ALERTS (click here)

NJMC EVENTS
In case of severe winter weather, please call the MEC at 201-460-8300 to confirm events and facility operation. DeKorte Park will remain open, but some trails might be closed in bad storms.

Every Monday and Wednesday
Observatory - Public Viewing Nights
The William D. McDowell Observatory is open to the public for free stargazing on Monday and Wednesday evenings throughout the year. More information on the observatory and the Meadowlands Environment Center’s astronomy programs, as well as details on what can be seen in the weeks ahead, are posted at: http://www.rst2.edu/meadowlands/observatory/index.shtml

First Sunday and Third Tuesday of Each Month
Free Guided Bird Walks
The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society are sponsoring free 90-minute nature walks on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of every month. Bring binoculars, bug spray, sunscreen and a sense of wonder.
Check the posts below for time, location and other details.

JANUARY

Saturday, January 30, 1 p.m.
Old Fashioned Saturday Afternoon at the Movies with the Meadowlands Museum
The first in a new series of history programs created through a partnership with the Meadowlands Museum, this event will allow families to experience a Saturday afternoon from the 1930s with newsreels, cartoons and a feature presentation of “The Music Box,” staring Larel and Hardy. Free admission. For information, call the Meadowlands Environment Center at 201-460-8300.

FEBRUARY

Sunday, February 7, 10 a.m.
”Super Bird Sunday” Nature Walk  with BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk in the square-mile park, looking for wintering waterfowl and other birds of interest – with a great prize awarded to any participant who is the first to spot a bird that has the same name as an NFL team – raven, falcon, eagle, cardinal and seahawk (osprey, but good luck on that one). The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.  To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Saturday, February 13, 12:30 p.m. or 1:45 p.m.*
Meadowlands Environment Center’s “Lovely Ladybugs!”
Puppets, poetry, music and hands-on learning will help children learn more about these fascinating insects during this discovery workshop. The 12:30 p.m. session is designed for children ages 3-5, the 1:45 pm session is for those ages 6-8. Cost is $5 per person, $4 for MEC members. For information, call the MEC at 201-460-8300.

Sunday, February 14, 10 a.m.
Great Backyard Bird Count/Valentine’s Day Bird Walk with BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk in the square-mile park, looking for wintering waterfowl and other birds of note. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Tuesday, February 17, 10 a.m.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk will take place at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, a 70-acre restored wetlands area typically closed to the public. The walk meets at the entrance to Harrier Meadow at 10 a.m., or come to the first parking lot at DeKorte by 9:45 a.m. We’ll walk around the site, looking for wintering waterfowl, raptors and other birds. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this trip. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Saturday, February 27, 1 p.m.
Meadowlands Environment Center’s “World of Animals and Birds of Prey”
Get up close and personal with a variety of reptiles and raptors as naturalist Bill Robinson teaches about animal adaptations and nature’s balance. All ages. Cost is $5 per person, $4 for MEC members. For information, call the MEC at 201-460-8300.

MARCH
Sunday, March 7, 10 a.m.
Birding for Beginners with Bergen County Audubon Society
This free two-hour birding for beginners nature walk starts with a short session on birding basics at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst at 10 a.m,., followed by a 90-minute walk in surrounding DeKorte Park. We’ll look for wintering waterfowl, early arrivals like killdeer and great egrets, plus other birds. The walk is run by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Tuesday, March 16, 10 a.m.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk around the square-mile park, looking for early spring arrivals and other birds. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Sunday, March 21, 10 a.m.
First Weekend of Spring Bird Walk with BCAS
This free two-hour nature walk starts at the ballfields of Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. We’ll look for the (possibly nesting) Common Ravens, raptors, waterfowl and herons on the Hackensack River, and any other birds we can find. We meet at the big parking lot by the Laurel Hill ballfields at 10 a.m.  Or meet at the first parking lot in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst at 9:20. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

APRIL

Sunday, April 4, 10 a.m.
First-Sunday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with Bergen County Audubon Society
This free two-hour nature walk starts at the entrance to the Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. We’ll look for spring arrivals and waterfowl. Check  meadowblog.net for directions. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com
or 201-636-4022.

Tuesday, April 20, 10 a.m.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk will take us to the legendary Harrier Meadow  in North Arlington. The 70-acre site, usually off limits to the public,  features ponds and tidal impoundments and birds aplenty.  We meet at 10 a.m. at the entrance to harrier Meadow on Disposal Road. You can also meet us at the visitors’  parking lot at DeKorte  Park in Lyndhurst at 9:45 a.m. and we can carpool. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Thursday, April 22, 10 a.m.
Earth Day Bird Walk
This free two-hour nature walk is part of the Meadowlands Commission’s Earth Day celebration at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. The walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center, and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk around the square-mile parkpark, looking for spring arrivals and other birds. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com
or 201-636-4022.