Nature Program Cooperative Spring Programs

 

Hackensack Riverkeeper is a charter member of the Nature Program Cooperative, a group of North Jersey organizations offering nature programming. Throughout the year, partners of the Co-op host an outdoor activity or indoor educational program to which all members are invited. Here is the spring programming:

 

The Beauty of Native Gardening

Hosted by Flat Rock Brook

Sunday, March 19, 2:00 to 3:30 pm

Learn about native and invasive plants from Master Gardener Kathy Silberstein. Kathy will discuss the pros of native gardening, what invasive plants are, and how native plants can enhance your garden. Share your gardening experiences, solve your problems and get ready for the 2006 gardening season! Free for members. Please call Flat Rock Brook Nature Center at (201) 567-1265, or go to www.flatrockbrook.org to register.

 

Reptiles and Amphibians of New Jersey

Hosted by Lorrimer Nature Sanctuary and

Snakes-N-Scales and Turtle Tales

Thursday, April 20, 6:00 pm

Pat “The Nat” Scheuer will offer an informative slide show and lecture highlighting the biology, behavior, and status of the 75 species of reptiles and amphibians found in NJ. The indoor slide show will be accompanied by a presentation by Snakes-n-Scales featuring several live specimens, followed by a walk outside to look for natives. FREE for members / nonmembers: $5 per person or $15 per family For information, call Patrick Scheuer at (201) 891-2185

 

Science and Eco Art Action

Hosted by the Puffin Foundation, Ltd., Teaneck Creek Conservancy

Date & Time TBA

Internationally renowned artist Brandon Ballengee brings his outdoor art and science exhibit, the “Love Motel,” artwork that uses ultraviolet light to study and photograph arthropods and other nocturnal creatures. The ultraviolet light attracts moths, beetles, and spiders, among other species, which mate and feed on the sculpture. Pheromones of mating insects will “paint” the piece, and spiders will weave their own little additions to the sculpture. In addition, enhancing the experience will be “Nectar & Larval,” butterfly-attracting plants, and materials will be provided for participants to sketch the encountered species. The sculpture -- which appeared in the 2005 Venice Biennale -- will be installed in “A Children’s Butterfly Garden” at the Nathaniel Hawthorne School in Teaneck, NJ. Please call the Teaneck Creek Conservancy at 201-836-2403 or go to www.teaneckcreek.org to arrange for a time when you or your group can see the sculpture, or for other information.

 

Visual and Bio Assessment Training

Hosted by: 3 NJ Watershed Ambassadors

June 10, 2006, 10am-4pm…one hour for lunch

Learn more about watersheds and what lives in them with Biological Assessment training. Biological monitoring includes using a net and identifying macroinvertebrates that live at the bottom of the river. Visual monitoring includes walking a stream segment and observing land use and its impact on the river. Location is to be announced. FREE for members but please register by May 13, 2006. Register with Elyse Levy (201) 968-0808, Gina Mongiello (973) 817-5784 or Candi Stockdale (973) 616-1006