SPRING BIRDING EXPERIENCE:

Saturday, May 5^th 8:00- 10:00 AM

Come join the "early birds" at the Nature Center cabin from 8:00 to 10:00 Saturday morning, May 5th, for a birding adventure with Naturalist Nancy Slowik.  While seasoned birders are welcome, no experience is required. A pair of binoculars is most helpful.  A few extra binoculars will be available for those not able to bring their own.  We will start indoors for some pointers and to see images of the wide variety of birds we hope to spot out on the trails.

This program is geared to adults, but interested young people are welcome.  The walk portion will last about one hour.  Free for members, $5 for non-members. 

CNC ANNUAL MEETING AND LECTURE

Wednesday, May 2nd - 7 PM AT THE CABIN

Impacts of Deer and Invasive Species on Forests in Northern-Central New Jersey

Dr. Jay Kelly from Raritan Valley Community College will be presenting the results of his research on the impacts of overabundant deer and invasive plant species on forests in northern-central NJ. Since 2014, he and his students have studied over 135 forests, primarily in the Raritan Watershed, documenting how tree regeneration and other aspects of forest understories have changed since the mid-Twentieth Century, when deer and invasive plants were much lower in the state. They also studied the effectiveness of different strategies for forest restoration, including exclosures and deer management programs, at improving forest conditions over time. The goals of this research are to provide real-world research opportunities for students, and to provide local communities with information needed to understand these important issues: showing what is happening to our forests, and what can be done to address them.

Jay F. Kelly, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Raritan Valley Community College, where he teaches a wide variety of ecology, botany, zoology and environmental science courses. He holds a BA in Biology and a PhD in Ecology & Evolution, both from Rutgers University. His research interests are the biology and conservation of rare plant and animal species, coastal and forest ecology, and the design and implementation of ecological land management practices that balance the needs of humans with other species in the landscape. His other research interests include plastic marine debris, historical ecology, human ecology, and toxins in consumer products. Dr. Kelly attempts to develop community-based research projects and partnerships that benefit both his students and the communities they serve. He received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his research and service in 2010.

MAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS:

Frogs, Toads and Newts: Amphibians of the Nature Center
Kids will explore the amazing world of amphibians!

Pk-K ....Tuesdays, 5/8, 15th and 22nd
1st and 2^nd.....Wednesdays....5/9, 16th and 23rd
3rd through 6^th......Thursdays......5/10,  17th and 24^th

Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm

Cost - $40 for members, and $50 for non-members.
To register online please go to:

https://register.communitypass.net/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.

CNC 2018 Summer Program: 

Registration Is Ongoing!

The program runs Monday - Thursday for 9 weeks.  Each day includes two sessions as noted below. 

We offer 2-hour programs for children ages 4 - 6 and 3-hour programs for children ages 7 - 10 and 11 - 14.

Fees for the 2-hour programs are: 

$70 for members ($90 for non-members)

Fees for the 3-hour programs are: 

$90 for members ($110 for non-members)

DATES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS:

WEEK #1 June 25 - 28    Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10

WEEK #2 July 9 - 12 Ages 11 -14 and 7 - 10

WEEK #3 July 16 - 19 Ages 7 - 10 and 4 - 6

WEEK #4 July 23 - 26 Ages 7 - 10 and 11 - 14

WEEK #5 July 30 - August 2 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10

WEEK #6 August 6 - 9 Ages 7 - 10 and 11 - 14

WEEK #7 August 13 - 16 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10

WEEK #8 August 20 - 23 Ages 11 - 14 and 7 - 10

WEEK #9 August 27 - 30 Ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10

To register please go to:

https://register.communitypass.net/Closter

and you will be taken to Community Pass, our NEW online registration and payment system.

Any questions? 

Please send to CNCsummer@closternaturecenter.org

Our Thanks go out to the many generous souls who contributed more than 25 homemade soups to our delightful Soup Supper. In addition, The Barn, Closter One, Madeline Petit Paris, La Promenade and Zendiggi all donated soups, and Balthazar Bakery contributed bread! All were delicious!  By the end of the cold, rainy afternoon, (perfect for enjoying soup!), we’d had a warm, friendly and very well attended Soup Supper! 

COMMUNITY PASS: TO HELP US MOVE FORWARD!

To those members that have logged into Community Pass, opened accounts, purchased memberships online or otherwise helped us in updating our administration… THANK YOU!!

For members that haven’t gone to Community Pass, please take a look!  

The link to our “community" is:  https://register.communitypass.net/Closter

Hopefully, this online platform will allow us to spend less time doing paperwork and more time in the great outdoors!

But we need your help. If you have an account on Community Pass, log in and check out the Closter Nature Center offerings.

If you don’t have an account, open one today — it’s free and takes about a minute! By opening an account on Community Pass, we get your email for communication and you can sign up for classes online and purchase your membership online, too.

If you have any questions, please contact admin@closternaturecenter.org

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

CNC MONTH BY MONTH:

May 2 - Annual Meeting and Presentation by Jay Kelly: 7 PM

May 5^th Bird Walk Saturday, 8-10 AM with Nancy Slowik

June 3rd - Pond Celebration (June 10th rain date)

June 25 to August 30 – Summer Programs!

September 30 - Hawks Over the Hudson at State Line Lookout