6-27-2024 5:17pm

Environmental Education Center Offers Nature Programs in July for All Ages

Donnella Tilery Editor

An Environmental Education Center Naturalist holds a katydid.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Register for exciting nature programs and learn about birds, bees, bugs, blueberries, and more at the Environment Education Center (EEC), 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. There are a variety of programs for all ages and the cost ranges from $6 to $11 per person depending on the program. Online enrollment is open now.

Program participants will enjoy exploring areas of the environmentally rich Lord Stirling Park, including the Great Swamp as well as rivers, marshes, meadows, ponds, and forests, which contain habitats for diverse plant and animal populations.

The EEC offers the following programs for people of all ages:

Tuesday, July 9, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wild for Blueberries! – Search for the swamp’s superfruit and learn how to identify wild blueberries, find out what animals enjoy nature’s candy, and sample these sweet superstars. Learn more and register.

Wednesday, July 10, 3 to 4 p.m., Bird in the Nest – Take a leisurely walk on the EEC’s trails to search for different species of birds and their nests while participating in fun and educational games and activities. Learn more and register.

Tuesday, July 16, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Nectar Sippers – Find out what critters drink nectar produced by summertime blooms and how the sweet treat is used for food. Learn more and register.

Sunday, July 21, 3 to 4 p.m., Cool Critters! – See some truly cool, live critters and learn what helps these bugs, reptiles and more survive in nature. Learn more and register.

Tuesday, July 30, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Bugtastic! – Scour the gardens and trails to look for critters such as bugs, insects, and arthropods. Learn more and register.

Age Requirement
Children under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by a registered adult when participating in programs for “all ages.”

The following programs are appropriate for infants and children up to five years of age with a parent:

Monday, July 22, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Tot Trek – Leave the stroller behind and join a Naturalist for a walk on the trails of Lord Stirling Park to explore the natural world using all five senses. Learn more and register.

Sunday, July 28, 10 to 11 a.m., Storytime Adventure – Enjoy nature and animal stories with the focus on raccoons. Learn more and register.

For more information about nature programs at the EEC, contact Kurt Bender at kbender@scparks.org or call 908-722-1200, Ext. 5332. Individuals with hearing impairment can use the Relay Service by dialing 711.

About the Environmental Education Center (EEC)

The EEC is dedicated to stimulating awareness and understanding of the natural world by fostering a sense of responsibility for its care and use through environmental, cultural, and recreational learning experiences, as well as serving as trustees to preserve, maintain, and improve undeveloped and developed natural areas of the Somerset County parkland.

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