2007 Eco-Programs Schedule: Book Your Trip Today!

 

It's probably cold and nasty outside while you're reading this, isn't it? Well, we can't think of a better way for you to ward off the winter blues than to think about boating, paddling and exploring our watershed's special places with us. Here's how you can do just that in just a few months:

 

Open Eco-Cruises:

From May through October, we offer Open Eco-Cruises aboard the vessels Edward Abbey and Robert H. Boyle. Each fully narrated trip leaves from Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus and lasts about 2.5 hours. NEW for the 2007 season, both vessels will be equipped with amplified public address systems. We ask a donation of $20 for adults and $10 for children under 13 years of age. Reservations secured with a credit card are required. To reserve seats, call 201-968-0808 and ask for program director Hugh Carola.

PLEASE NOTE: All of the trips listed below are for individuals, couples, families, etc. ONLY, NOT for large groups. To book a Group Charter Eco-Cruise, call Hugh. Charters can accommodate up to thirty adults.

 

Cruise Schedule

 

Guided Paddles:

Those wishing to experience a duck's eye view of our watershed are invited to join us in a canoe or kayak for one of our popular Guided Paddles. Once again we're offering 21 trips between April and September from our Paddling Center at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus, NJ.  Most trips involve paddling the Sawmill Creek Marsh over a two hour period. Birding trips take up to three hours and extended trips require a commitment of about five hours to complete.

 

Costs: $25 per paddler and $15 per canoe passenger. Generally, high tide trips are best for sightseeing while low tide trips are better for wildlife-watching. As with our Eco-Cruises, reservations secured with a credit card are required. Age restrictions apply; call Hugh at 201-968-0808 for more information or to reserve your boat.

 

NOTE: The Paddling Center will be open on weekends for canoe and kayak rentals from Earth Day Eve, April 21 through Sunday, October 28 weather permitting. Reservations are not required for rentals but it's a good idea to call the Center at 201-920-4746 to check on vessel availability.

 

Guided Paddle Schedule

Sun, 4/22	4 PM / High tide (Co-sponsored by the Nature Program Cooperative)
Sat, 4/28	Noon / Low tide
Sat, 5/12	9:30 AM / Low tide / Birding trip
Sun, 5/20	Noon / High tide
Sat, 5/26	9:30 AM / Low tide / Birding trip
Sun, 5/27	Noon / Low tide
Sat, 6/2	10 AM / High tide
Sat, 6/2	2 PM / Low tide / Extended downriver trip
Sat, 6/16	10 AM / High tide
Sat, 6/16	2:30 PM / Low tide
Sat, 6/23	9 AM / Low tide
Sat, 6/23	3:30 PM / High tide
Sun, 7/15	10 AM / High tide
Sun, 7/15	3 PM / Low tide
Sun, 7/29	9 AM / High tide
Sun, 8/12	9 AM / High tide
Sun, 8/12	1:00 PM / Low tide
Sat, 8/25	10 AM / Low tide / Birding trip
Sat, 9/1	10:30 AM / High tide / Extended upriver trip
Sat, 9/22	9:30 AM / Low tide / Birding trip
Sat, 9/22	1 PM / Low tide

 

River Cleanups:

These events offer folks the opportunity to give back to their communities and the environment by doing some housekeeping along the Hackensack River and its tributaries. We provide the tools, gloves, trash bags and refreshments (including meals!); participants need only bring themselves and wear clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Most cleanups involve working from shore as well as from canoes (except where noted*). There's no cost involved nor registration required; just look for the white tent and our Mobile Cleanup Unit, check in with Operations Director Lisa Ryan and get to work. Groups are welcome with adequate supervision and group leaders are asked to register with Lisa in advance at 201-968-0808 to ensure we have adequate supplies on hand.

 

River Cleanup Schedule

Sun, 4/1	Noon-3 PM	Staib Park, Hackensack, NJ*
Sat, 4/21	10 AM-2 PM	Overpeck Park, Leonia, NJ
Sat, 5/19	10 AM-2:30 PM	Kenneth B. George Park in River Edge, NJ (Cosponsored by the River Edge Environmental Commission)
Sat, 6/16	10 AM-2 PM	Lincoln Park West in Jersey City, NJ*
Sat, 7/14	10 AM-2 PM	Laurel Hill County Park, Secaucus, NJ
Sun, 8/26	Noon-4 PM	Mill Creek Marsh Trail, Secaucus, NJ*
Sat, 10/13	10 AM-2 PM	Johnson Park, Hackensack, NJ

 

If you're looking for a corporate team-building activity that is fun, meaningful and has lasting effect, think about co-sponsoring a Cleanup with us. They are fun to do, can be done almost anywhere and they're a great way to give back to your community. To find out how you can participate in this growing program, give Lisa a call or e-mail her at  Info@HackensackRiverkeeper.org.

 

Eco-Walks:

Eco-Walks are guided birding walks at locations within and close to our watershed. All walks take place on level ground over maintained trails and each is led by an experienced field naturalist. Once again this year we will visit five prime birding hotspots during spring and fall migration. Regardless of which trip(s) you choose, don't forget to bring your binoculars! Costs for Eco-Walks are: $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 13. Reservations are required and space is limited, so please don't delay and call Hugh at 201-968-0808.

 

NOTE: Group Eco-Walks are available for nature clubs, school groups, Scouts (Captain Hugh Carola is a BSA-Certified merit badge counselor for Bird Study) and others at reasonable rates. Please call 201-968-0808 for more information or to schedule a walk today.

 

Eco-Walk Schedule

Sun, 4/29	9 AM at the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, NJ
Sat, 5/26	10 AM at Richard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, NJ
Sun, 9/23	10 AM for a Hawk Watch at the State Line Lookout in Alpine, NJ
Sat, 10/20	10 AM at the Mill Creek Marsh Trail in Secaucus, NJ
Sat, 11/10	10 AM at the Mehrhof Pond Nature Trail in Little Ferry, NJ

 

And Don’t Forget...

 

There is a fifth option for folks wishing to enjoy an experience of the Hackensack River. Captains Bill Sheehan and Hugh Carola can bring the watershed to you through a presentation to your club or organization. We can present a PowerPoint slideshow or video presentation with question and answer period or a lecture/watershed update with Q&A - either one for a very reasonable honorarium.

 

Whichever you choose, we'll be sure to bring plenty of literature to share with all participants. We can cover any topic you wish with any age group but by far our most popular presentation is the Virtual Tour of the Hackensack River Watershed - a visual feast that includes plenty of scenic and wildlife photography. Call 201-968-0808 for the fee schedule and to book your program today!