JANUARY EVENTS AND CLASSES
Hardy Volunteers Needed for Tree Survey
Workshop January 13th , 1:30 -3:30 PM
Ever wanted to learn more about the trees in our Nature Center? We are looking for a few volunteers willing to participate in a workshop followed by a tree survey in the woods. The workshop will be held on Saturday, January 13th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM, at the Cabin. There may be an additional time scheduled on Saturday, January 20th, starting at 1:30 PM.
This is an opportunity to learn how to identify ash trees and also, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle killing these trees in our area. EABs are a small, green beetle that targets Ash trees, a tree common to our Nature Center. The Emerald Ash Borer is virtually unstoppable and has already been identified in Rockleigh, Hillsdale and Paramus.
In the central section of the Nature Center, between the White and Red Trails, almost 20 % of the trees are Green Ash. After learning to identify ash trees, participants will be divided into at least 2 teams and assigned a section of the Nature Center to mark all the ash trees they can be sure of. These ash trees will then be located on a GPS database so that it will be easier to return and check on each tree in the future. By clearly identifying where ash trees are grouped or single, we can better anticipate how the canopy will change as they almost inevitably die off, and we can better plan for locating replacement trees. There will certainly be additional opportunities for volunteers to assist in this identification and survey work but we especially need hardy souls willing to learn and then hike through the cold woods on Saturday, Jan. 13th, with their best observation skills at work. Please e-mail Mary Mayer (marym812@aol.com) if you plan to attend...or if you have questions.
January After-School Classes
********* Winter Wonderland **********
This month's after school program will focus on the nature in the winter. What is all this white stuff? How do animals survive the cold? What’s going on under the ice on the pond? Dress for the weather: we will be going outside as much as possible.
Pre-K and K ...Tuesdays 9th - 16th - 23rd
1st and 2nd... Wednesdays 10th - 17th - 24th
3rd thru 6th ... Thursdays 11th - 18th - 25th
Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm
To register online please go to REGISTER.CAPTUREPOINT.COM/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.
January 28th Welcome Winter Night Hike, With Bonfire!
6:30 to 8 PM
Are you ready for a night to remember?
We will learn about the nocturnal animals of the Nature Center. Meet at the cabin, hike into the darkness for about ½ hour,
then come to the fire ring
for a cozy campfire.
The program is free, but donations will be welcome!
PHOTO CONTEST AND EXHIBITION:
The 2nd Annual CNC Photography Contest & Exhibition will be held at the Closter Library for the month of April. Start looking through your best photos now and visit the Nature Center for some new ones. Details for entering two of your photos will follow next month.
Forest Stewardship Update:
The Closter Nature Center is continuing to evaluate the recommendations contained in the Forest Stewardship Plan. Two Forest Ecologists, professors at Ramapo and Raritan Valley Colleges, were invited to visit the Nature Center and give us their opinions regarding the existing forest conditions and future forest needs. The good news is that they both observed that our forest is in much better condition than other urban forests they have seen in New Jersey! They also recommended that we consider moving forward slowly, and test various interventions as we go. We believe this is the prudent approach, and we will continue to update our members as steps to protect and preserve our forested wetlands are taken. If you are interested in being part of this long-term project, please let us know. Contacts: marym812@aol.com; lorispechler@gmail.com; ravit@envsci.rutgers.edu. We hope to have an engaged group of volunteers who would like to join in this sustainability initiative.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
CNC MONTH BY MONTH:
January 28th Welcome Winter Night Hike, with bonfire!
6:30 to 8 PM
Tree Survey Workshop 1/13, 1:30 to 3:30 PM; and
possibly 1/20
February 11th at 2 PM “Meet the Animals of the CNC”
February 19-22—Winter Break Classes
March “Last Chance Winter Hike” March 18th at 2 PM
Native Plant Society of NJ...Date and time TBA
Photo Contest: Entries Due.
April 9th – 12th Spring Break Classes
April 15, Soup Supper 5-7 PM
April 22, Earth Day
Photo Contest and Exhibit!
May – Annual Meeting
June 3rd - Pond Celebration (June 10th rain date)
