FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Puglisi
March 5, 2013 973-621-2542
Lauren Shears
973-621-1590
LEARN ABOUT HIKING, GARDENING, NATURE, BIRDS, BUGS,
PHOTOGRAPHY, CRAFTS, COOKING, YOGA, WOODTURNING AND MORE
AT THE ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Invites Children and Families
to Expand their Understanding and Appreciation of the Environment
Essex County, NJ – A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of March 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 March are as follows:
“Little Explorers Winter Nature Program” is a child-caregiver class that uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each week, a different nature or science topic is covered. Cost is $7 per child/session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Little Explorers Fall Nature Program will be held as follows:
Ages: 3-year olds
Dates and Times: Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 & 27, 11 a.m.
Ages: 4- and 5-year olds
Dates and Times: Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 & 27, 1:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Outdoor Adventure Club” is for children ages 7 to 11. Participants will go outside and see where the hour takes them. Activities include building forts, collecting firewood, skipping rocks, telling stories, digging for critters, spotting wildlife, playing tag and more. The hour will be directed by club members under the guidance of a Staff Naturalist who will facilitate all free-play activities. Dress for the weather as all classes will be outside. Cost is $7 per child per session. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Outdoor Adventure Club will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Nature Photographers Club” is for adults. Join the Nature Photographers for another fun and creative presentation. The specific presentation topic will be announced. Cost is $9 per adult and free for Essex County Nature Photographer members. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Photographers will meet as follows:
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. This park is a fascinating place to view a variety of gulls, ducks and geese, plus some woodland birds on their northward migration. All can be viewed along an easy trail around the lake. Meet at the parking area at Foster Street and Weequahic Park Drive, Newark. This is a free event. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 or for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2013
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park
Weequahic Park Drive & Foster Street
Newark, NJ
“Thursday Evening Yoga Series” is geared for adults. This all-levels yoga series will focus on alignment, flow and warmth followed by a restorative pose to unwind the body and mind for bed. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $40 for the series. Advance registration and monthly payment is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. No refunds will be given for missed classes. Thursday Evening Yoga is scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2013
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Friday Morning Yoga” is geared for adults. This class will introduce adult beginners to the many joys of yoga. Breathing synchronized with movement will warm the body and relax the mind. Participants will focus on joint mobility and healing stillness. All levels are welcome. Join for the series or just one class. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Friday Morning Yoga is scheduled as follows:
Date: Fridays, March 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2013
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Kitchen Little Cooking Club” is for children ages 3 to 5 who are accompanied by an adult. The class will explore how to cook some of nature’s produce. Participants will measure, mix and bake some special healthy treats. The best part, of course, is the tasting at the end! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child per session (additional material fees included). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Kitchen Little Cooking Club will be held as follows:
Date: Friday, March 8, 2013
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Maple Sugaring” is for children ages 4 to 12 and their family. During the walk, participants will search for Sugar Maple trees, learn how trees are tapped, go through the process of “sugaring,” enjoy different types of maple sugar and make a sugar snack. Cost is $5 NJA members and $7 for non-members. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-226-6082. Maple Sugaring will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2013
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“4-H Lego Club” is for children in grades 3 through 6. Members will use their imaginations to build animals, castles, and more with other children who are interested in Legos. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Lego Club will be held as follows:
Saturday Class: Saturday, March 9, 2013
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Monday Class: Monday, March 11, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Garibaldi Hall
Roseland, NJ
“Outside Nature Discoveries Club” for children ages 5 and 6. Come venture into the wooded wetland at the Environmental Center with magnifiers, trowels, containers and more to observe living things in their environment. The curriculum is not structured; students will discover as they explore. Dress for the weather as all classes will be outside. Cost is $7 per child per session. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Outside Nature Discoveries Club will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, March 11, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Tuesday Afternoon Yoga” is for adults. This class will explore the many joys of yoga. Breathing synchronized with movement will warm the body and relax the mind. Participants will focus on joint mobility and healing stillness. All levels are welcome. Join for the series or just one class. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Tuesday Afternoon Yoga will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesdays, March 12, 19 & 26, 2013
