JANUARY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS:
Winter Wonderland
We will bring in the New Year with the magic of winter!
This month’s program will focus on snow: what it is, where it comes from, and what it means for us and for nature.
We will try to get outside everyday, so please dress for the weather.
Pre-K and K – Tuesdays – 10th, 17th and 24th
1st and 2nd – Wednesdays – 11th, 18th and 25th
3rd thru 6th – Thursdays – 12th, 19th and 26th
Cost: $30 members, $40 non-members……….TIME: 3:45 to 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.
JANUARY PHOTO EXHIBIT AND COMPETITION!
Come one, come all to the Closter Library, and see an exhibit showcasing beautiful photos of the Closter Nature Center! The Closter Nature Center is sponsoring its first photography show during the month of January. Open to children and adults alike, the photos have been taken in many different corners of the Nature Center, in all seasons of the year! The exhibition will be at the Closter Public Library, 280 High Street for the entire month.
For additional information or questions, contact Susan McTigue at msmct4@aol.com or 201-767-0955.
NATURALIST’S NOTES:
Of all of the interactions between kids and nature that warm the heart and illustrate the importance of the natural world in our lives, children and snow are definitely high on the list. There is something about the beauty and serenity of snow that I find captivating, but for kids it’s pure play. I had the pleasure of enjoying our last snow fall with my kids, and after watching it fall and playing in it for about three hours, I realized that the fact they were cold, wet, uncomfortable, tired, and hungry never crossed their minds. After dragging them inside and feeding them hot soup (which they ate outside on the porch), all they talked about was how much fun it was and what they were going to do when they got back outside! I know that copious amounts of snow can be inconvenient for us adults but the joy it brings to children makes it worthwhile. Be prepared: the predictions for this year’s season of fun (based on the El Niño/ La Niña cycles) show the potential for lots of snow. I look forward to being able to share the winter wonderland of a snow covered forest, frost-banked stream, and ice-covered pond with my own kids, the children that come for our after school program this month, and with any one else willing to step outside!
See you on the trails…Marc Gussen, Naturalist
NATURE CENTER COMPLETES NEW BRIDGE!
An aging bridge spanning a stream at the Nature Center has been replaced with a new and sturdier one, thanks to a grant from Whole Foods Market and the great efforts of volunteers from the NY/NJ Trail Conference and our Closter Nature Center. When a $3,500 grant was received from Whole Foods, part of the total was used to purchase lumber and other materials for the new bridge, which is located in the woods just off Ruckman Road. During the weekend of November 12th and 13th, volunteers from both groups joined forces to construct the new bridge. Led by Mary and Gay Mayer, along with Joel Rudin, the old bridge was dismantled and taken away, and the new bridge quickly took shape. Alexandra Bartolotta, the metro marketing team leader in Bergen County for Whole Foods Market, was instrumental in securing the financial support through Whole Foods. Our great thanks to all who supported this project!
A NEW YEAR:
The Perfect Time to Clean Out Your Closets!
Bring your unwanted clothing to the bins located in the Stop and Shop parking lot, and the proceeds will benefit the Closter Nature Center.
Look for the blue and green receptacles
towards the front of the parking lot on Demarest Ave.
Put your unwanted clothing to good use!
———————————————————————————
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
CNC MONTH BY MONTH:
January – Closter Nature Center Photo Exhibition and Competition, shown at the Closter Library
February – Winter Wonderland Hike: 2/19 at 2 PM
Winter Break Program: 2/20 -2/23
March – Meet the Animals of the Closter Nature Center:
3/12 at 2 PM
April 2nd – Soup Supper, 5-7 PM
May – Plants of NJ and Annual Meeting
June 3rd – Pond Celebration (June 10th rain date)
———————————————————————————Print and clip
Corporate Giving
Does your company use Benevity? “Do well by doing good” is the motto of Benevity, an online giving platform used by Fortune 500 companies including Google, Coca-Cola and Microsoft. The Closter Nature Center is now a registered charity on Benevity’s platform. If you are considering a charitable donation, please consider directing it to the Closter Nature Center or directly, at https://www.closternaturecenter.org/involved/donate/index.html .
