COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
1. The Amazing World of Mushrooms
October 17th 7:00 pm
You will not want to miss this captivating and fascinating program: Naturalist Marc Gussenhas offered it often over the years, and always has had a great response. Come learn about mushrooms, their role in the forest...and in the kitchen!
Admission is Free... Donations gratefully accepted.
2. Hello Autumn Hike
Sunday, October 27, at 3 PM
Come visit the Nature Center and join us for a hike along our trails. Enjoy our woods as colors peak in mid - Autumn! Meet at the cabin by Ruckman Pond...
October After-School Programs
Bones, Bats and Black Cats
Nature with a taste of Halloween!
This month we will learn about skeletons, nocturnal animals
and mythical creatures.
Please dress for the weather.
Pk- and K - Tuesdays 15th, 22nd and 29th
1st and 2nd - Wednesdays 16th, 23rd and 30th
3rd thru 6th - Thursdays 17th 24th and 31st
Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
Time: 3:45 - 5:00
To register online please go to:
https://register.communitypass.net/Closterand 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.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Light Exercise for You, Big Help to Your Nature Center
Needed: Deer Fence maintenance volunteers for 2 types of work throughout the year:
A top priority for the Closter Nature Center is to ensure that our magnificent 130 acre forest remains healthy. A significant step in this process was to engage NJ Audubon to conduct a forest survey and develop a Forest Stewardship Plan. One of the threats Audubon identified was the loss of native species due to the deer eating them. To protect new tree seedlings (the future of the forest!), this summer (with support from the Borough of Closter) we installed over 1 mile of deer exclosure fencing. This fencing will remain in place until the seedlings grow large enough to survive the deer (approximately 10 years).
Our challenge now is to monitor the fence to make sure there are no breaks where deer can come in. We are building a team of volunteers to support this effort - please consider joining us. Any time you could give would be very welcome!
We need maintenance volunteers for 2 types of work throughout the year:
- Fence checkers: This role just requires the ability to walk in the woods and to be a good observer. Further details to be provided at the meeting, although may vary depending on the number of volunteers we get.
- Fence repairers: This role is a bit more physically demanding in terms of carrying tools and materials, possible use of a saw, and understanding of the cable system (pretty basic) or willingness to learn. Ideally, we need 3 or 4 people available on call so that someone among them would be free to respond within a day or two to a checker's report of damage.
Learn more and choose how you can help, often or occasionally ... do some good and get some exercise! Maybe bring a friend who might like to work with you once a month or so.
If you would like to be involved in this project please click here https://closternaturecenter.org/volunteer-positions-available/ and fill out our volunteer form at the bottom. Please mention this article.
Thank you for your support!
CNC Month By Month:
October 17th @ 7pm Mushrooms - Marc
October 27th @ 3pm Fall Hike
November 17th @ 2pm Bats
December 22nd @ 3pm Welcome Winter Hike
December Bird Watch
January Photo competition
January 16th @ 7pm Primitive Tech
February 9th @ 3pm Winter Hike
March 15th @ 3pm Meet the animals of the nature center
April 15th @ 7pm Invasive/native plants
April 19th Soup Supper
May Forest Stewardship/deer exclosure community update
May Bird Count
June Summer Hike
June 7th Pond Celebration
