• INTRODUCTION TO BIRDING

    on February 16, 2022

    Introduction to Birding

    Have you ever wanted to get into birding but are not sure where to start? Now is your chance to learn how to get started (just in time for spring migration)!

    What: Introduction to Birding Workshop

    When: Sunday, March 20th

    Time: 9:00-11:00am

    Cost: $20 for members / $35 non-members (all proceeds go to benefit the Closter Nature Center)

    Pre-Registration: Required  (see link below)

    The first portion of the class will cover basic bird identification, birding etiquette, places to go, a high-level overview of tools you might need or want such as binoculars and cameras, an overview of websites, apps, and other tools.

    We will also discuss binoculars, the primary tool of birders. Bring your own or we will have "loaners" available.

    Once we have the basics down, in the second part of the session we will explore the pond and surrounding trails while applying and practicing what we learned.

    Please note this workshop is primarily intended for adults and will be led by birding enthusiast and long-time Closter Nature Center volunteer Joel Rudin. 

     

    Registration

    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 our Naturalist, Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.

    Hummingbird (photo courtesy: Jim Lager)


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  • February 2022 School Break Program

    on February 2, 2022

    February School Break Program

    Need something fun and educational for the kids to do during the Winter break? We’ll have four days of nature exploration and discovery here at the Closter Nature Center! It is imperative that kids dress appropriately for the weather, as we plan to be outside as much as possible.

    Mask wearing is mandatory if we go inside the Nature Center building. 

    Monday, February 21st – Thursday, February 24th

    9:00 am - 10:30 am….1st - 3rd grade

    11:00 am - 12:30 pm……..4th - 7th grade

    1:30 pm - 2:30 pm………………Kindergarten

    3:00 pm - 4:30 pm………………1st - 3rd grade

    1st-7th Grades: $100/week for members, $120/week for non-members 

    Kindergarten: $80/week for members, $100/week for non-members.

     

     

    Registration

    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 our Naturalist, Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.


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  • February 2022 After-School Classes

    on January 21, 2022

    After-School Program

    February After-School Program 

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun! Please dress for the weather as we will be outside for most of the sessions. We will move into the cabin for severe weather. Masks will be required when inside the Nature Center building.

    $50/ 2 week program for Members

    $60/ 2 week program Non-members

    Tuesdays - February 8th and 15th Kindergarten 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Wednesdays - February 9th and 16th 1st - 3rd 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Thursdays - February 10th and 17th 4th - 6th Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm

     

     

    Registration

    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 our Naturalist, Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.


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  • January 2022 After-School Classes

    on December 20, 2021

    After-School Program

    January After-School Program 

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun! Please dress for the weather as we will be outside for most of the sessions. We will move into the cabin for severe weather. Masks will be required when inside the Nature Center building.

    $75/ 3 week program for Members

    $90/ 3 week program Non-members

    Mondays - January 10th, 17th and 24th 1st- 3rd Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Tuesdays - January 11th, 18th and 25th Kindergarten 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Wednesdays - January 12th, 19th and 26th 1st - 3rd 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Thursdays - January 13th, 20th and 27th 4th - 6th Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm

     

     

    Registration

    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 our Naturalist, Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.


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  • Audubon Christmas Bird Count at the CNC

    on December 7, 2021

    Calling all citizen scientists!!

    Bergen County Christmas Bird Count 
    Saturday, December 18th, 2021

    Time: 9AM - 1PM

    Event is free and open to the public. Registration not necessary.

    Once again, the Closter Nature Center is going to participate in Bergen County Audubon's Annual Christmas Bird Count!  We need spotters with binoculars who can at least distinguish a cardinal from a crow, a chickadee from a blue jay. Birders-in-training are welcome, but also hoping that several more experienced birders will enjoy the opportunity to count birds!

    Come to the Log Cabin by the Pond to learn the counting system, then, spread out in small groups to an area of the Nature Center and record as best you can what you see.  If you can't name the bird, note its appearance. 

    Download a birding app and / or look through books that will be available to help you confirm a best guess. Stay for an hour or more, as you are able.  Less sturdy hikers are welcome to monitor our busy feeders near the cabin and walk the level ground near the ponds. 

    No matter the weather, the event will take place, so be sure to dress warmly, especially your feet!   The cabin will be open throughout the morning. Please wear masks inside the cabin.   

    Volunteers also needed to help with set-up, clean-up and organize refreshments. Please email admin@closternaturecenter.org or call Naturalist Marc Gussen at 201-750-2778.

    What to bring: binoculars, warm clothes and a good attitude !

    Note: There will be some binoculars to borrow and a few experienced bird watchers for guidance. 


