace.

Dress comfortably and take a mat. Cost is $15 per class and $12 for those 65 and older. No refunds for missed classes. Advance registration, monthly payment and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776.

• Autumn Branch Arrangements for adults will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Using branches, leaves, gourds and pumpkins, participants will create a fall centerpiece for their home or front porch. Cost is $15 per adult. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. 

• Chair Yoga for adults will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 13, 20 and 27.

For those who are new to yoga or feel that most yoga classes might be too strenuous, chair yoga can provide a more easy-going supported style. Experience how gentle yogic breath decreases stress and increases comfort and fluidity of movement, not only through yoga practice, but potentially throughout life, as well. All poses are done at each participant’s own pace, seated or standing next to a chair and using it for support whenever needed. The class will end in a peaceful restorative pose and optional gentle shoulder massage.

All levels can attend. Dress comfortably and take a mat. Cost is $15 class and $12 per class for those 65 and older. No refunds for missed classes. Advance registration, monthly prepayment and a minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776.

• Bug Club is for children 6 to 10 will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The Bug Club is devoted to children who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. Cost is $10 per child per session. Advance registration, payment and minimum number of participants are required.

• Essex County Beekeepers Society (ECBS) for adults and children ages 12 and older will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The ECBS, a chapter of the NJ Beekeepers Association, is dedicated to teaching new beekeepers how to manage their bees and helping experienced beekeepers to do it better. Anyone who is interested in keeping honey bees and would like to explore what’s involved, can attend a meeting.

Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child, $12 per adult and free for ECBS and New Jersey Beekeepers Association members.

• Birding Walk at Essex County Hilltop Reservation, presented by New Jersey Audubon, will tale place at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Explore edge and meadow habitats for fall migrants with an easy walk through the reservation. This is a free event.

Meet at Essex County Hilltop Reservation, Mountain Avenue and Courter Lane, North Caldwell.

• Bird Club for children ages 5 through 10 will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.

The group will explore the wooded wetland and see what birds live there. Use binoculars, field guides and observation to discover and identify all sorts of birds. Cost is $10 per child per session. Advance registration, payment and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776.

• Bow Drill Friction Fire for adults and children ages 14 and older will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Participants will learn to select proper wood, how to carve a set and the form and technique that will prepare them for success. Cost is $10 per child and $12 per adult. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776.

• Annual Canoe Brook Reservoir Count for adults will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. 

NJ Audubon (NJA) has been granted access to the New Jersey American Water reservoirs, one of the best places in Essex County for wintering waterfowl. Hikers may catch a glimpse of hawks and Bald Eagles. Cost is $10 NJA members and $12 for non-members. To register, call 908-396-6386. Pre-registration is required for this field trip. Register at https://canoebrook2018.eventbrite.com. Map, location and directions will be provided after registration.

The meeting site is to be announced.

• Family Yoga for ages 5 and older is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. 

At this Family Yoga Class, participants will share calming breath, asanas/poses and gentle stretches in a friendly, go-with-the-flow atmosphere. Cost is $10 per child and $12 per adult. Advance registration and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776.

• Horticulture for Seniors will meet at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19.

Senior citizens can join the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County for this horticulture class especially designed for them. The topic for November is Autumn Leave. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. This is a free program. Advance registration is required one week prior to program. For registration or more information, call Helen at 973-731-0717 or the Master Gardner Helpline at 973-228-2210.

• Frog Pond Science Club for children ages 5 through 9 will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Uncover and discover ecosystem interactions at the frog pond. Explore with nets, magnifiers and microscopes to investigate what lives at the pond and learn from a naturalist what can be done to protect and conserve the pond inhabitants. Cost is $10 per child per session. Advance registration, payment and minimum number of participants are required. For information, call 973-228-8776.

Frog Pond Science Club will be held as follows:

• New Jersey Woodturners for adults and children ages 3 and older will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26.

Learn to turn with the NJ Woodturners Association (NJWA). Discover creating art from found pieces of wood. Topics vary by the month. Call Gualberto Malave at 908-310-3557 for details. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child, $12 per adult and free for NJWA members.

• Food Science: Where Does our Food Come From for children in grades 5 through 8 will meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 27 and 28.

The 4-H Food Science Program is a series of eight classes in which youth explore some of their favorite food items, how they are made and where they come from. Youth will participate in hands-on activities including dissecting foods, games and cooking. November’s theme is Corn in its Many Forms. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. There is a $10 fee per class or ask about the class series. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1337 or email essex4h@njaes.edu.

• Essex County Becker Farm Birding Walk presented by New Jersey Audubon (NJA) will meet at  8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29.

The woods and meadows at this former dairy farm attract an excellent diversity of southbound migrants in the fall. There is also the opportunity to climb the ridge and look over the Passaic River Valley. Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center and carpool to the entrance. Cost is $6 for NJA members and $8 for non-members. To register, call 908-396-6386.

• Gingerbread House Making Workshop for all ages will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. 

Stop by the Essex County Environmental Center and the staff will get participants started on their own unique creations. All gingerbread projects must be completed by 1 p.m. to be considered for the contest. Some materials will be provided, however, participants are encouraged to take their own items. This is the last day to register for the contest. This is a free event. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. 

• The 14th Annual Sustainable Homes & Habitats Gingerbread Contest & Exhibit is an opportunity to create a unique gingerbread house with natural accents and green building design features. Sustainable Gingerbread Homes will be on display from Wednesday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 15. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776 to register or for more information. All entries must be registered by Saturday, Dec. 1 and submitted by Monday, Dec. 3.

Registration is required for all programs at the Essex County Environmental Center, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, call 973-228-8776.