All events are free and will be held at

Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, 170 Longview Road, Chester Twp., unless otherwise noted.

Pre-registration is required, as space is

often limited. NJCF members receive

first preference.

For more information, please contact Meghan McMahon at 908-234-1225 x105 or e-mail meghan@njconservation.org.

WALKS & TALKS 2008

May

Saturday, May. 17, 9 a.m.-noon

SPRING FUN: OUR 2nd ANNUAL KIDS DAY

Children will learn the wonders of nature and have fun at the same time while completing a scavenger hunt in our lovely park setting. Other games and crafts will delight children ages 2-10. Registration is required.

June

Tuesday, June 17, 9 a.m.-noon

PHOTO WORKSHOP WITH DWIGHT HISCANO

Dwight Hiscano, professional photographer, will offer a brief description of photography equipment, techniques, locations, film processing, and printing and framing. An hour of field work will help you assess the potential of a natural setting for artistically rendering images on film. The field work will be followed by a slide presentation including discussion of locations & subjects, proper exposure, behavior of natural light and more! Registration is required and a $20 per person fee is payable in advance. Space is limited to 20 participants.

August

Saturday, Aug. 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

BUTTERFLY WALK THROUGH THE PARK

Our resident biologist, Dr. Emile DeVito, will spark the interest of children and adults alike with little known facts about New Jersey’s beautiful butterflies, and tips on creating gardens to attract caterpillars and butterflies. After a brief presentation, take a walk to find and identify the numerous butterflies in the park! Registration is required.

September

Saturday, Sept. 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

ORGANIC GARDENING WITH MARK CANRIGHT

Organic farmer Mark Canright will delight you with his dry sense of humor while giving valuable tips on how to grow organic produce. There will be activities for the children including planting seeds to take home and grow. Registration is required.

October

Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-noon

7th ANNUAL GREAT SWAMP WALK

Join NJCF and the Great Swamp Watershed Association to explore GSWA's Conservation Area. Upstream from the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, this 50-acre forested wetland contains vernal pools, streams, and woodland with wildflowers and wildlife aplenty.

November

Sunday, Nov. 9

ANNUAL DONALD JONES MEMORIAL HIKE

Meet at the historic Prallsville Mill in Stockton, New Jersey to explore NJCF’s Wickecheoke Creek Greenway by hiking various preserved properties. The hike is in recognition of the work that the late Donald Jones accomplished in this region during his lifetime. The hikes are followed by a tea at the Prallsville Mill.

PAST WALKS & TALKS

Saturday, Feb. 2

WINTER ASTRONOMY: THE RADIANT NIGHTTIME SKY REVEALED

Nearly 50 stargazers came out to discover the beautiful night sky. A slide show introduction to basic astronomy was followed by an outdoor laser sky tour. Participants were able to view Mars in transit, Saturn, and deep sky objects such as planetary nebula, globular star clusters, asterisms and constellations, galaxies, and double stars. Telescope viewing was provided by members of the Willingboro Astronomical Society (WAS) and Astronomical Society of Toms River Area (ASTRA), and other volunteers.

Thursday, Feb. 21

MAPPING YOUR COMMUNITY: USING GIS

Laura Szwak, Director of Statewide Greenways at NJCF, helped participants discover the natural features in their communities through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a powerful computer map-making tool. During this interactive workshop, co-led by NJCF's GIS manager Tanya Nolte, more than a dozen participants learned about local forests, wetlands and trails, locate preserved land, and discover what open spaces are in need of preservation. Participants received customized maps of their towns and counties