• October After-School Classes

    on September 23, 2020

    Fall Outdoor Science Programs

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun!
    Our fall afternoon programs are designed to accent school system's half-days and online curricula.
    We will be keeping our class sizes small (8 maximum + teacher + assistant) and will be adhering to CDC guidelines. 
    Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside in our outdoor classroom.
    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.
     If you have any questions please call Naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.

    OCTOBER CLASSES ARE OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 

    October 1st - 3rd Grade  (Chose One 4-week session) 

    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members
    Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
    Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 
    Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  7th, 14th, 21st and 28th (FULL)
    Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
    Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00  8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

    October 4th - 7th Grade (Chose One 4-week session) 

    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members
    Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00  5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
    Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 
    Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00  8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

    November 1st - 3rd Grade  (Chose One 4-week session)

    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members  

    Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00 2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th
    Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  3rd, 10th, 17th and Dec. 1st
    Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  4th, 11th, 18th and Dec. 2nd
    Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00  5th, 12th, 19th and Dec. 3rd

    November 4th - 7th Grade (Chose One 4-week session) 

    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members
    Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00  2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th
    Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00   3rd, 10th, 17th and Dec. 1st
    Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  4th, 11th, 18th and Dec. 2nd
    Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00  5th, 12th, 19th and Dec. 3rd

    Continue reading

  • VOLUNTEER PROJECT – Forest Stewardship

    on September 2, 2020

    CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

         Would you like an excuse to get outside and exercise while supporting the Closter Nature Center? The Forest and Trail Stewardship Project is looking for volunteers to maintain trails and repair the native species fence enclosures. This work can be strenuous, especially after an intense storm brings down tree limbs that block the hiking trails or create breaks in the fencing. Teams of at least two are needed to remove these blockages or repair the fences.

         If you would like to hear more about this volunteer opportunity, please join us for a meeting at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 12 at the Closter Nature Center cabin porch. Mask required.

    Rain date: following the Saturday, 9/19. 

        Teenagers partnering with an adult are welcome. If you cannot attend the meeting but would like more information, please contact Tom Golodnik (t.golodik@verizon.net) or Beth Ravit (bravit@scarletmail.rutgers.edu).


    Continue reading

  • After-School Classes

    on August 30, 2020

    Fall Outdoor Science Programs

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun!
     
    Our fall afternoon programs are designed to accent school system's half-days and online curricula.
    We will be keeping our class sizes small (8 maximum + teacher + assistant) and will be adhering to CDC guidelines. 
     
    Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside in our outdoor classroom.
     
    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.
     
     If you have any questions please call Naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.
     

    SEPTEMBER CLASSES ARE OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 

    September 1st - 3rd Grade (Chose One 3-week session)  

     
    $75/session for Members - $100/session Non-members
     
    Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00     14th, 21st and 28th
     
    Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:00    15th, 22nd and 29th 
     
    Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00    16th, 23rd and 30th
     
    Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00     17th, 24th and October 1st
     
     

    September 4th - 7th Grade (Chose One 3-week session)

     
    $75/session for Members - $100/session Non-members
     
    Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00 14th, 21st and 28th
     
    Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  15th, 22nd and 29th 
     
    Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  16th, 23rd and 30th
     
    Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00 17th, 24th and October 1st
     
     

    October 1st - 3rd Grade  (Chose One 4-week session) 

     
    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members
     
    Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
     
    Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 
     
    Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
     
    Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00  8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th
     

    October 4th - 7th Grade (Chose One 4-week session) 

     
    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members
     
    Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00  5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
     
     
    Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 
     
     
    Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
     
     
    Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00  8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th
     

    November 1st - 3rd Grade  (Chose One 4-week session)

    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members  

    Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00 2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th
     
    Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  3rd, 10th, 17th and Dec. 1st
     
    Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00  4th, 11th, 18th and Dec. 2nd
     
    Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00  5th, 12th, 19th and Dec. 3rd
     

    November 4th - 7th Grade (Chose One 4-week session) 

    $100/session for Members - $125/session Non-members
     
    Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00  2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th
     
    Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00   3rd, 10th, 17th and Dec. 1st
     
    Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00  4th, 11th, 18th and Dec. 2nd
     
    Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00  5th, 12th, 19th and Dec. 3rd

    Continue reading

  • Closter Nature Center Annual Meeting

    on May 10, 2020

    You are cordially invited to join us for the Annual Meeting of the Closter Nature Center (CNC). 
    This meeting is an annual event open to the public and our membership where the CNC Board of Trustees will discuss Nature Center highlights of the past year and look ahead to the upcoming year. Due to health concerns and Covid-19, we will be holding the meeting via Zoom this year. 

    Topic: Closter Nature Center Annual Meeting
    When: May 12, 2020 
    Time: 7:30PM 
    Where: via Zoom 

    Please reply to admin@closternaturecenter.org to request login information for the meeting and include “Annual Meeting Request” in the subject line. 

    Click *HERE* to see the Closter Nature Center Google calendar. Click the *+* sign in lower right hand corner to add the calendar to your list. 
    Meeting should last approximately 30-45 minutes. 

    Hope to see you there!


    Continue reading

  • Earth Day 2020

    on April 18, 2020

    Please join us (virtually) to celebrate the

     50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

    APRIL 22, 2020

     

    Here are some fun facts about Earth Day from www.earthday.org

    • Earth Day is April 22 of every year. April 22, 2020 will mark 50 years of Earth Day.
    • The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action.
    • Earth Day was started as a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, smog, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet.
    • The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement, and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.

