Bugs, Rocks, Birds

A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of February that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment.

Events scheduled for February include:

“Friday Morning Yoga” is geared for adults. This class will introduce adult beginners to the many joys of yoga. Breathing synchronized with movement will warm the body and relax the mind. Participants will focus on joint mobility and healing stillness. All levels are welcome. Join for the series or just one class. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Friday Morning Yoga is scheduled as follows:

Date: Fridays, February 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2013
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“How to Build a Rain Garden at Your Home” is for adults. A rain garden is a shallow landscaped depression that can manage water on your property while beautifying your yard and providing habitat for birds and pollinators. Rutgers Cooperative Extension staff will teach the basics of rain garden placement, design and installation. Plant selection and maintenance will also be discussed. Participants will receive a copy of the Rain Garden Manual of New Jersey. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $18 per adult (includes a manual). Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. How to Build a Rain Garden at Your Home will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, February 2, 2013
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Little Explorers Winter Nature Program” is a child-caregiver class that uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each week, a different nature or science topic is covered. Cost is $7 per child/session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Little Explorers Fall Nature Program will be held as follows:

Ages: 2-year olds
Dates and Times: Wednesday, February 6, 9:30 a.m.
Ages: 3-year olds
Dates and Times: Wednesdays, February 6 & 13, 11 a.m.
Ages: 4- and 5-year olds
Dates and Times: Wednesdays, February 6 & 13, 1:30 p.m. or Fridays, February 1, 8 & 15, 1:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“The Special Needs Student and Essential Oils” is designed for parents and teachers of special needs students. This workshop will explore herbs, essential oils and diet that may aide in the reduction of many behaviors and symptoms seen in children and adults with special needs. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $20 per adult. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. The Special Needs Student and Essential Oils will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Meditation Series for Beginners” is for adults. Do you want to start meditating but don’t know how to begin? Some of the many benefits are stress reduction, improved relationships and increased health. Each session will highlight a different meditation technique – visualization, sound, and somatic (body-centered); provide various hints and suggestions for establishing a regular practice; and include some chair yoga postures. Come learn the basics and see how meditation can increase your appreciation for nature around you as well as the nature within you. Cost is $8 per adult per class or $20 for the series. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Meditation Series for Beginners will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesdays, February 6, 13 & 20, 2013
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Nature Photographers Club” is for adults. Join the Nature Photographers for another fun and creative presentation. The specific presentation topic will be announced. Cost is $8 per adult and free for Essex County Nature Photographer members. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Photographers will meet as follows:

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Visit an Essex County oasis while searching for wintering ducks, gulls and passerine birds. All can be viewed along an easy trail around the lake. Meet at the parking area at Foster Street and Weequahic Park Drive, Newark. This is a free event. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 or [email protected] for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 7, 2013
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park, Weequahic Park Drive & Foster Street, Newark

“Thursday Evening Yoga Series” is geared for adults. This all-levels yoga series will focus on alignment, flow and warmth followed by a restorative pose to unwind the body and mind for bed. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $40 for the series. Advance registration and monthly payment is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. No refunds will be given for missed classes. Thursday Evening Yoga is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2013
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ

“Kitchen Little Cooking Club” is for children ages 3 to 5 who are accompanied by an adult. The class will explore how to cook some of nature’s produce. Participants will measure, mix and bake some special healthy treats. The best part, of course, is the tasting at the end! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child per session (additional material fees included). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Kitchen Little Cooking Club will be held as follows:

Date: Fridays, February 8 & 22, 2013
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Owls of Essex” is for families and will be presented by New Jersey Audubon. Investigate where these majestic birds fit into the food web by dissecting owl pellets. Participants will discover how owls build their nests and communicate, and will make “owl pellet” candy to take home. Cost is $5 for NJAS members and $7 for non-members. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-226-6082. Owls of Essex will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, February 9, 2013
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ

“4-H Lego Club” is for children in grades 3 through 6. Members will use their imaginations to build animals, castles, and more with other children who are interested in Legos. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Lego Club will be held as follows:

Saturday Class: Saturday, February 9, 2013
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Monday Class: Monday, February 11, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Garibaldi Hall, Roseland

