Contact:

SANDY PERRY, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
PHONE: 908-234-1225, EXT. 104
SANDY@NJCONSERVATION.ORG

Join NJCF for 'Dog Days of Winter' hike

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STOCKTON, NJ, Feb. 26, 2008 – The dog days of summer, as everyone knows, are sometimes too hot and humid for exercising outdoors with furry friends. Late winter, in contrast, is a perfect time for enjoying a cool romp through the woods with Fido.

Dog owners and their pooches are invited to join New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 15, for a “Dog Days of Winter” hike in Stockton, Hunterdon County. Hikers will meet at the historic Prallsville Mills off Route 29 in Stockton and walk their leashed dogs to the nearby trails of the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve.

“Without the bugs, ticks and heat of summer, there’s no better time to bring your dog on a hike of our beautiful Wickecheoke Creek Preserve,” said Marie Newell, NJCF project coordinator, who is leading the hike. “You can enjoy the winter views and explore the trails as you and your pal meet other furry friends.”

Attending the event will be Mary Jasch, author of “Best Hikes with Dogs – New Jersey,” and Lance Casper, one of America’s top dog trainers. Jasch and Casper will provide tips on hiking with dogs, including trail etiquette, avoiding encounters with wildlife and treating the land with respect. Jasch will also give a brief overview of her book, which lists and describes dozens of places where nature-loving dog owners can walk, hike and run with their dogs.

Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance so organizers will know how many humans and canines to expect. For directions, more information, or to RSVP, call NJCF’s Stockton office at 609-773-0333. Hikers should wear warm clothing and comfortable hiking boots, and bring along a leash.

For more information about other NJCF hikes and programs, visit our website at www.njconservation.org.

The Wickecheoke Creek Preserve is a growing network of preserved land along a scenic tributary of the Delaware River. NJCF-owned properties in the preserve are open to the public for hiking, fishing and nature observation.