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Spotlights

Logo-name of organization with image of blue boat in the ocean and green ribbon with text, "Protect, Preserve, Restore." Hockey Stick Oyster Gardening Program (NY/NJ Baykeeper, Ongoing)

The NY/NJ Baykeeper is currently accepting donations of used, unwanted or broken hockey sticks to build habitat units for their new oyster gardening program! 

Organizational logo-dark blue and white graphic of lighthouse on beach surrounded by vegetation with birds in the sky and fish in the ocean Shark River Inlet Horseshoe Crab Tagging (American Littoral Society, Sunday, May 29, 2022 @ 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.)

Come learn about horseshoe crabs and help us tag these fascinating living fossils!

Black text Webinar : Tribal & Indigenous-Based Climate Adaptation Priorities in the NE CASC Region (Rutgers Climate Institute, Wednesday, May 18, 2022 @ 4:00 p.m.)

Tribal nations and Indigenous communities in the northeastern United States have witnessed changes in the climate from time immemorial. However, anthropogenic climate change coupled with the impacts of colonization pose unique challenges for tribal nations. Despite these issues, tribal nations are leading the way across the region in climate change adaptation planning. This event is sponsored by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center. 

Logo of blue & green Yin Yang with text in blue & green Native Medicinal Garden Learn & Tend Days (Sustainable West Milford, Through October 2022)

2022 Learn & Tend dates are here! You can look forward to spending one Sunday a month learning about the healing properties of countless native species. Karen Longo is a Master Gardener with an extensive amount of knowledge and experience in this field. For any other Master Gardeners out there, this is a registered Project Site in Passaic County, NJ so please join us and you can add hours worked to your annual requirement for volunteer hours. We will be taking necessary precautions to promote social distancing guidelines while gardening.

PPA Logo: White silhouette of three pine trees on green square background with floral watermark Pinelands Juried Photographic Exhibition Online Gallery (Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Ongoing)

The Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) is pleased to share the stunning images submitted to the 2022 Pinelands Juried Photographic Competition and Exhibition. The photographs submitted for this exhibit celebrate the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the Pinelands National Reserve. Images were taken within the boundaries of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve depicting its landscape, flora, wildlife, communities, and people. All acceptable photographs submitted this year were posted in PPA's New Jersey Pinelands online art gallery by April 16, 2022.

Photo of farm under partly cloudy skies with awnings in the distance and red Rutgers NJAES banner in foreground Bee-ginner's Beekeeping: The Basics of Apiculture, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University (Monday, May 2-23, 2022)

This self-paced online class is designed to provide information that new beekeepers need to start and care for a honey bee colony. Participants will be introduced to bee biology and management. Participants will also learn how to assemble hives, open and examine colonies, and see how honey and beeswax are harvested.

Library logo of brown cartoon owl sitting on book Butterfly Gardening with Native Plants (East Rutherford Memorial Library, Monday, May 2, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m.)

Guest speaker, naturalist Don Torino, discusses how to turn your yard into a haven for butterflies! Advance registration is required. This event is virtual. 

Gloucester County Nature Club logo: encircled yellow & black American Goldfinch sitting on branch  Bird Quest, Gloucester County Nature Club (Saturday, May 7, 2022 @ 7:00 a.m.)

The Gloucester County Bird Quest is a great way to discover Gloucester County’s parks and natural areas, discover the unique birds that live in and migrate through our region, and learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, behavior, and habitat. Advanced registration is required. The registration deadline is Saturday, April 30, 2022. 

Logo of Dr. James Still Office Historic Site & Educational Center-image of leather bag with green herbs and mortar & pestle in a circle Open House at Dr. James Still Historic Office Site & Education Center (Sunday, April 24, 2022 @ 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

The Dr. James Still Historic Office Site is dedicated to teaching, restoring and preserving the legacy of herbalist Dr. James Still, renowned as "The Black Doctor of the Pines."  Come by to see exhibits and learn more about Dr. Still and the Still family legacy! 

 

Cape May Point Environmental Commission logo-text + black & white sketch of lighthouse surrounded by vegetation with clouds & birds in sky Mayors' Monarch Pledge Milkweed Plant Giveaway (Cape May Point Environmental Commission, Ongoing)

An important component of the newly signed Mayors' Monarch Pledge is planting milkweed in Cape May Point, NJ.  This is critical since milkweed serves as the only "host" plant for Monarch caterpillars. Without milkweed there would be no Monarch butterflies! This initiative aims to help reverse the dramatic decline of Monarch butterflies, an important pollinator species.

Logo of North Jersey Mineralogical Society-outline of State of NJ surrounded by graphic of diamond, mountains, & excavation tools Annual North Jersey Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show (North Jersey Mineralogical Society, April 30-May 1, 2022)

This annual program is one of the most anticipated gem & mineral shows in the northeastern United States. It features a variety of dealers displaying a vast assortment of rocks, minerals, gemstones, fossils, jewelry, lapidary, and rockhound supplies. Dealers display specimens from all over the world, as well as numerous local spots. This is also an educational opportunity for students and scout troops.

Green Text with Graphic of Tree Tree Raffle (Sea Isle City Environmental Commission, March 1, 2022 -June 4, 2022)

The Sea Isle City Environmental Commission is giving away 30 free trees this spring! Enter to win a tree, which will be planted on your local property free of charge.

