PAST EVENTS

Black River Greenway Project Area

Saturday, December 10
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center,
Morris County Park, Chester

Raptor Talk: Discover Birds of Prey in New Jersey

NJCF and the Raptor Trust will have some of these birds, such as hawks and owls, on the premises for all to see. Raptors are various birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons and owls, distinguished by strong hooked beaks and taloned feet. Learn what raptors are. Discover the similarities and differences between hawks and owls, and explore the biology and ecology of these unique predatory birds. Get to know the common resident species of New Jersey. The Raptor Trust is licensed by the state of New Jersey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to use non-releasable birds for educational purposes. These birds are well trained, tolerant of people, and under control at all times. This program is free, but pre-registration is required and space is limited. NJCF members receive first preference. For more information, please contact Carol Banhart at 908-234-1225 x105 or carol@njconservation.org.

Western Piedmont Project Area

Sunday, November 13
12 p.m.
Prallsville Mill
Hunterdon County

Donald Jones Hike

Every year, NJCF and the Delaware River Mill Society celebrate the work and life of our late Trustee, longtime friend and local conservation legend Donald B. Jones.

In 2004, over 150 people came to enjoy autumn’s splendor while exploring the NJCF Wickecheoke Creek Preserve in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County. We will have three separate hikes that meet at the Prallsville Mills on Route 29 in Stockton – a vigorous guided hike, a moderate guided hike and a scavenger hunt.

12 p.m. for the more vigorous hike: This guided hike may include a stream crossing and some rough footing, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
1 p.m. for the moderate hike: Take a guided walk on the lower portion of the greenway as it meanders along the Wickecheoke Creek through land being preserved by NJCF!
(Both hikes include a tour of the Prall House)
2:30 p.m. scavenger hunt: All ages can learn about local flora and fauna and history of the Prallsville Mills!

All hikers return to the Mill at 3 p.m. for apple cider, tea and treats so even if you are unable to hike please join us for refreshments at this historic site.

For directions and to RSVP, please contact Carol Banhart at 908-234-1225, Ext. 105 or carol@njconservation.org. The hike is rain or shine. Please dress appropriately.

Click on the link below to see photos documenting the 2004 hike: http://bloomzer.home.comcast.net/stockton

Black River Greenway Project Area

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wilderness Area of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Great Swamp Walk

Explore natural habitats within the Refuge where few have gone before! Bring binoculars for viewing wildlife and waterfowl! Follow the flight of a Great Blue Heron - across a sky that could have been crowded with jets. In 1959, New Jersey Conservation Foundation got its start by fighting plans for an unnecessary airport that would have paved over the Great Swamp in Morris County. Now you can join NJCF guides for a peaceful walk in this 7,500 acre National Wildlife Refuge. Come see the wetlands and forest, 215 varieties of wildflowers and over 220 species of birds.

Meet at the farm house on Pleasant Plains Road. (Note this is a different location than in the past.) For detailed directions/meeting spot and more information, please contact Carol Banhart at 908-234-1225 x105 or carol@njconservation.org. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

Western Piedmont Project Area

Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Kingwood Township Fire Company, Route 519, Baptistown

Enjoy Live Barn Dance Country Music and
Support Farmland Preservation

Come out and enjoy some live "barn-dance" style country music and support farmland preservation at the same time. Heartlands Hayride, a traditional country concert broadcast over 89.7 FM WDVR radio, will benefit NJCF and its local preservation efforts. Dave Bond, a Delaware Township Committeeman and farm preservation proponent, will be among the performers to be backed by the Chris Val Band. The concert will be held at the Kingwood Township Fire Company banquet hall on Route 519, just south of the Route 12 intersection. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10. Ticket proceeds will benefit NJCF and WDVR. The banquet hall will open at 3 p.m. when the Kingwood Township Fire Company will begin selling a variety of local food favorites with proceeds benefiting the fire company. For additional information on the concert, please contact NJCF at (908) 996-0017 or marie@njconservation.org.

Black River Greenway Project Area

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center,
Morris County Park, Chester

Nature Photography Workshop Set for Oct. 4

Join NJCF for a Nature Photography Workshop which will be led by Clem Fiori, nature photographer and member of the NJCF Board of Trustees. A Montgomery Township resident, Fiori is a freelance photographer, artist and author of The Vanishing New Jersey Landscape. He is principal photographer for Princeton University’s Art Museum as well as other departments. Fiori is Chairman of the Montgomery Township Open Space Committee and member of the Board of Trustees of Montgomery Friends of Open Space. He assisted NJCF and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program with a publication on the Garden State Greenways open space planning tool. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Rutgers University. Please RSVP for the photography workshop at 908-234-1225 or carol@njconservation.org.

Western Piedmont Project Area

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Prallsville Mill, Stockton

Help Protect the Wickecheoke Creek

As part of the Delaware Township March on Litter Day on Oct. 1, NJCF will be conducting a volunteer stream cleanup of the Wickecheoke Creek. Those interested in volunteering should meet at the Prallsville Mill, Route 29 in Stockton, at 9 a.m. Volunteers will travel together to a section of the NJCF Wickecheoke Creek Preserve in Delaware Township. During the two-hour event, volunteers will receive a light snack, complimentary T-shirt and cleanup supplies. For additional information, please contact NJCF at (908) 996-0017 or marie@njconservation.org.