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Bug Club” is for children ages 6 to 10. The Bug Club is devoted to young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets year-round. Cost is $6 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bug Club will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Nature Crafts with Children” is geared for children ages 7 to 12. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the Earth by making crafts. Cost is $8 per child per session (includes a $2 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Crafts with Children will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“4-H Environmental Kids Club” is for children in grades 2 through 6. Nature is filled with things, big and small, that surprise and help us. Find out how much fun it is to learn about the world. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Birding Hike in Hatfield Swamp” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Celebrate NJ Audubon’s Spring into Birding statewide birding event with a hike through this wooded wetland habitat. Early spring migrants such as passerines and raptors, along with views of waterfowl, will make this an exciting trip. Footing may be wet. Meet at the Stop & Shop, 875 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell. This is a free event. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 or for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Site: Stop and Shop supermarket
875 Bloomfield Avenue
West Caldwell, NJ
“Dinosaur Day” is for children ages 4 and up. Be a Paleontologist for the day! Touch a real dinosaur egg, teeth and bones. Help rebuild “Little Al" the Allosaurus and other dinosaurs and take home a surprise. Bring your lunch and eat in between classes if you’d like to stay for both programs. Cost is $7 per child per program and $9 per adult per program. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dinosaur Day will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013
Times: 11 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Horticulture for Seniors” is a specially-designed horticulture class for senior citizens that is offered by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County. This month’s topic is Spring is in the Air; A Time for Seeds. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. This is a free class. Advance registration is required one week prior to program. For information, call 973-379-5488 or 973-731-0717. Horticulture for Seniors will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, March 18, 2013
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Green Kids Club” is for children ages 7 to 12. Discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects. Cost is $7 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Green Kids Club will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Nature Discovery Garden Club” is for children ages 7 to 12. Whether the garden is outdoors or a pot on a windowsill, students will learn about how plants live and grow. They will discover how weather, temperature and seasons affect all living things, how living things come out of seeds and soil, how earthworms, bees and other wildlife help in the garden and how the environment works together like an amazing puzzle. Cost is $10 per child per session (includes a $3 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Discovery Garden Club will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Professional Development: Project Learning Tree” is an exciting, hands-on workshop designed for educators working in classrooms and nature centers with elementary and middle school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Activities encourage investigations in suburban and urban environments while fostering collaborative learning, decision-making skills, and literacy. Discuss current environmental issues in New Jersey, lessons to connect students with the world around them, and opportunities for service learning. Cost is $15 (Full scholarships available for Essex County urban aid district teachers; call the Center for details). Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Project Learning Tree will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2013
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Bike Right – Defensive Bike Skills Training” is for adults and children ages 14 and up. TransOptions’ bike coaches will train bike riders and wannabe bike riders to Bike Right. In a hands-on training course, participants will learn such skills as traffic navigation, crash avoidance, NJ bike laws, route planning, flat tire repair, proper gearing and more. Participants will also be given a bike rider’s student manual as well as free Bike Right merchandise. For the Saturday’s session, please bring a helmet and a bike in good working order. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $9 per person. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bike Right – Defensive Bike Skills Training will be held as follows:
Dates and Times: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
“Tick Observation, Lyme Disease and Identifying Japanese Knotweed” is for adults. This class will provide a thorough overview from an herbalist perspective of the cause, symptoms and holistic treatment options for Lyme. It is important for anyone who wants to learn and develop a practice of herbalism, anyone who has had or knows someone with Lyme, or anyone who just likes learning about nature. There will be indoor class time to learn the practices, and then a walk out on the land to identify Japanese Knotweed, a plant known to help with Lyme and other inflammatory conditions. Japanese knotweed is considered a common invasive plant, yet participants will learn about its medicinal value. Cost is $25 per person. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Tick Observation, Lyme Disease and Identifying Japanese Knotweed will be held as follows: