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NATURE OF THE NIGHT HALLOWEEN HIKE & CAMPFIRE
Date: Friday, October 26
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Echo Hill playground
Ages: 8 through adult
Cost: $5
On this non-haunted night hike, we will look and listen for nocturnal animals. We will also learn about adaptations of the eyes and ears for nighttime survival. We will finish the program with a campfire and a spooky snack. Please notate any dietary restrictions on your registration form.
URANUS & THE EVENING SKY
Date: Friday, October 26 (Rain Date: Saturday, October 27)
Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Hoffman Park
Age: 10 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $3
Guest Astronomers: Wayne Petko & John Andrews
Many of the past stargazing programs have usually included one of the visible planets. The sky for this night has Uranus at its closest point to the Earth’s orbit but it is still beyond our visual range without assistance. Our Guest Astronomers Wayne & John are both members of the New Jersey Astronomical Association, will help us view our closest non-visible planet and then other objects. Interested participants should understand that time will be needed to find these objects and that the group size will be small so we can keep the target in view while still being able to offer views of the planet.
BUILD A SCREECH OWL BOX WORKSHOP
Date: Thursday, November 8
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Echo Hill Main Lodge
Ages: 8 through adult (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $20 per box
Eastern Screech Owls are beautiful birds and can easily adapt to most woodlots as long as a cavity hole is available. However, if your woodlot does not have a cavity hole to offer, fear not, they will easily adapt to an artificial nesting box. Join us for this program as we learn a little bit about Screech owls and then use the rest of our time to assemble the boxes together. Wood will be pre-cut and screws will be provided. Please bring your own Phillips screwdrivers. Limit one box per family.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Date: Wednesday, November 14
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Arboretum
Ages: 12 through adult
Cost: free!
Guest presenter: Hal Benz
Hal Benz from the Climate Reality Project will lead us in a slide show and discussion of climate change science, impacts, and solutions. The quantity of intense storms we have been having over the past several years point back to climate change. Despite overwhelming international scientific consensus on climate change, the global community still lacks the resolve to implement meaningful solutions. The Climate Reality Project exists to forge unwavering bedrock of impassioned support necessary for urgent action. With that foundation, together we will ignite the moral courage in our leaders to solve the climate crisis. This is a free program but please pre-register.
EMERALD ASH BORER & CURRENT AFFAIRS
Date: Thursday, January 24
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Echo Hill Park
Age: All (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: free (preregistration is required)
Join Chief Park Naturalist Tom Sheppard for the evening as he shares the current development of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the County and State. A history of the EAB will be given and an account of what the steps have been taken to mitigate the effects of the EAB in the County and State. A Q&A will be offered to delve into homeowner’s concerns. This is a free program but please pre-register.
OWLS
Date: Monday, January 28
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Arboretum
Ages: 5 through adult
Cost: $3
Come learn about these nocturnal birds of prey. We will find out what kinds of owls live in Hunterdon County in a slide show, view some taxidermy specimens, and dissect owl pellets to find out what owls eat. With Senior Park Naturalist Laura Bush. Pre-register.
WILDLIFE OF HUNTERDON
Date: Saturday, February 2
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: Echo Hill Lodge
Ages: 6 through adult
Cost: $3
Naturalist Debra Reed is excited to present interesting facts and specimens of Hunterdon’s most interesting wildlife. Come learn about the animals living in your own backyard including the coyote, the bear, snakes, bats, and many more. Pre-register.
MERCURY & THE EARLY EVENING SKY
Date: Wednesday, February 27 (Rain Date: Thursday, February 28)
Time: 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Hoffman Park
Age: 10 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult) (Firm on age)
Cost: $3
Guest Astronomers: Wayne Petko & John Andrews
While Mercury is one of the five visible planet that we can see with the naked eye, it is actually the hardest one to view. Being so close to the Sun, Mercury is never more than 18 degrees from the Sun. This evening, the planet is approaching its furthest point from the star. Join us for a chance to see Mercury up close and then some other celestial features as the sky turns to night. Pre-register.
Waterfowl LECTURE
Date: Thursday, February 28
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Arboretum
Ages: 8 through adult
Cost: $3
What makes a duck a duck? Did you know that some ducks “dump” eggs in other ducks’ nests? What about that ducks that dive in deep water have feet positioned further back on their bodies than ducks that dabble in shallower water? Or that their courtship rituals may involve arching their necks, whistling, and then lowering their bills and spurting water toward the female? This lecture by Senior Park Naturalist Laura Bush will go through common types of ducks and duck-like birds in Hunterdon, and places to find them in our area.
