January
Birds of Belleplain State Forest
1:30 p.m.
FREE
Belleplain State Forest, Conference Room
(609) 861-2404
Note: 1/2 hour DVD presentation; ADA accessible
The Pine Barrens, "Up Close & Natural"
1 p.m.
FREE
Belleplain State Forest, Conference Room
(609) 861-2404
Note: 1/2 hour DVD presentation; ADA accessible
Double Trouble Village Tours & Hikes
Call for arrangements
Program fee may apply
Double Trouble State Park
(732) 341-4098
Note: Individual or group historic village tours or hikes of varying mileage may be scheduled most weeks Wednesdays through Sundays. Elementary school and secondary school science and social studies field trips or outreach may be arranged. Boy Scout and Girl Scout advancement requirements may be met by visiting Double Trouble State Park - see the Double Trouble section of www.njparksandforests.org for a list of advancement opportunities.
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Nature and
History
Interpretive Programs and Tours
Call for dates, topics and times
FREE; donations welcomed
D&R Canal State Park
(609) 924-5705
www.dandrcanal.com
Note: ADA accessible
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Boy and
Girl Scout Badge and Patch Programs
Call for arrangements
FREE; donations welcomed
D&R Canal State Park
(609) 924-5705
www.dandrcanal.com
Note: ADA accessible
High Point State Park Interpretive Programs
Call for information
(973) 875-1571
Fledgling Naturalists
Call for dates and times
Fee: Program fees may apply
High Point State Park
(973) 875-1471
Note: For children ages 3 to 5 and an adult partner
Homeschool Naturalists
Call for dates and times
Fee: Program fees may apply
High Point State Park
(973) 875-1471
Note: Enrichment activities for homeschoolers ages 6 to 10
Naturalist-Guided Snowshoe Tours
Call for dates and times
Fee: Program fees may apply
High Point State Park
(973) 875-1471
Note: Limited number of adult and child-sized snowshoe available to borrow
Winter Trails Day Snowshoe Event
Call or check website for date
and time
FREE
High Point State Park, Cross
Country Ski Center
Sponsor: High Point Cross
Country Ski Center
(973) 702-1222
www.xcskihighpoint.com
Snow and ICE Celebration
Call for date and time
FREE
High Point State Park,
Interpretive Center
(973) 875-4800
Sponsor: Friends of High Point State Park
Annual Meeting
Date to be determined
1:30 p.m.
FREE; donations welcome
Hancock House State Historic Site
Lower Alloway Creek Municipal Building, Hancock Bridge
(856) 935-4373
Sponsor: Friends of the Hancock House Inc. and Hancock House State Historic Site
Note: 2013 membership renewals due; partially ADA accessible
Historic Tours of Somers Mansion
Call for dates and times
FREE
Somers Mansion State Historic Site
(609) 927-2212
Note: Somers Mansion is the Oldest Home in Atlantic County
January 1
First Day Hike - "New" end of Batona Trail
11 a.m.
Bass River State Forest
Note: Meeting location: Batona Trail parking lot on Dan's Bridge Road (just off of Stage Road - approx. one mile west of Forest Office). Look for brown, routed sign on tree; easy to moderate hike; 5-6 miles; dress for the weather and bring water. Call volunteer hike leader's cell phone # (609) 335 8208 for additional information. Join forest volunteers to hike the "new" realigned end of the BATONA Trail that they created. The "new" route passes through beautiful wetlands and forest instead of along Stage Road and over a narrow vehicle bridge.
First Day Hike: East Creek Trail Hike
10 a.m.
FREE
Belleplain State Forest
(609) 861-2404
Note: Meeting location: Forest Office, Belleplain State Forest; moderate hike; wear sturdy footgear, weather appropriate clothing and bring water
First Day Hike: 4th Annual New Year's Day Horseback Ride
FREE
10 a.m.; preregistration required; Janice Elsifhans at gldg@embarqmail.com, stating your trailer size.
Kittanny Valley State Park- Paulinskill Valley Trail
Sponsor: Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee
(973) 600-5997 or (973) 948-3814
Note: Meeting location: Paulinskill Valley Trail at Halsey Farm, Halsey Corner and Route 519, Newton; easy to moderate rail-trail; bring your horse and pot luck to share for lunch
First Day Hike: 28th Annual New Year’s Day Hike
10 a.m.
