• Earth Day 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/ .

     

     


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  • Cancelled: ANNUAL CLOSTER TOWN CLEANUP

    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.


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

     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. 


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

     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. 


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  • March After-School Events PreK to K

     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. 


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  • Pond Celebration 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


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  • CANCELLED: Annual Soup Supper

    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.

     

     

     


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  • February Break Program 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!


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  • Meet the Animals (Cancelled)

    Hands on Education

    Come visit the cabin by the pond and meet the animals of the Closter Nature Center ! Our collection of education animals delights children who come for our after-school programs and summer camp, and now it’s time for everyone to get to meet them!

    Sunday, March 15th at 3 PM

    The program is free, but donations will gladly be accepted.

    Red-Eared Slider


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  • Meet the Animals


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

    VOLCANOES!

    Watch out!!!  Mount Closter is about to erupt again! 
    This month's after school science program will focus on one of the world’s most explosive natural disasters – Volcanoes!
    We will try to get outside each day, so please dress for the weather.

    Kids will make model volcanoes and we will erupt our giant volcano simulator, Mt. Closter!

    PreK and K   Tuesdays   4th - 11th - 25th 
    1st and 2nd  Wednesdays  5th - 12th - 26th
    3rd thru 6th  Thursdays  6th - 13th -  27th

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

    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 and follow directions on form below. 


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

    VOLCANOES!

    Watch out!!!  Mount Closter is about to erupt again! 
    This month's after school science program will focus on one of the world’s most explosive natural disasters – Volcanoes!
    We will try to get outside each day, so please dress for the weather.

    Kids will make model volcanoes and we will erupt our giant volcano simulator, Mt. Closter!

    PreK and K   Tuesdays   4th - 11th - 25th 
    1st and 2nd  Wednesdays  5th - 12th - 26th
    3rd thru 6th  Thursdays  6th - 13th -  27th

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

    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 and follow directions on form below. 


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