March Newsletter
skk...@gmail.com
CLOSTER NATURE CENTER NEWS
P.O. BOX 80, CLOSTER NJ 07624 closternaturecenter.org
By the pond on Ruckman Road
MARCH 2018
MARCH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
MARCH AFTER-SCHOOL
PROGRAMS
Pets, Pets and More Pets!
This month we will focus on what animals make
good pets and why.
Kids will learn about responsibility and the work required to take care
of animals
Dress for the weather.
PreK-K .......Tuesdays - 13th,
20th and 27th
1st and 2nd...........Wednesdays
- 14th, 21st and 28th
3rd thru 5th...................Thursdays
- 15th, 22nd and 29th
Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm
Cost - $40 for members, and
$50 for non-members.
To
register online please go to: REGISTER.CAPTUREPOINT.COM/CLOSTER and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment
system.
If you would prefer to register in person, please call Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.
“Last Chance Winter Hike” March 18th at 2 PM
Come one, come all! Layer up your winter clothes and join us for an afternoon forest adventure. With no leaves on the trees, finding wildlife becomes much easier! You never know what you may find around the next bend in the trail...
Photo Contest: Entries Due on March 30th
This is the month to take some
new photos at the Nature Center or look through ones that you've saved from
previous seasons. The Second Annual Photography Contest and Exhibition
will be held at the Closter Library during the month of April. Adults and
kids can enter up to two photos each measuring no more than 16" x
20". No matter where you live, the photos must have been taken at
the Closter Nature Center. Photos must be dropped off at the library by
March 30 and left in Director Ruth Rando's office. Please attach a note
to the back of photos with name, address, email, phone and age (for kids).
A donation of $10 is requested. Contest winners will receive a CNC
hat, t-shirt or sweatshirt. Last year's exhibition was a great success,
so let's make this one even better! For more information, contact Susan
McTigue at msm...@aol.com or 201-767-0955.
ANNUAL CLOSTER TOWN CLEANUP
SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Closter Environmental Commission is conducting its Annual Spring Cleanup Drive on Saturday, March 24th from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Staging stations will be at the Closter Nature Center Log Cabin and the Lustron House on Durie Ave. Gloves, pickup tools and bags will be provided to participants, and refreshments will be available. This cleanup has been an annual event in Closter for many years! It is particularly suitable for families and children eager to help, although those under fourteen years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Pitch in and join the volunteer members of the Environmental Commission, Closter Nature Center, Closter Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Event details are at the Borough website: www.closternj.us.
SOUP SUPPER COMING IN APRIL!
April 15th 5-7 PM
One of our most popular events, the Soup Supper has brought members and friends together for more than 30 years. A great variety of homemade soups and breads is our speciality. You get a bowl and spoon to sample as many soups as you like—plus tasty breads! Arrive by 6:30 for best selection.
Watch for more details in our next newsletter.
And just before we start ladling soup, join us for the big unveil of the “Mayer Loop Trail” sign! This trail was named to honor the tireless work for our Nature Center by Gay and Mary Mayer.
4:30pm — far side of the pond
CNC 2018 Summer Program:
Registration will begin in March.
The program runs Monday - Thursday for 9 weeks. Each day includes two sessions as noted below.
We offer 2-hour programs for children ages 4 - 6 and 3-hour programs for children ages 7 - 10 and 11 - 14.
Fees for the 2-hour programs are:
$70 for members ($90 for non-members)
Fees for the 3-hour programs are:
$90 for members ($110 for non-members)
DATES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS:
WEEK #1 June 25 - 28 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10
WEEK #2 July 9 - 12 Ages 11 -14 and 7 - 10
WEEK #3 July 16 - 19 Ages 7 - 10 and 4 - 6
WEEK #4 July 23 - 26 Ages 7 - 10 and 11 - 14
WEEK #5 July 30 - August 2 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10
WEEK #6 August 6 - 9 Ages 7 - 10 and 11 - 14
WEEK #7 August 13 - 16 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10
WEEK #8 August 20 - 23 Ages 11 - 14 and 7 - 10
WEEK #9 August 27 - 30 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10
To register please go to:
REGISTER.CAPTUREPOINT.COM/CLOSTER
and you will be taken to Community Pass, our NEW online registration and payment system.
If you prefer to register in person please email:
to receive a registration form and the mailing address.
Naturalist’s Notes
As the
days lengthen and the air temperatures warms, nature gives us many signs that
spring is on the way. The harbinger of spring that has the most
profound effect on me and on my natural history calendar is the first sighting
of aquatic turtles. During winter, ponds and lakes don't seem like hot beds of animal
activity, but a lot goes on under the ice. Fish of all kinds can be actively
feeding and prepping for the spring breeding season. Being cold blooded doesn't
stop fish from enjoying winter, but reptiles like our native eastern painted
turtles and northern water snakes must hibernate to survive the cold months.
The red-eared sliders are the first of our aquatic turtles to make a showing in
the spring, with painted and snapping turtles soon to follow. After months of
sleeping in the mud, they awaken as the water temperatures rise and they set
out to look for their first meal of the new year. On warm sunny days in March
they can sometimes be seen sitting en masse on the rocks around Ruckman Pond soaking
up some much needed sunshine. I look forward to seeing the first robin and
hearing the first spring peeper; but soon, on a warm and sunny afternoon, a
little head will pop up and break the water’s surface marking the end of
winter.
See ya on the trails. Marc Gussen, Naturalist
Cute Kid’s Quote
Out with some kindergartners last month we
saw a bright red cardinal standing out against the drab winter forest. One of
the kids yelled with enthusiasm..."Look, a Carnival!"
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
CNC MONTH BY MONTH:
March “Last Chance Winter Hike” March 18th at 2 PM
Photo Contest: Entries Due on March 30th
April 9th – 12th Spring Break Classes
April 15, Soup Supper 5-7 PM
April 21, Earth Day Fair...in Demarest this year!
Photo Contest and Exhibit!
May – Bird Walk Saturday, May 5th 8-10 AM
Annual Meeting
June 3rd - Pond Celebration (June 10th rain date)
June 25 to August 30 - Summer Programs!
September 30 - Hawks Over the Hudson at State Line Lookout