Spotlights

See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. FREE!

Join Certified Tree Expert Jack Kuhlman to find a deeper connection to New Jersey native trees and unique ornamentals as he teaches identification in different seasons using leaves, bark, fruit and flowers as clues.

Sit in the parlor of the Steuben House, where Colonel Hamilton served on Washington’s staff in 1780, and listen to the music and the stories that shaped his life!

This guided tour take visitors through Ringwood Manor and down to its historic cemetery at night while the lore and legends associated with the site are explained.

On Friday and Saturday evenings in October, enjoy a spooky train ride through the haunted woods of Allaire State Park!

Explore the trails at Thompson Park, Lincroft, with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomenon. Open to all ages, under 18 with adult. FREE!

The Friends of the Hermitage, Inc. will host a GermanFest Vintage Auto Show on the grounds of The Hermitage Museum in Ho-Ho-Kus. Area automobile enthusiasts can view a variety of vintage German-engineered automobiles including BMW, Mercedes Benz and Porsche.

While you've probably only experienced the New Jersey Meadowlands from a car on the highway or window of a commuter train, it's time to get up close and personal with the thriving ecosystem that awaits at the water's surface.

Bring the entire family to a one-of-a-kind fall festival with farm animals, wagon rides, live music, hands-on farm and harvest activities, old fashioned games, wood-burning cook stove demos, and historic house tours. Food trucks on site.

Bugs rule at this unusual annual event hosted by Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County. Those bug-loving gardeners promise an afternoon of games and activities for children that highlight the importance of bugs in our lives and teaches children (and their parents) about the incredible and often beautiful insects common to the Northeast.

Join Off The Grid at Schiff Nature Preserve for an easy hike and gentle yoga session, suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. We will begin with a meditation and centering session indoors, then enjoy a beautiful hike through the landscapes of Schiff Nature Preserve, enjoying the detoxifying quality of being present in nature.

The New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo celebrates the state's bountiful natural resources and rich outdoor heritage. The event is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both September 8 & 9 at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson Township, Ocean County.

Kids ages 10+ and adults of all ages are welcome to join as David Alexander teaches the technique and value of harvesting bark for containers. Participants will craft their own with cardboard.

Join local science experts from around the region to learn about all the natural plants, insects, animals in the Pinelands! July is a great time to look for insects, fish, frogs, turtles, moss, ferns, flowers, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and more!

Join us at Howell Living History Farm for a truly enjoyable day! The fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hay rides, pony rides, music, magic shows, and farm tours. Check out displays by the Rutgers Master Gardners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center, Mid-State Beekeepers Association, and many more! 

The Bordentown City Green team will host it's Green Fair on June 9.  The fair will feature over 60 eco-friendly vendors and services, local restaurants, music and children's activities, all helping support and encourage a sustainable lifestyle. This is a free, rain or shine event.

Bring a picnic blanket and a late night snack to enjoy a quiet summer evening with Schiff and Joe Molnar from the Morris Museum Astronomical Society for a night of star gazing! Participants will meet at the nature center and walk as a group to the great meadow for a tour of the summer sky and gazing through a telescope.

Learn about amphibians and reptiles of New Jersey and how they live throughout the seasons! What do they eat? Learn about their offspring. Join us for a walk in hopes that we can spot some in the area. The walk will be on natural trails, protective footwear is recommended. Event is FREE.

Kickoff the Blueberry Harvest Season in the Birthplace of the Blueberry! Visit the Whitesbog Historic Village on June 23-24th. SO many blueberries: taste the berries from our neighbor's farm and take home a pint or a flat, pick berries fresh on the original heritage plants in the fields, eat them in locally made pies, muffins, cakes, jams, preserves, fried, blueberry drinks, blueberry wine, cider, syrup and so much more. 

Enjoy an evening climb up the Barnegat Lighthouse and enjoy a view of the sunset from the top! Event is free and runs from 7-9PM. Sponsored by Friends of the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.

Enjoy a free, moderate-paced hike in Bass River State Forest and hunt for wildflowers. Hike begins at 9AM and will be three to five miles long; bring a drink and lunch. Severe weather will cancel.

Enjoy an afternoon of free 18th century themed activities for children at Rockingham Historic Site! Period activities related to childhood in the 18th century may include:  trying on clothes; writing with a quill pen; and playing with games and toys such as trap ball, battledore and shuttlecock, buzz saw and cup-and-ball.

Spend a summer afternoon at Holmdel Park and enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes and see how it started. Monmouth Furnace Boys (formerly known as the Bog Iron Boys) will be playing vintage base ball, using rules from the 19th century.

Each year this 2-day festival highlights the region’s arts community, the City of Lambertville, the Delaware River, and of course, the area’s favorite fish, the Shad! The Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event.

New Jersey is a wild place, celebrated through art in many creative and unique ways. NJ Audubon Plainsboro Preserve is hosting the third annual juried art exhibit of all artwork representing the wild life of New Jersey, flora and fauna.