    Want to celebrate but don’t know how? Here are some virtual and virtually free suggestions from Closter Nature Center (CNC) Trustees and other friends of the Closter Nature Center.

    Several Trustees recommended "The Overstory", a book by Richard Powers and winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. "The Overstory" is also a podcast on Sierra Club's website. "The first episode of  The Overstory's second season was originally intended as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day" but as the pandemic unfolded, they pivoted to consider what social activism will look like in this season of social distancing.

    CNC Trustee Sue Kozel: This link --> https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/earth-day-activities/ contains lots of ideas to celebrate Earth Day. It's the perfect time to start thinking about teaching your children why Earth Day is important and how they can help protect the environment!

    CNC Trustee Susan McTigue: Discover Jane Goodall, her research and videos at janegoodall.org.

    “Only if we understand, will we care.  Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall we all be saved."  

    -- Dr. Jane Godall

    CNC Trustee Karen Seagaard: Let’s turn the annual town wide cleanup into a cleanup of our yards and in front of our houses!

    CNC Trustee Ann Ginsberg: Go outside and take a photo of the nature in your world —the gardens and forests so critical to both our physical and mental wellbeing. Share the photos on our Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/closternaturecenter/to

    CNC Trustee Lori Spechler: Use some of those home cooking scraps to start a compost station in your own backyard. Lots videos on youtube.com including this one from Better Homes & Gardens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGRunDez1j4

    From Linda Sloginski: Join a virtual gathering on Fungi Day, April 21st.  #FantasticFung ihttps://www.facebook.com/355308397955395/posts/1589175674568655/?sfnsn=mo .

    Via Hugh Carolla, Hackensack Riverkeeper: Feeling bored and cooped up? The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is coming back to Rockland County to uplift, inspire and connect you with the world and its wonders. Watch in the comfort and safety of your own home. Click on the link to see lineup and register: http://www.suffernfilmfest.com/film-lineup/ .

     

     


    Continue reading

  • Cancelled: ANNUAL CLOSTER TOWN CLEANUP

    on March 15, 2020

    Clean-up, clean up…

    The Closter Environmental Commission is conducting its Annual Spring Cleanup Drive on Saturday, April 4th 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.


    Continue reading

  • March After-School Classes 3rd-6th Gr.

    on February 26, 2020

     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 and K   Tuesdays   10th - 17th - 24th 
    1st and 2nd  Wednesdays  11th - 18th - 27th
    3rd thru 6th  Thursdays  12th - 19th - 20th 

    Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
    Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm

    We encourage everyone to register on online at Community Pass. To register online please click the blue button below and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you must to register in person, please call Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778 and follow directions on form below. 


    Continue reading

  • March After-School Classes 1st & 2nd Gr.

    on February 26, 2020

     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 and K   Tuesdays   10th - 17th - 24th 
    1st and 2nd  Wednesdays  11th - 18th - 27th
    3rd thru 6th  Thursdays  12th - 19th - 20th 

    Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
    Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm

    We encourage everyone to register on online at Community Pass. To register online please click the blue button below and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you must to register in person, please call Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778 and follow directions on form below. 


    Continue reading

  • March After-School Events PreK to K

    on February 26, 2020

     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 and K   Tuesdays   10th - 17th - 24th 
    1st and 2nd  Wednesdays  11th - 18th - 25th
    3rd thru 6th  Thursdays  12th - 19th - 20th 

    Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
    Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm

    We encourage everyone to register on online at Community Pass. To register online please click the blue button below and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you must to register in person, please call Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778 and follow directions on form below. 


    Continue reading

  • Pond Celebration 2020

    on February 21, 2020

    Closter Nature Center Blow-Out

    Join us for our annual celebration of nature and good vibes! Activities for children and the young-at-heart around and on the pond at the Nature Center. 

     

    Come join us for day of fun honoring the Nature Center’s Ruckman Pond! A place so special deserves a day of its own!

    MUSIC! CANOE RIDES!  ARTS & CRAFTS! TIE-DYED T-SHIRTS!  POND SCIENCE! 

    AND IT'S ALL FREE! Can it get any better than that?

    You could be a volunteer! Fill out the form below with your availability (hours) and expertise (crafter, paddler, musician...). 

    POND CELEBRATION VOLUNTEER

    Fields marked with * are required


    Continue reading

  • CANCELLED: Annual Soup Supper

    on February 21, 2020

    Tasty Fundraiser!!

    Annual Soup Supper

    Date: Sunday, April 19th 

    Time: 5:00-7:00pm

    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 6:30pm for best selection.

     

     

     


    Continue reading

  • February Break Program 2020

    on February 16, 2020

    Staycation at the Nature Center!

    Need something fun and educational for the kids to do during the holiday break?

    We have the answer: four days of nature exploration and fun with animals here at the Closter Nature Center.

    Depending on your schedule you can sign up for one, two, three or all four days.

    We will try to spend time outside each day, so please dress for the weather.

    Monday February 17th - Thursday February 20th

    1st and 2nd grade 9:00 - 11:30
    3rd thru 6th grade 1:00 - 3:30 

    Cost:  $80.00 /  session, Member; $100 / session, NON-Members

                    $25.00 / day for Members; $30 / day for NON-Members

    TO REGISTER ONLINE please click the blue button below 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.

    Winter fun!


    Continue reading