Celebrate Earth Day & Spring Family Programs!
Essex County
Environmental Center
Click HERE to
view our Parks Calendar & Register Online Today!
Click
HERE for
our Public Programs Brochure
FAMILY
DINOSAUR DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP
Tuesday, April 16, 5:15pm to 7:15pm For families with young children ages 4 and up. Meet at the end of Locust Avenue in Roseland and hike 1 mile total to
explore this National Historic Landmark that is home to three-toed
Grallator dinosaur tracks from the late Triassic age. Using clay,
we’ll make and take an impression of an existing track and leave the
site undisturbed for future paleontological study.
Fee: $40 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $12 per
child, $15 per adult
Register HERE 
LITTLE
EXPLORERS CLUB
Mondays – April 22; May 6, 20; June 3, 17
For Ages 2 and 3; 10am to 11am For Ages 2 and 5; 3pm-4pm Join us for
explorations of nature as we study plants and animals and observe the
colors, shapes, textures, and sounds in the Environmental Center’s
forest habitat. Please come dressed for the weather; all classes
include an outdoor adventure. All children must be walking and
accompanied by an adult. Paths cannot accommodate strollers. Please
be prepared for all weather conditions.
Maximum of two children per adult. All sessions are limited to 10
children.
This is not a drop off class; adults must accompany children. Fee:
$15 per child per session.
Register HERE
GARDEN
DISCOVERY CLUB
Tuesdays – April 23; May 7, 21; June 4, 18; July 9, 23; August 6, 20;
Sept. 10 4pm to 5pm For ages 5 and up. Together we’ll grow food in our garden plot and learn about
everything from soil to seeds along the way. Participants will get
hands-on experience with planting, harvesting and cooking. Session
themes include soil and composting, seed planting and labeling,
thinning, weeding and watering, selective harvest, garden pests,
healthy eating and more! This is a drop-off and pick-up class
(children only). Fee: $15 per child per session
Register HERE 
FOREST
FRIENDS CLUB
Thursdays – May 9, June 6 4pm to 5pm
For children ages 5 through 10.
We’ll explore the forest using nets, binoculars, magnifiers, and
microscopes to investigate nature in our wooded wetland habitat.
Together we hope to foster an ethic of stewardship and offer an
opportunity to take part in hands-on conservation projects. Fee: $12
per child per session
Register HERE 
FROG POND
CLUB
Wednesdays – April 17, May 15, & June 12 4pm to 5pm
For children ages 5 through 9.
Uncover and discover ecosystem interactions at the frog pond.
Explore with nets, magnifiers and microscopes to investigate what
lives at the pond and learn from a naturalist what can be done to
protect and conserve the pond inhabitants.
Fee: $12 per child per session
Register HERE 
FAMILY
DAFFODIL DISSECTION
Monday, April 22, 6pm to 7:30pm For families.
With Naturalist Heather, we’ll pick and dissect a daffodil to better
understand flower anatomy and pollination, play a game of pollinator
family feud and take a walk on the Environmental Center trails. There
we will discover spring wildflowers like Trout Lily, Violet, Spring
Beauty, and Solomon Seal.
Fee: $40 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $12 per
child, $15 per adult.
Register HERE 
WILDLIFE
TRACKING & PLASTER CASTING
Tuesday, April 30, 6pm to 7:30pm For families with young children ages 5 and up. Predict what tracks you might find in our wooded wetland habitat and
go search the forest and river edge. We’ll discover hoofed, clawed
and webbed animal feet and see how wildlife is especially adapted to
the terrain. We’ll make own plaster animal tracks from the tracks
that we find. Fee: $40 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $12 per
child, $15 per adult.
Register HERE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
FOR ADULTS
Grant Funded FREE for Essex County Urban Aid District teachers
and community leaders!
Email David
to inquire: dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org
Pre-registration
and payment required either in person, by mail or online at www.essexcountyparks.org/calendar
DESIGNING
AND INSTALLING A TEACHING POLLINATOR GARDEN:
CONNECTING
CURRICULUM
TO OUTDOOR SPACES
Monday,
April 22, 6:15pm to 8:15pm
Imagine turning your space into a vibrant learning oasis! Our
workshop guides educators and community folks on a seamlessly blended
academic curriculum to achieve a lively pollinator garden, creating a
holistic learning experience for everyone involved. This workshop is
designed by Dena Corbin, founder and CEO of Natural Ground 1, a
unique platform dedicated to fostering wellness and well-being
through a harmonious blend of workshops. The focus revolves around
the intrinsic connection between native plants, personal wellness,
and the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
Fee: $15 per
adult Register HERE
Grant Funded FREE for Essex County Urban Aid District teachers
and community leaders!
Email David
to inquire: dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org 
AND
PROJECT
WET - TEACHER WORKSHOP
Monday, May
13 9am to 3pm The Project WET curriculum guide, focusing on grades K through 6, is
a collection of science-based, interdisciplinary activities and
lesson plans that are teacher-tested and classroom ready. They help
formal and non-formal educators, feel confident addressing themes of
water in the classroom and empower students to build a more resilient
future. Project Wet is aligned with Common Core and NGSS standards.
Bring lunch and dress for the weather. Certificates are given for the
workshop hours completed.
Led by Environmental Center Senior Naturalist David Alexander. Fee: $35
(includes curriculum activity guide) Register HERE
Grant Funded FREE for Essex County Urban Aid District teachers
and community leaders!
Email David
to inquire: dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org 
Grant Funded FREE for Essex County Urban Aid District teachers
and community leaders!
Email David
to inquire: dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org
Pre-registration
and payment required either in person, by mail or online at www.essexcountyparks.org/calendar
SPRING WILD
EDIBLE WALK Friday, May 10, 6pm to 7:30pm For families. Take a walk along our trails to identify and
discuss the variety of forest groceries available for harvest around
our local landscape. You’ll meet Spice Bush, Ostrich Fern, Mountain
Mint, Stinging Nettle, Wild Leek, Trout Lily and others. Learn some
of the folklore behind the plants and, as we walk and talk, we’ll
discuss proper identification, ethical harvest, growing environment
and methods of preparation. On our return, we’ll collect a few
dandelions to fry up as bite size fritters and leave with a greater
appreciation for the ephemeral beauty of our changing seasons. Fee: $40 per family
(up to two adults and two children) or $12 per child, $15 per
adult
Register HERE 
UPPER
PASSAIC RIVER CANOE TRIP
Wednesday, May 15, 6pm to 8pm For adults and children ages 10 and older. Take a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River! Paddlers will enjoy
scenery and peacefulness as they paddle up the river and float
downstream. G
eared for beginners and children 10 and up accompanied by a parent or
guardian. Meet in the Garibaldi Hall parking lot. Fee: $20 per person
Register HERE 
2024 ESSEX
COUNTY PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Submissions are due by Wednesday, September 11, so grab a camera and
visit an Essex County Park! Anyone with a camera is invited and
encouraged to submit photos that capture a part of your visit to the
County Park System. For rules and regulations, please click here.
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