>> April Events and Activities –>
THE SOUP SUPPER IS BACK!
Sunday, April 7th5-7 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.
The charge is $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 10. Pay at the door. Also available, for only $5 extra, are wonderful ceramic, re-usable soup mugs, with our CNC logo. All proceeds go to support the Nature Center’s education programs.
To contribute much appreciated soups, please call Adri Turrell at (201) 768-3550.Leave a clear message with type of soup, your name and phone number.
Very Important:Please bring hot soups HOT!(Due to limited space, we can’t reheat your delicious soups).
APRIL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
"Spring Has Sprung”
Spring is here, and there is a lot going on in the forest and the pond. Animals are waking up, migrants are returning, buds are opening and the weather is getting more beautiful every day. Let’s go check it out!
We will try to spend as much time as possible outside, so please dress for the weather.
P-K and K.........Tuesdays 2nd, 9th and 23rd
1st and 2nd............Wednesdays 3rd, 10th and 24th
3rd - 6th...........Thursdays 4th, 11th and 25th
Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm
Cost - $40 for members, and $50 for non-members.
To register online please go to:
https://register.communitypass.net/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.
Spring Break Program
Monday, April 15th – Thursday, April 18th
Looking for something for the kids to do during the spring break?
Here is the answer - Bring them to the Nature Center!
The topics will depend on the weather, and they will definitely be fun and educational.To help make these programs fit your schedule, the classes will run for 4 days and kids can sign up for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 of the days.
We will try to spend time outside each day, so please dress for the weather.
1st and 2nd grade: 9:00 - 11:30am
3rd thru 6th grade: 1:00 - 3:30pm
Cost: $80 full session for Members... $100 full session for NON-members
$25 per day for members, $30 per day for non-members
Feel free to sign up online with CommunityPass, if you are signing upfor the whole week.
For Daily Classes, please call Marc at (201) 750-2778 to sign up, then pay $25 or $30 by check or in cash on the day of the program.
Photo Contest and Exhibition!
The 3rd annual Closter Nature Center Photo Exhibition and Contest is on display at the Closter Public Library, 280 High Street, throughout the month of April!
Please join us as contest winners are announced at a Reception on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m. All photos will remain on display until Monday, April 29 and can be picked up starting on April 30.
ANNUAL CLOSTER TOWN CLEANUP
SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Closter Environmental Commission is conducting its Annual Spring Cleanup Drive on Saturday, April 6th from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Starting at 10:00 a.m., meet at the historic Lustron House (421 Durie Avenue) or the Closter Nature Center (154 Ruckman Road). Refreshments and supplies will be provided – all you need to bring is yourself! Students, don’t forget to count these hours toward community service.As the weather warms, take this opportunity to spend a beautiful day outside helping your neighbors keep Closter the clean, green borough we all enjoy. Families are encouraged to participate; children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The members of the Environment Commission look forward to seeing you there! Event details are at the Borough website: www.closternj.us.
RIVERKEEPER PROGRAM AT THE NATURE CENTER
Monday, April 29that 7 PM
Captain Hugh Carola, Program Director at Hackensack Riverkeeper since 2001, will present "From High Tor Mountain to Newark Bay: the Hackensack River and its Waterkeeper".Featuring photos taken from the river’s headwaters to Ports Newark and Elizabeth, the presentation will cover the blended natural and cultural histories of our watershed region. Special emphasis will be given to our organizations’ shared mission of protecting, preserving and restoring the unique wildlife habitats we are privileged to oversee.
****CNC 2019 Summer Program****
Registration Has Begun!
Our 136 acres of ponds, streams, meadows and forest are waiting to be explored by young people in small groups led by a trained naturalist with an assistant. Children will hike, dig, wade in the water, examine nature, discuss the environment and above all, have fun!! For over 45 years, our goal has been to help every child become active and at ease outdoors, to see him/herself as a part of nature and to appreciate the natural world as a source of learning and adventure.
The program runs Monday - Thursday for 9 weeks, beginning June 24th
(Monday – Wednesday during the week of July 1st )
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.
Both morning and afternoon classes are offered each week.
Fees for the 2-hour programs are:
$80 for members ($100 for non-members)
Fees for the 3-hour programs are:
$100 for members ($120 for non-members)
For more information visit our website:
To register please go to:
https://register.communitypass.net/Closter
*** 2019 Closter Nature Center Summer Volunteer Program***
The Closter Nature Center is currently looking for summer volunteers for the Summer Program. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old and entering 9th grade. Volunteers must commit to helping out 4 days a week for a minimum of two weeks between June 24th and August 22nd.
This year the summer program begins on June 24th and runs through August 22nd, 2019. The program runs Monday – Thursday from 8:45 am – 4:15pm. The week of July 1st the program runs Monday – Wednesday (no program on July 4th)
In order to be considered for the program, please complete an application that includes a Parental Consent Form, an essay and recommendation. You must submit your application by April 1st via email to CNCsummer@gmail.com. Please be mindful that there will be a selection process, as we cannot accept every student who applies to the program.
Applications are now available on our website: www.closternaturecenter.org
Or you can request one by emailing cncsummer@gmail.com
FOREST STEWARDSHIP:
Deer Exclusion Fencing Moving Forward
Volunteer Opportunities!
This project has cleared through the Mayor and Council and now the fence installation has gone out for a public bidding process. We hope this request for bids will be completed by the end of March, with installation in early spring. There are still hurdles, such as installer availability and weather, which may delay this process.
WHITE TIES STILL VERY MUCH NEEDED. We need close to 450 ties (approximately 3 foot x 4 inches of light colored sheeting). These will be tied at intervals to help the deer be aware of the black vinyl fencing as it goes up. Scout project? Please leave bags of ties (bundles of about 20), or sheets that we can tear ourselves, on the porch of the Nature Center cabin. Shaggy is fine....THANK YOU!
VOLUNTEERSfor staging materials and on-going fence work: Our list is growing, but we could always use more help. Please email Mary Mayer at marym812@aol.com, or even better, go to closternaturecenter.org, pull down the "Get Involved" tap and click on "Volunteer", where you can fill out the form and indicate the many ways you might like to get involved. Thank you!
Introducing Tom Golodik, our new trail maintenance volunteer. Tom is a long-time Closter resident with lots of trail maintenance experience. He has already been hard at work dealing with some recent blow-downs and stream back-ups. If you meet Tom on the trails, stop and say hello!
CNC Month By Month:
April 6th Closter Clean-Up Day at the cabin, sponsored by the Environmental Commission. 10 AM - 2 PM
April 7th Soup Supper 5-7 PM
April 27th Earth Fair (Tenafly)
April 29th Hackensack River Keeper presentation 7 PM
May 4th Bird Walk 8-10 AM
May 14th Annual Meeting /Forest Stewardship presentation by Marc Gussen 7 PM
May 19th Summer is Coming Hike 3 PM
June 2nd Pond Celebration 1-4 PM
What exactly is the Closter Nature Center?
It is 136 acres of ponds, brooks, meadows and forests in the heart of Closter. It is a series of community happenings: group walks in the woods, evening family programs, and year-round classes for young people. It is individuals hiking, fishing, picnicking, birdwatching, and exploring the natural world. Perhaps most importantly, the Closter Nature Center is an idea in the minds of the people of the community about the kind of place in which they want to live. Tell a friend!