FREE
Kittatinny Valley State Park - Paulinskill Valley Trail
Sponsor: Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee
(909) 684-4820
Note: Meeting Location: Footbridge Park, Blairstown – Parking lot (Not in Kittatinny Valley State Park) easy to moderate hike; wear sturdy footgear, weather appropriate clothing and bring water.
First Day Hike: Walk the Main Battle Line
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FREE
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Sponsor: Friends of Monmouth Battlefield State Park
(609) 490-7520
Note: Meeting location: Meet at the Park's main entrance on Business Route 33, one mile west of Wemrock Road (Manalapan Twp, NJ 07726); moderate hike; dress warmly and wear hiking boots; cancellation information (609) 529-5356
First Day Hike: The Battle of Princeton Interpretive Tour
Time: 6:50 to 9:30 a.m.; pre-registration required; princetonbattlefieldtours@gmail.com
FREE; suggested donation $5
Princeton Battlefield State Park
princetonbattlefieldtours@gmail.com
Note: Meeting location: Thomas Clarke House, Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Rd (Princeton Pike), Princeton, NJ; The Battle of Princeton Interpretive Tour, lead by noted British Army historian and Princeton Battlefield Society Trustee William P Tatum III, will trace the steps of American and British units the same time of day as the original January 3, 1777 battle. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of the rigors of eighteenth-century combat and a deeper appreciation of the historical engagement at Princeton.
First Day Hike: New Year’s Day Hike - Mount Defiance
1 p.m.; preregistration requeswted (973) 962-7031
Ringwood State Park
(973) 962-7031 ext. 0
Note: Meeting location: NJ State Botanical Gardens, Ringwood State Park; wear sturdy footwear, weather appropriate clothing and bring water/snacks.
First Day Hike: New Year's Day Hike - Resolutions
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Round Valley Recreation Area
(908) 236-6355
Note: Meeting Location: Round Valley Recreation Area – South Parking Lot; please call the park office by December 28th to ensure trail is open; wear sturdy footgear, weather appropriate clothing and bring water
First Day Hike: The Highlands Trail
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; preregistration is mandatory - (908) 343-8374
Spruce Run Recreation Area and Voorhees State Park and more - Highlands Trail (through state and county open space)
Note: Meeting location: Ethel Hoppock Middle School 280 Asbury-West Portal Road Asbury, NJ 08802; This is a fast-paced, high mileage hike; wear sturdy footgear, weather appropriate clothing and bring at least 2 quarts of water, snacks and lunch.
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult to strenuous
First Day Hike: Steele Run Ravine
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Washington Crossing State Park
(609) 737-0609
Note: Meeting Location: Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center; wear sturdy footgear and bring water.
First Day Hike: Batsto Fire Tower Trail Mountain Bike Trail Ride
Noon
Wharton State Forest
(609) 561-0024
Note: Meeting location: Batsto Village parking area, north end (back) of the parking lot; helmet and eye protection required, bring water bottle, wide tire bicycle and weather appropriate clothing
Degree of Difficulty: moderate (all dirt trails)
First Day Hike: Batsto Natural Area First Day Hike
10 a.m. - whenever we finish exploring!
Wharton State Forest
(609) 561-0024
Note: Meeting location: Batsto Village, Pleasant Mills Church; bring boots, snack and footgear for swampy areas
First Day Hike: With the Outdoor Club of South Jersey
10 a.m.
Wharton State Forest - Atsion
Sponsor: Outdoor Club of South Jersey
http://www.ocsj.org/
Note: Meeting location: Meet in field next to next to Atsion Office off Rt. 206; wear sturdy footgear and weather appropriate clothing, bring lunch and beverages
January 5
"General Meade and the Battle of Gettysburg"
1 p.m.
FREE
Barengat Ligthhouse State Park, Visitor Center
(609) 494-2016
Note: Presentation will focus on "General Meade and the Battle of Gettysburg". This is a special opportunity to learn about the gret victory at Gettsburg that saved the nation.
Winter Wildlife Hike
1 p.m.
