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Naturalist’s Notes: June, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
Summer is almost here and we are gearing up for another round of our summer program. Each year we try to offer an
exciting and affordable science-and-fun-filled outdoor experience for 4- to 14-year-old's. We have two classrooms:one is the Nature Center cabin, and the other is the outdoors: our 136-acre nature center forest accented with 2 ponds and 2 streams! Our main goal is to get kids outside and to get them excited about science and nature. Each week is different, but some of our favorite activities include canoeing, stream walks, animal feedings, treasure hunts, pond scooping, and math (just kidding - no math!). One of the things that really makes our summer program shine is our teenage volunteers. They have all come here for years, and know the trails, know the animals, and - unfortunately for them - they know all my corny jokes too! We look forward to another wonderful summer and invite all returning and new kids to join us for some outdoor science fun!Visit our website, www.closternaturecenter.org, for info on how to get involved.
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
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“I L.O.V.E. Closter”
How to pick the best memes and ‘mom’ advice from Tara Clark, the woman behind @ModernMomProbs
Favorite things to do in Bergen County?
I L.O.V.E. Closter, so I’m always at the Closter Plaza doing The Bar Method or shopping for leggings because #momlife. My family loves to visit the Closter Nature Center for a little hiking and fishing. Mr. Marc (who runs it) is a national treasure!
As far as restaurants, The Hill has an amazing brunch I highly recommend. My fave new place is Jack’s Lobster Shack in Cresskill. Their lobster bisque is fantastic!
For full article go to: NorthJersey.com
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Naturalist’s Notes: May, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
One of the many functions of the Closter Nature Center’s Board of Trustees is to manage this amazing parcel of land and do what's best for its inhabitants. Over the last couple of years we have taken this job seriously and are devoted to protecting not just the forest itself, but also maintaining its unique diversity of plant and animal species. After years of collecting data, researching, and analyzing our options we have identified our most pressing problems and are proudly moving forward with solutions.The over-population of deer, non-native insects attacking our trees, and invasive plants out-competing our native plants are the three biggest threats to diversity that we face. Among the invasive plants that have the ability to squeeze out their native counterparts is "Diversity enemy # 1": the multiflora rose. This Asian import's ability to completely take over and produce a monoculture is second to none. I love all plants, (including multiflora rose), but it’s ability to take over is why one of our goals in managing our forest is the labor intensive removal of this beautiful but out-of-place plant. If you feel that helping to protect our little gem of a forest is something that you would be willing to devote some time and sweat to, please join us!
Visit our website, www.closternaturecenter.org, for info on how to get involved,and please join us for an upcoming presentation on Forest Stewardship!
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
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Naturalist Notes: April, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
Each spring, ponds like our very own Ruckman pond go through an amazing seasonal shift.First, the increasing day length and higher sun angle lead to a melting of the ice and a warming of the pond’s water and bottom sediment.
The shallow nature of ponds lets some of the sun light reach the dark colored bottom and warm it from underneath. This lets the warming sediment begin the yearly rebirth of the pond's phytoplankton, zooplankton and insect life.
While some of these tiny pond dwellers are out and about during the winter, most are hidden away in the pond’s muddy bottom until conditions are right for them to return. The warmth wakes them up, and then they quickly go to work. The tiny "plant-like" phytoplankton use that sun light combined with nutrients dissolved in the pond water to do the magic of photosynthesis and make much of the food that will feed the rest of the pond’s inhabitants.
Some of the zooplankton, or "animal-like" microscopic creatures rely on decomposing last year’s bounty, but most await the bloom of phytoplankton and graze like rabbits in a field of clover. The exponential growth of the zooplankton is just one link in the food chain, as they become much-needed sustenance for the waking insect life stirred from long winter’s nap. The pond’s fish, rejuvenated by warming water, get ready for their spring reproduction attempts by feeding heavily on all of this new-found food. Most of this spring activity we miss, not just because it is under water, but because most of the pond’s life is microscopic. They might be small but they are what makes the pond’s glory possible.
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
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Naturalist Notes: March, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
Many of the animals that we love and care for here at the Nature Center were once brought here as unwanted pets. Their stories vary considerably, but they all have a common thread - they really needed a new home. Sometimes it is a simple case of: "I never thought it would live this long and my son is going off to college" or, "The kids have lost interest and my husband is stuck doing all the work". Other times a conscientious caregiver just becomes unable to continue providing for a beloved pet, and responsibly seeks out the best new home they can find. On occasions (thankfully rare), animals get dropped off with out a call or even a note. No matter what the circumstances, we do our best to find or give them a good home. Having a pet can be a huge responsibility and require lots of time and love. Obviously, a horse will require more effort and resources than a goldfish, but both will rely on you just the same. Having a pet is commitment that is easier to make when a person truly understands what it actually takes to care for whatever animal they choose. A large jungle bird that needs its own room in the house, eats $100 worth of macadamia nuts a week, and could live to be 60 years old might not be the best choice for most prospective pet owners, despite the flashy plumage. The joys of having animal companions can be amazing but those joys don't come without hard work and daily devotion. If your kids are dying for a pet, but you just don't have room in your life for yet another responsibility, don't worry- that's just one of the reasons the Nature Center animals are here. Kids can get exposed to the many joys of animals, (but you won't have to go to the pet store every week to buy crickets!).
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
P.S. Cute Kid’s QuoteOne day with a room filled with 2nd graders, I was talking about how animals don't just talk with sounds, but that many animals can communicate with their bodies.
I asked them what a dog "says" when it wags its tail?A boy responded with "Ruff! Ruff!"
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Naturalist Notes: February, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
For many years now we have offered programs for kids during school vacations. These programs started due to the number of calls I would get prior to (and during) vacations asking if we have anything for kids to do while they are out of school.
We started to offer school break programs regularly and they have been a part of our pledge to offer affordable environmental education to our community. The programs we offer include our summer nature program, our after-school program and the school break program.
All of the classes I teach have a few simple goals: (1) to get kids excited about science and nature; (2) to get kids outside, learning and exploring the natural world; and (3) to help close the widening gap between our modern world and the natural world. I don't expect that every child who comes through will end up working in zoo or becoming a botanist, just as we don't expect every kid that learns to play a musical instrument to end up in Carnegie Hall. It's about exposure, a well-rounded education and upbringing.
We will continue to offer opportunities for the children of our community to embrace the natural world in fun, exciting, and engaging ways. This month we are offering both our after-school science programs and the winter break program: two great ways to get kids outside and learning!
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
P.S. Cute Kid’s QuoteOne day with a room filled with 2nd graders, I was talking about how animals don't just talk with sounds, but that many animals can communicate with their bodies.
I asked them what a dog "says" when it wags its tail?A boy responded with "Ruff! Ruff!"
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