Closter Nature Center Newsletter -- June, 2017
lorispechler
CLOSTER NATURE CENTER NEWS
P.O. BOX 80, CLOSTER, NJ 07624 closternaturecenter.org
By the pond on Ruckman Road
JUNE, 2017
JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST ACTIVITIES
AND EVENTS:
June After-School Classes
“Streams of the Nature Center”
This month we will explore the streams of the nature center and their importance to wildlife, the forest and us.
We will take a stream walk on the last day of class. (weather permitting).
*This June’s after school program is for two weeks only*
Pre-K-K, Tuesdays - 13th and 20th
1st and 2nd, Wednesdays - 14th and 21st
3rd thru 5th, Thursdays - 15th and 22nd
Time: 3:45 - 5:00 PM
Cost: $25 members, and $35 non-members
TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES: Call Marc at (201) 750-2778 to reserve a place in class. Then, bring to the first class a check, (preferably not cash), for the proper amount, made out to the Closter Nature Center.
POND CELEBRATION AT RUCKMAN POND!
JUNE 3rd from 1-4 PM
(Rain Date: June 10th)
Please join us for the fifth annual celebration of the revival of Ruckman Pond! Come for an afternoon of
pond science and fun!
Enjoy the pleasures of our Nature Center, cabin and pond on a lovely early June afternoon that will feature:
Canoe rides Triple Pond Hike
Animal shows Live music
Tie-dying tee-shirts Arts and Crafts
Pond Animal Scooping Science Activities
Aquatic Plants, Water Testing…And more!
Bring your family and friends, grandparents, aunts, cousins and uncles!
Admission is FREE
Naturalist’s Notes:
Without Ruckman Pond, the Closter Nature Center would just not be the same. Its proximity to the Nature Center cabin and Ruckman Road make it really stand out visually. Its importance to our educational programs, and to all those who visit the grounds, make the pond our most prominent feature. As an ecosystem, the pond has seen some ups and downs over the years. But thanks to a constant devotion to what is best for the pond by the town and the Nature Center board, Ruckman Pond is not just surviving but thriving. Our battle with an over abundance of nutrients leading to a "take over" by non-native invasive aquatic plants is not over, but we are definitely winning the war. Dredging the pond five years ago to make the pond deeper and remove accumulated sediment and nutrients is proving to be the best thing we could have done to insure it’s long-term health. We look forward to the Pond Celebration of 2017 so we can have the honor of sharing our beloved pond with our community. See you on the trails...Marc Gussen, Naturalist
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN KIDS UP FOR A GREAT OUTDOOR SUMMER EXPERIENCE:
CLOSTER NATURE CENTER 2017 SUMMER CAMP!
The Closter Nature Center is proud to offer its annual summer camp program to children ages 4 – 14. For over 45 years, campers have had an opportunity to explore the Nature Center’s 136 acres of ponds, streams, meadows and forests in a fun and nurturing environment. Our campers hike, dig, wade in the water, and examine nature, all under the supervision of a trained naturalist and an assistant.
The 2017 summer program will begin on June 26th and end on August 31st. There will be no camp the week of July 3-6. Camp sessions will be either morning or afternoon, Monday through Thursday, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Campers can sign up for one or more 4-day weeks. Each weekly program will offer different activities suitable to the age group, children’s interests and the weather.
Campers ages 4 – 6 will meet each day for 2-hours, with weekly fees of $70 for members, $90 for non-members. Campers ages 7 – 11, and 12- 14 meet for 3-hours each day, with weekly fees of $90 for members, $110 for non-members.
OUR THANKS TO RUDY’S RESTAURANT
IN CLOSTER PLAZA!
On April 25, Rudy’s Restaurant sponsored a delicious fundraiser for the Closter Nature Center, donating a percentage of their receipts to the CNC. It was a great success! Many thanks to the team at Rudy’s for recognizing and supporting another Closter treasure!