FREE
Cape May Point State Park
(609) 884-2159
Note: ADA accessible
Wildflowers in Winter
10:30 a.m. to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Add intrigue to your next winter walk by learning to identify the surprisingly beautiful dried remains of wildflowers during this indoor presentation. For adults; ADA accessible
Bird Walk (Cancelled due to storm damage)
10 a.m. to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Liberty State Park, Nature Interpretive Center
(201) 915-3409
Note: Join us for a leisurely stroll along Liberty Walkway in search of winter visitors to the park. Possible species sightings may include ruddy ducks, mergansers, grebes, buffleheads and many more. Dress to be outside, bring binoculars if you have them, we have a limited number that can be borrowed. ADA accessible.
Video - "A Year in Whitetail Country"
12:45 p.m
FREE
Washington Crossing State Park, Nature Center
(609) 737-0609
Note: This is a fascinating summary of the whitetail deer's life cycle with great nature photography.
Video - "John and Abigail: Live and Liberty"
2 p.m.
FREE
Washington Crossing State Park, Visitor Center Museum
(609) 737-9303
Note: this 45-minute video discusses the lives of John an dAbigail Adams; one of America's greatest couples.
January 8
Owls: Hunters of the Night
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Everything you ever wanted to know about owls will be presented in this slide-show, followed by a short outdoor “owl-prowl.” For adults and children ages 6 to12; ADA accessible
January 9
Wednesday Walk in the Woods
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FREE; preregistration requested
Bass River State Forest
(609) 296-1114
Note:This walk will be held at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest; please contact Bass River State Forest for carpool details
January 10
Wildflowers in Winter
10:30 am to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Add intrigue to your next winter walk by learning to identify the surprisingly beautiful dried remains of wildflowers during this indoor presentation. For adults; ADA accessible
January 12
Winter Wonders
11 am until noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Stories, finger plays, and crafts will develop an awareness and appreciation for nature in children and their care-givers during this indoor program. For adults with children ages 4 & 5; ADA accessible
Wildflowers in Winter
10:30 am to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Add intrigue to your next winter walk by learning to identify the surprisingly beautiful dried remains of wildflowers during this indoor presentation. For adults; ADA accessible
Nature Discovery Day
10 a.m. to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Liberty State Park, Nature Interpretive Center
(201) 915-3409
Note: Which tree did that leaf come from? What bird is in your backyard? Our hands-on activity stations will allow you to answer these questions and more, at our nature discovery day. ADA accessible
Video - "The D&R" and "Coastwalks"
12:45 p.m.
FREE
Washington Crossing State Park, Nature Center
(609) 737-0609
Note: This is a short history of the Delaware and Raritan Canal from the 1830s through modern times inlcuding many interesting old photographs.The coastwalks video is a documentary that explores the way New Jerseyans enjoy and affect the coast from the brown sand of Sandy Hook and the dunes of Island Beach to the boardwalk of Atlantic City and the peninsula of Cape May.
Video - "Founding Mothers with Cokie Roberts"
2 p.m.
FREE
Washington Crossing State Park, Visitor Center Museum
(609) 737-9303
Note: This 50-minute video tells the incredible stores of the women who actually saw combat to th emoral an dlegal victories of Elizabeth Freeman, a slave who sued for freedom.
Dutch Foodways in the Colonies
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: Please call for fee; reservations necessary
Washington Crossing State Park,
Johnson Ferry House
Sponsor: The Open Hearth Cook
Mercy Ingraham, Instructor
(215) 757-4397
January 13
“Lost in the Woods” A Children’s Survival Program
1 p.m.
FREE
Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center
(732) 566-3208
Note: Join us at the Nature Center to learn the nine-point program to help children if they get separated from their group while hiking or camping. All ages; ADA accessible
Pinelands Hike
9 a.m. start
Fee: Program fee may apply; pre-registration required
Double Trouble State Park
(732) 341-4098
Note: Up to 5 miles over relatively flat, sandy terrain. Hike starts at the Park Information Building. Limited to 20 participants and must preregister by January 11.
Video – Guardians of Barnegat Bay
10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
FREE
Double Trouble State Park
(732) 341-4098
Note: Double Trouble State Park was established to protect a sensitive watershed. What can you do to help? Watch this video and become a Guardian of Barnegat Bay. Video plays in the Park Information Building. Limited seating.
Jack Frost Hike
10 to 11:30 a.m.
FREE; pre-registration required
Round Valley Recreation Area, South Lot
(908) 236-6355
Note: Take a mid-winter hike and try to find signs of life under the ice and on the frozen ground.