Arbor Day Foundation Community Tree Recovery Logo-text in black, "V" is stylized tree with green leaves Statewide Tree Seedling Giveaway (Arbor Day Foundation Community Tree Recovery, April 2022)

New Jersey is making free seedlings available throughout the state to help tree lines recover after losses from recent natural disasters. The seedling giveaways occur on various dates around Arbor Day, which falls on Friday, April 29, 2022 this year.

ANJEC logo-graphic of outline of state of NJ with green maple leaf and gold 50th anniversary ribbon Lechner Scholarship Now Open! (Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, Due Monday, May 9, 2022)

The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) is offering a $1,200.00 scholarship for a student entering her or his junior or senior year at a New Jersey college or university. The Lechner Scholarship Fund is a living memorial to Hermia Lechner in recognition of her many years of dedicated service and contributions to the preservation of open space and natural resources in New Jersey. The scholarship is granted to encourage qualified students to pursue a career in a field related to environmental protection.

NJ Mycological Association Logo-black & white graphic of mushrooms with green text on saffron orange background "North American Cordyceps Culture", New Jersey Mycological Society (Friday, April 8 2022 @ 7:00 p.m.)

This one-hour virtual informational class will take a deep dive into what Cordyceps culture looks like in our country now, from growing to consuming.

Pinelands Adventures logo-silhouette of 2 trees, 2 canoe paddles, a boot, and binoculars on brown background with text "Pine Barrens 101", Pinelands Adventures (Saturday, April 23, 2022 @ 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

This guided tour is an introduction to a little bit of everything that the New Jersey Pinelands has to offer! Let one of our knowledgeable guides introduce you to the local history, culture, ecology and other unique features of the last wilderness in South Jersey.

Lambertville Environmental Commission Logo: Black silhouette of a bridge reflected in river with backdrop of greenery Creek Cleanup, Lambertville Environmental Commission (Saturday, April 2, 2022 @ 12:00 p.m.)

Ely Creek, Swan Creek, & Alexauken Creek took substantial damage during Hurricane Ida, leaving garbage and debris in its wake. In response, the City of Lambertville and a host of volunteers have organized the Lambertville Creek Cleanup on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, April 3, 2022 from Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Rahway River Watershed Association (RRWA) logo-stylized graphic of a river bank in blue and green Cherry Blossom Walk at Branchbrook Park, Newark, NJ on April 2, 2022 @ 9:30 a.m. to Noon (Rahway River Watershed Association)

As part of the Exploring Watershed Event Series, participants will join Rahway River Watershed Association President Dr. Kirk Barrett on a walk through Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ during Cherry Blossom season!

Clean Ocean Action logo-blue wave graphic Spring Beach Sweeps, Clean Ocean Action (Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Registration is now open for Clean Ocean Action's 27th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.!

Sustainable Princeton in black and green text "Sustainable Minds Discuss Stormwater", Sustainable Princeton (Wednesday, March 30 @ 7:00 p.m. & Wednesday, April 6, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m.)

The Sustainable Minds series will break down important sustainability topics into paired evening sessions, exploring complex issues just one hour at a time. During the first session, a local thought leader will provide insights and expert insights on a regional climate concern. Then, a week later, an action leader will host the second event to provide practical examples of how residents can help address these complex issues. The first pair of events will focus on stormwater.

Maplewood Garden Club logo: brown initials, full name in red text, and green maple leaf graphic "Won’t You BEE My Neighbor?", Maplewood Garden Club (Monday, April 4, 2022 @ 7:30 p.m.)

In this talk, Adriana Compagnoni will share fun facts about bees that she learned in her years of beekeeping, some little-known facts about bees & beekeeping, and share recommendations on what suburban gardeners in North Jeresey can do to help the bees. Because of the susceptibility of bees to pesticides, the synergy between gardening and beekeeping leads to environmentally-friendly gardening practices. 

Logo of Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge-silhouette of a seabird, pine tree, and stingray over orange and blue background Final Beach Clean-Up at Two Mile Beach Unit (Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge; Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 12:00-3:00 p.m.)

Join us for our final clean-up on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. before the beach area of Two Mile Beach Unit closes in April. Every year, according to federal environmental laws, the beach area closes until September 30 to protect the beach nesting of endangered birds and the migratory bird population who stop for an undisturbed rest on our peninsula

Sustainable Jersey logo (text in gold oval surrounded by green) Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Program Drop-In Sessions (Sustainable Jersey, March 2022)

Attend one of these "drop-in" sessions on March 15, 16, 24, and 25, 2022 to learn more about the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Climate Corps Program. EDF Climate Corps Fellows provide no-cost expertise and support for school districts and municipalities to take advantage of utility and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) incentives for energy efficiency audits and facility and/or equipment upgrades to help save energy and money. 

Event flyer with text and image of long-beaked black waterfowl in the reeds with raised wings "Birding the Meadows" Weekly Walk Series (New Jersey Audubon, March 21-May 9, 2022)

Join naturalists at The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows for this 2-hour walk around The Nature Conservancy's South Cape May Meadows property! Spring birding can be very rewarding at this freshwater wetland for lingering waterfowl and migrant shorebirds. The series takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on March 21, March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, and May 9, 2022

Logo of organization: image of a fox encircled by text National Plant a Flower Day (Saturday, March 12, 2022 @ 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)

Join the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge for an evening of floral fun! Make a flower craft, plant a flower to take home, and enjoy a warm fire.