Fun February Events @ Morris County Parks!

 

February 15, 2024

This Week:   Maple Sugaring for Adults February 18 Join us to learn in depth information about the process of maple sugaring from harvesting the sap, to tasting the final sweet product, and everything in between! Learn how climate change is affecting the future of maple syrup & discuss state-of-the-art research in the world of maple sugaring. Click here for more details.     Cost: $10 per person. Preregistration is required.   Winter Tour Series -Willowwood Witch Hazels  February 21 In this tour you will discover fragrant, colorful witch hazels at this hidden gem. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes. Meet by the Stone Barn. Explore further details here. Cost: $15 per person. Preregistration is required.   Silver Maples: Winter Birding February 22 Even in winter, birds are out and about looking for food. Dress for the weather and join us on a short hike to look for signs of bird activity. Craft a small bird feeder to lend our bird friends some help! All skill levels welcome. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Look into additional details here. Cost: $15 per person. Preregistration is required.

Spotlight On: Day off with Nature: Wildlife Winter Olympics February 19 The Summer Olympics may be happening in Paris in 2024, but the Great Swamp is having their very own Winter Olympics where animals are the athletes! On this day off from school, compete in various events that showcase different animal skills, make a craft, read stories, and hike the trails. Bring a nut-free snack and lunch. Click here for further details. Cost: $50 per child. Preregistration is required.   Summer Camp Registrations are open! Hurry!! Early registration is key! Ensure your child's spot in their preferred summer camp program, as spaces are limited, and programs fill rapidly. Don't miss out! Explore our summer camps here.   The Art of Tea Blending  February 22 Join us for a wonderful cuppa tea! Learn the history of tea and blending teas. Experience the mixing of herbs for wellness and relaxation. Click here for details.  Cost: $30 per person. Preregistration is required.   Shrubs throughout the Year February 24 Wondering if you can keep your garden looking spectacular all year? Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, will "walk" you through a year of shrubs in this dynamic lecture. Bring a photo of your own garden and she will give you a few ideas to enhance it. Light refreshments will be served. More details enclosed here. Cost: $25 per person. Preregistration is required.

Look What’s Coming: Educating Educators: Learning and Teaching about Animal Tracking February 24 Calling all teachers, naturalists, environmental educators, scout leaders, and homeschool parents!  Let the experts at the Great Swamp teach you what and how to teach about a variety of natural history topics. The first half of the program will be dedicated to learning the deep background knowledge you need to teach each topic, while the second half will showcase a variety of lessons and activities to use with different ages. This month focuses on how to find and read animal tracks and signs in the winter to better understand what wildlife has been there and what they've been up to. Click here to learn more. Cost: $35 per person. Preregistration is required.   Garden Sprouts - Handy Garden Tools February 28 What can we count in the garden? Sprouts and their grownup will cut, sort, and count garden tools. Make your own clay garden tool magnets to take home. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. This program is snow or shine. Get handy with the garden tools, get started! Cost: $10 per child with an adult. Preregistration is required.    Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals Rare Book Botanicals, 1500s-1800s Exhibition on View-Ongoing-until April 2024 Morris Museum 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07950 Explore selections of bound printed and manuscript works of collaboration and the exchange of botanical information from the Elizabeth Donnell Kay book collection.  They highlight defining the relationship between humans and the natural world and include personalized herbal recipes, medical remedies, and gardening rituals. These literary conversations reveal confidence in encyclopedic narratives and expectations that locally sourced old and new plant varieties were beneficial for mind, body, and soul. Come visit the museum and get a glimpse of this rare historic display of botanical knowledge from the archives of Morris County Park Commission.