January 19
Tracks and Tales
2 to 3 p.m.; pre-registration required
High Point State Park
(973) 875-1471
highpointprograms@gmail.com
Note: We don’t often get a chance to observe wild animals in action, but the signs they leave behind offer a window into their world. Come learn the basics about interpreting the tracks and signs of local wildlife. After this indoor presentation, you can either practice being a tracker in the Interpretive Center, or head outside on your own to complete a “Signs of Wildlife” scavenger hunt.
Nature Video “The Earth Speaks”
12:45 p.m.
FREE
Washington Crossing State Park, Nature Center
(509) 737-0609
Note: This video presents naturalist Tom Brown as he takes viewers on a trip back into the “heart of creation.” In this program, Brown shows viewers how to relearn their appreciation for the wilderness, and how to see anew, the surrounding world.
History Video “Founding Fathers: Rebels with a Cause”
2 p.m.
FREE
Washington Crossing State Park, Visitor Center
(609) 737-9303
Note: This 45-minute video introduces Sam Adams, John Hancock and John Adams, who will all play vital roles in the genesis of the revolutionary movement.
Pinelands Winter Shrubs & Trees Hike
10:30 am
FREE
Wharton State Forest
(609)-567-4559
Note: 2-mile to 4-mile hike
January 20
Recycled Tree Craft
1 p.m.
FREE
Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center
(732) 566-3208
Note: Meet at the Nature Center to craft a tree from recycled products. Ages 6+; ADA accessible
Bird Walk
9 to 11 a.m.
FREE
Round Valley Recreation Area, South Parking Lot
(908) 236-6355
Note: We recommend bringing field guides and binoculars.
Baldpate Mt Hike
1:30 to 4 p.m.
Fee: Program fee may apply
Washington Crossing State Park, Nature Center
(609) 737-0609
Note: We will take the red trail from it trailhead on Church Rd. to the top of the hill. Meet at the parking lot by Neiderer’s Pond (Church Rd). Bring a water bottle and wear hiking shoes. The terrain is ruggedl (pre-teen-adult)
January 24
Winter Tree ID
10:30 a.m. to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Add intrigue to your next winter walk by learning to identify trees by their buds, bark, and branching during this indoor presentation; : For adults; ADA accessible
January 26
Full Moon Rise Hike/Snowshoe
4 to 6 p.m.
Fee: Program fees may apply;pre-registration required (973) 875-1471
High Point State Park
(973) 875-1471
highpointprograms@gmail.com
Note:
Travel approximately a mile to an overlook to watch the sun set in the west and the full moon rise in the east. Whether we go by boot or by snowshoe will depend on the weather. A limited number of snowshoes (child and adult sizes) are available for use during this walk and must be reserved in advance).
Winter Festival
Noon to 3 p.m.
High Point State Park
Sponsor: Friends of High Point State Park
www.friendshighpointstatepark.blogspot.com
Note: Throughout the day, there will be ice fishing demonstrations on Lake Marcia, snowshoeing (conditons permitting) and bird feeder crafts. You'll be able to warm up by the fire in the fireplace at the Interpretive Center and enjoy hot chocolate, s'mores and snacks while learning about ice and snow at High Point. There will also be a presentation by Sussex County weather-guru, Nick Stefano and a sing-along. If weather conditions are unsuitable, program will take place on Sunday, January 27.
11th Annual Hot Chocolate Hike/Snowshoe
10 a.m. to noon
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Tired of being cooped up inside? Join us for a brisk hike (or snowshoe) in the wild winter woods, then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate in our toasty visitor center afterwards. Don’t forget to bring your favorite mug (and snowshoes if necessary)! : For adults; ADA Accessible
Winter Tree ID
1:30 to 3 p.m.
FREE; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: Add intrigue to your next winter walk by learning to identify trees by their buds, bark, and branching during this indoor presentation; for adults; ADA accessible
History Video "Founding Fathers: Taking Liberties"
2 p.m.
Washington Crossing State Park, Visitor Center Museum
(609) 737-9303
Note: This 50-minute video tells the stores of Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Thomas Paine as the colonies move forward to revolution.
January 27
Chicken Whittle Demonstration
1 p.m.
FREE
Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center
(732) 566-3208
Note: Gather at the Nature Center for a step-by-step demonstration on how to whittle a rooster from a tree branch. Ages 9+.; ADA accessible
