Closter Nature Center Newsletter - May, 2017
lorispechler
CLOSTER NATURE CENTER NEWS
P.O. BOX 80, CLOSTER, NJ 07624 closternaturecenter.org
By the pond on Ruckman Road
MAY, 2017
Our Thanks go out to the many generous souls who contributed more than 25 homemade soups to our delightful Soup Supper. In addition, The Barn, Closter One, Chez Madeline, La Promenade and Zendiggi all donated soups! Balthazar Bakery contributed bread, and Whole Foods butter, celery and carrots. All were delicious! By the end of the lovely, sunny afternoon we’d had one of our most successful Soup Suppers ever!
In addition, picnic tables were purchased by the CNC to support our school, after-school and summer programs. Lowe's generously donated the cost of delivery for all four tables and gave us a discount on the overall purchase as well. Many thanks!
MAY AND JUNE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
May After-School Programs:
“Pond Life”
This month’s after-school program will focus on pond animals.
Who lives in the pond, and why? Come find out!
We will spend as much time outside as possible,
so please dress for the weather.
Pk and K......Tuesdays - 9th, 16th and 23rd
1st and 2nd ......Wednesdays - 10th, 17th and 24th
3rd thru 6th............Thursdays - 11th, 18th and 25th
Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
Time: 3:45 - 5:00
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.
EXTRA!
SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH ANNUAL CLEANUP DRIVE—
Closter Borough Hall and Nature Center
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Closter Environmental Commission is conducting its Annual Cleanup Drive on Saturday, April 29th from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Staging stations will be at the Closter Borough Hall and the Closter Nature Center, (Ruckman Rd.). 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. Join the volunteer members of the Environmental Commission, Closter Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts during International Sustainability Day on April 29th! Event details are at the Borough website: www.closternj.us.
Closter Nature Center Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 4th at 7 PM
Log Cabin
Have you had your annual checkup this year? Do you ever bring your pet to the vet? How about a checkup for our forest?
Please join us for a discussion of the long-term health of our forest at the Closter Nature Center. Discussion will be based on a report commissioned by our Board of Trustees and a scientific survey done by New Jersey Audubon. What is going right and … what is going wrong and what can be done going forward.
Special Guest: Ryan Hasko, NJ Audubon
Steward Project Coordinator
Panelists: Marc Gussen, CNC Director & Naturalist; Beth Ravit, Rutgers Co-Director, Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES) & Trustee; Mary Mayer, CNC Land Chairperson
SPRING BIRDING EXPERIENCE:
Saturday, May 6th 8:00- 9:30 AM
Come join the "early birds" at the Nature Center cabin from 8:00 to 9:30 Saturday morning, May 6th, for a birding adventure with Naturalist Nancy Slowik. While seasoned birders are welcome, no experience is required. A pair of binoculars is most helpful. A few extra binoculars will be available for those not able to bring their own. We will start indoors for some pointers and to see images of the wide variety of birds we hope to spot out on the trails.
This program is geared to adults, but interested young people are welcome. The walk portion will last about one hour. Free for members, $5 for non-members.
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! The last four have been such fun that we’ve decided to celebrate again! 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 Pond hikes
Animal shows Live music
Tie-dying tee-shirts Arts and Crafts
Pond Animal Scooping Science Activities
…And more!
Bring your family and friends, grandparents, aunts, cousins and uncles!
Admission is FREE
Naturalist’s Notes:
The Nature center is home to a quite a few education animals. From Captain Crunch the snapping turtle to Broccoli the bullfrog, these animals are put to use to help teach kids about the natural world. Some of the animals come with me to schools and some stay here at the nature center, but all of them are important, in that they give kids first hand exposure to animals.
The elementary school science programs we teach on topics like ecology and habitats are accented with live animals to help bring home points about animal adaptations and food webs. For the more advanced curriculum of middle-schoolers, we have programs about the diversity of life on earth and invasive species, in which our live animal collection is also put to use.
During our after school programs and our summer camp, our education animals are a big part of the show, as feeding time and exercise time can be enjoyed by the kids.
While we use animals in our programs and help with advice about wildlife, the nature center is not a vet office or an animal shelter. If an animal is injured I can give you advice on what the best options are. More often than not wild animals do not need our help. If you have an unwanted pet please do not drop it off here! I might be able to help with getting it to a good home, but please call first.
Feel free to give a call with questions about wildlife and what, if anything, needs to be done help them.
See you on the trails! Marc Gussen, Naturalist
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 and 4. 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.
Registration forms can be picked up at the cabin by Ruckman Pond.
QUESTIONS? E-mail CNCs...@gmail.com, or check the website: http://www.closternaturecenter.org/resources/docs/summer.pdf