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  • December Nature Fun for Little Ones (CANCELLED!)

    on November 19, 2021

    Mrs. Wonderwhy's NATURE FUN FRIDAYS

    December theme is "Birds Who Stay" 
     
    Join Mrs. Wonderwhy in magical December when we'll learn about some of our local feathered friends who do not migrate but adapt, and stay in our area all winter long! We'll meet my friendly great-horned owl puppet "Whoozy" who will introduce other wintertime wild bird friends to the children. Together, we'll make a life-sized giant eagle's nest using twigs and sticks from the Nature Center Woods and create easy bird feeders to hang in their own backyards. Everything "wild birds" including songs, eggs, nests, and feathers will be explored through games, crafts, and movement! One hour classes are indoors and outdoors, so please remember masks and dress children for the weather.
    Enrollment is for two one-hour classes:

    Preschoolers (ages 2 - 4) Fridays, December 3rd and 10th 11:00 AM - 12 PM

    Cost is $40 for Members, $50 for Non-Members

    *Classes are held outdoors.*

    Please understand that this is not a drop-off program, and adult caregivers will be asked to join in on the fun while helping Mrs. Wonderwhy (aka long-time preschool instructor Maria Costa) keep children safe. All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    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 email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • Holiday Break Science Program

    on November 18, 2021

    December Vacation Nature Program

    Need something fun and educational for the kids to do during the holiday break? We’ll have four days of nature exploration and discovery here at the Closter Nature Center! It is imperative that kids dress appropriately for the weather, as we plan to be outside as much as possible. Masks will be required when inside the nature center building

    1st-7th grades: $100/week for members, $120/week for non-members 

    Kindergarten: $80/week for members, $100/week for non-members. 

    Monday December 27th - Thursday December 30th

    9:00 am - 10:30 am 1st - 3rd grade

    11:00 am - 12:30 pm 4th - 7th grade

    1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Kindergarten

    3:00 pm - 4:30 pm 1st - 3rd grade

    Please sign up online with Community Pass.

    Membership can also be purchased at Community Pass, an online registration portal. For more information about membership levels, go to www.closternaturecenter.org/membership.

    Any questions? Call Naturalist Marc at (201)750-2778 

     

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  • December After-School Classes

    on November 18, 2021

    After-School Program

    December After School Program

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun!  Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside for most of the sessions. We will move into the cabin for severe weather. Masks will be required when inside the nature center building

    $75/ 3 week program for Members - $90/ 3 week program Non-members

    Mondays - Dec 6th, 13th and 20th 1st- 3rd Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Tuesdays - Dec 7th, 14th and 21st Kindergarten 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Wednesdays - Dec 8th, 15th and 22nd 1st - 3rd 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Thursdays - Dec 9th, 16th and 23rd 4th - 6th Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm

     

     

    Registration

    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 our Naturalist, Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.


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  • November Nature Fun for Little Ones

    on October 31, 2021

    Mrs. Wonderwhy's Nature Fun for Little Ones

    First Families and the Forest"  In November, Mrs. Wonderwhy will introduce Preschoolers and their caregivers to the fascinating culture of the Leni Lenape Native Americans from long ago. Who were the Leni Lenape and where are they now? How did they live and what did they wear? What kind of houses did they live in? What did they eat and how did the children help gather food? We'll answer these questions and  "track" animals, set-up camp, and play Leni Lenape children's games together! 

    Enrollment is for two one-hour classes:

    Preschoolers (ages 2 - 4) Fridays, November 12th and 19th 11:00 AM - 12 PM

    Cost is $40 for Members, $50 for Non-Members

    *Classes are held outdoors.*

    Please understand that this is not a drop-off program, and adult caregivers will be asked to join in on the fun while helping Mrs. Wonderwhy (aka long-time preschool instructor Maria Costa) keep children safe. All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    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 email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • Teachers’ Convention Break Science Program

    on October 20, 2021

    Vacation Nature Program

    Need something fun and educational for the kids to do during the teachers’ convention break? We’ll have two days of nature exploration and discovery here at the Closter Nature Center!

    It is imperative that kids dress appropriately for the weather, as we plan to be outside for the full program. In case of inclement weather we may need to use the nature center building and masks will be required.

    Thursday November 4th and Friday November 5th

         1st-7th grades: $25/day for members, $30/day for non-members

         Kindergarten: $20/day for members, $25/day for non-members.

         9:00 am - 10:30 am 1st - 3rd grade

         11:00 am - 12:30 pm 4th - 7th grade

         1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Kindergarten

         3:00 pm - 4:30 pm 1st - 3rd grade

    Please sign up online with Community Pass.

    Membership can also be purchased at Community Pass, an online registration portal. For more information about membership levels, go to www.closternaturecenter.org/membership.

    Any questions? Call Naturalist Marc at (201)750-2778 

     

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  • Adult Hikes 2

    on October 18, 2021

    A Walk in the Woods

    Come join Naturalist Marc Gussen at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor exercise and interesting forest facts! 

    Monday, November 8th 9:30 -11:00

    Tuesday, November 16th 9:30 - 11:00

    $10/hike for Members - $15/hike for Non-members

    *Classes will meet on the porch of the Log Cabin and will be held outdoors.*

    All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    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 email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • Adult Hikes

    on October 18, 2021

    A Walk in the Woods

    Come join Naturalist Marc Gussen at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor exercise and interesting forest facts! 

    Monday, November 8th 9:30 -11:00

    Tuesday, November 16th 9:30 - 11:00

    $10/hike for Members - $15/hike for Non-members

    *Classes will meet on the porch of the Log Cabin and will be held outdoors.*

    All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    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 email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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