“Horticulture for Seniors” is a specially-designed horticulture class for senior citizens that is offered by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County. This month’s topic is Gardening Messages. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. This is a free class. Advance registration is required one week prior to program. For information, call 973-379-5488 or 973-731-0717. Horticulture for Seniors will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, February 11, 2013
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Bug Club” is for children ages 6 to 10. The Bug Club is devoted to young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets year-round. Cost is $6 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bug Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Nature Crafts with Children” is geared for children ages 7 to 12. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the Earth by making crafts. Cost is $8 per child per session (includes a $2 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Crafts with Children will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Seed Starting” is for adults. Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County will teach the basics of starting vegetable and flower seeds at home. Learn about growing medium, seedling care and seed selection. Planting your own seeds can help save money on produce. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $8 per adult. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Seed Starting will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“4-H Environmental Kids Club” is for children in grades 2 through 6. Nature is filled with things, big and small, that surprise and help us. Find out how much fun it is to learn about the world. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 103. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 14, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Three-Day Short Course on Beekeeping” is for adults and children ages 12 and older. The Essex County Beekeepers Society will present this short course appropriate for new beekeepers as well as those who need a refresher. Participants will go through a full year of beekeeping, including everything they need to know from purchasing and assembling equipment to harvesting, extracting and bottling honey. Basics of disease and mite management and control will be covered. Scholarships for this course may be available for full-time students ages 12-22. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $150 per person and includes ECBS/NJBA membership, continental breakfast and afternoon snack. Visit www.njbeekeepers.org for more details or to register, or contact Pat Gamsby at [email protected] or 973-396-8996. Three-Day Short Course on Beekeeping will be held as follows:

Date: Saturdays, February 16 & 23; Field Day TBA, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Build a Bird House” is for adults and children ages 10 and older who are accompanied by an adult. Celebrate National Nest Box Week and build a home that encourages breeding birds and other wildlife to take residence. Putting a bird house out during the winter creates a good chance of having a nesting pair of songbirds in the garden by spring. Cost is $6 per child and $8 per adult. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Build a Bird House will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, February 16, 2013
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Green Kids Club” is for children ages 7 to 12. Discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects. Cost is $6 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Green Kids Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Birding Hike in Troy Meadows” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Search the edges of the frozen swamp for wintering birds and animals. Be prepared for icy conditions. Hikers meet at the Essex County Environmental Center and carpool to the trail head. Cost is $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 or [email protected] for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Site: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Kids in the Kitchen Club” is for children ages 8 to 12. This class will help children who have an interest in cooking develop skills in the kitchen. Participants will make an array of foods and all items will be prepared with a healthy-and-tasty goal in mind. Some examples are pizza, cookies, kale chips, fresh applesauce, and more! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child per session (additional material fees included). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Kids in the Kitchen Club will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Build Your Own Rain Barrel” is for adults. A rain barrel is placed under a gutter’s downspout next to a house to collect rain water from the roof. The barrel holds about 50 gallons of water which can be used to water the lawn, flowers, shrubs and trees. Rain water harvesting can help save money on your water bill, prevent basement flooding, and reduce flooding in local rivers and streams. Participants will be shown step-by-step how to build their own rain barrel and learn how to install it at home. Cost is $58 (includes a rain barrel). Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Build Your Own Rain Barrel will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 28, 2013
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

“Nature Explorers Spring Camp” is for children in grades 2 through 5. Have a spring getaway at the Essex County Environmental Center! Children will go on a mini-safari and explore the forest, pond and river to learn about the food web in each habitat; learn how the Lenape hunted, fished, foraged and farmed this area; and exercise their creativity making dream catchers and pressed flower bookmarks, creating nature journals, and more! Children can sign up for individual days or for the entire three-day session. Cost is $120 per child for a complete three-day session or $50 per child per day. Fee includes snack and all materials. For information, call 973-228-8776. Spring Camp will be held as follows:

Dates: Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; & Thursday, March 28 OR Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4
Time: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland

Registration is required for all programs at the Essex County Environmental Center, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, please call 973-228-8776.