Closter Nature Center Newsletter December, 2017
lorispechler
CLOSTER NATURE CENTER NEWS
P.O. BOX 80, CLOSTER NJ 07624 closternaturecenter.org
By the pond on Ruckman Road
DECEMBER, 2017
DECEMBER EVENTS and CLASSES:
After-School Programs:
Rocks + Minerals
This month’s after-school program will be about the amazing world of geology. We will get to see the Nature Center’s incredible collection of rocks and minerals, and make our very own crystals to take home and eat!
This program will be inside and out so please dress for the weather!
Pk-K Tuesdays 5th - 12th - 19th
1st and 2nd Wednesdays 6th - 13th - 20th
3rd thru 6th Thursdays 7th - 14th - 21st
Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm
TO REGISTER ONLINE:
Go to https://register.capturepoint.com/Closter , and you will be taken to our online registration and payment system.
If you would prefer to register in person, call Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778, fill out a registration form and bring the form along with payment in full (check or cash) to the first class.
You can pick up a registration form at the Log Cabin, 154 Ruckman Road, Closter, NJ 07624. Or, you can download a copy here: http://closternaturecenter.org/after-school-classes-registration-form
***** A Gift From the Forest *****
Looking for that perfect gift for your special somebody?
How about a legacy of wooded bliss! A place to walk in the woods!
Go to www.closternaturecenter.org and purchase the gift of membership in the Closter Nature Center TODAY
Holiday Break Classes:
Tuesday, December 26th through Friday, December 29th
Need something fun and educational for the kids to do
during the holiday break?
We have the answer: four days of Nature exploration and animal fun here at the Closter Nature Center. Our Break programs have been such a success, we are going to run them again. Depending on your schedule you can sign up for one, two, three, or all the days.
We will try to spend time outside each day, so please dress for the weather.
Tuesday, December 26th through Friday, December 29th
1st and 2nd grade 9:00 - 11:30 AM
3rd thru 6th grade 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Cost: $80 full session, Members; $100 full session NON-members
$25 per day for members, $30 per day for non-members
PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AT: https://register.capturepoint.com/Closter
Link takes you to CommunityPass, our online registration and payment system. If you would prefer to register in person, call Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778, fill out a registration form and bring the form along with payment in full (check or cash) to the first class.
Bergen County Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 16th, 11AM to 2PM
All Skill Levels Welcome
The Closter Nature Center is going to participate in the Bergen County Audubon's Annual Christmas Bird Count for the third time! We need spotters with binoculars who can at least distinguish a cardinal from a crow, a chickadee from a blue jay. Learners are very welcome, but we hope several more experienced folk will enjoy the opportunity, and help us out as well.
Come to the cabin first to learn the system, then, spread out in small groups to an area of the Nature Center and record as best you can what you see. If you can't name the bird, note its appearance.
We'll have books available to help you confirm a best guess. Stay for an hour or more, as you are able. Less sturdy hikers are welcome to monitor our busy feeders near the cabin and walk the level ground near the ponds.
No matter the weather, the event will take place, so be sure to dress warmly, especially your feet! The cabin will be open throughout the day.
A few extra binoculars are available at the Nature Center, and Susan McTigue and Jim Lager will be on hand to assist.
NATURALIST’S NOTES:
Fall is slowly coming to an end, and everything in nature is readying for winter. Plants are closing up shop, migrants are leaving,
forest residents are prepping to sleep or stick it out; and we are here to enjoy it all. Late fall is probably my favorite time to be in the woods. Deep breaths of cool autumn air, the sound of crunching leaves under my feet, and that magical fall smell of the forest are just some the reasons to take a hike in December. With the leaves off the trees, visibility is increased and you would be amazed at the number of last years’ nests that are visible now. Animal watching reaches new levels, since seeing birds of all kinds and mammals is easy without leaves blocking your view. The sounds of the forest are enhanced as well. I am always amazed at how far the sounds of woodpeckers can travel in a leafless forest. It’s not just the loud and obvious, but the soft sounds of squirrels’ claws on the bark of tree as they scurry up to safety, and the footsteps of deer traipsing along can finally be heard. As the temperature drops and the days shorten, and we are often feeling trapped inside, let’s not forget what a great time it is to be outside...See you on the trails, Marc Gussen, Naturalist
Hardy Volunteers Needed for Tree Survey
Ever wanted to learn more about the trees in our Nature Center? We are looking for a few volunteers willing to participate in a workshop followed by a tree survey in the woods. The workshop will be held on Saturday, January 13th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM, at the Cabin. There may be an additional time scheduled on Saturday, January 20th, starting at 1:30 PM.
This is an opportunity to learn how to identify ash trees and also, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle killing these trees in our area. EABs are a small, green beetle that targets Ash trees, a tree common to our Nature Center. The Emerald Ash Borer is virtually unstoppable and has already been identified in Rockleigh, Hillsdale and Paramus.
In the central section of the Nature Center, between the White and Red Trails, almost 20 % of the trees are Green Ash. After learning to identify ash trees, participants will be divided into at least 2 teams and assigned a section of the Nature Center to mark all the ash trees they can be sure of. These ash trees will then be located on a GPS database so that it will be easier to return and check on each tree in the future. By clearly identifying where ash trees are grouped or single, we can better anticipate how the canopy will change as they almost inevitably die off, and we can better plan for locating replacement trees. There will certainly be additional opportunities for volunteers to assist in this identification and survey work but we especially need hardy souls willing to learn and then hike through the cold woods on Saturday, Jan. 13th, with their best observation skills at work. Please e-mail Mary Mayer (mary...@aol.com) if you plan to attend...or if you have questions.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
CNC MONTH BY MONTH:
December 16th – Christmas Bird Count, 11 AM -2 PM,
December 26-29…Holiday Break Nature Classes
January 28th Welcome Winter Night Hike, with bonfire!
6:30 to 8 PM
February 11th at 2 PM “Meet the Animals of the CNC”
February 19-22—Winter Break Classes
March “Last Chance Winter Hike” March 18th at 2 PM
Native Plant Society of NJ...Date and time TBA
April 9th – 12th Spring Break Classes
April 15, Soup Supper 5-7 PM
April 22, Earth Day
May – Annual Meeting
June 3rd - Pond Celebration (June 10th rain date)