Events

A.J. MEERWALD 2010 Sailing Season

Mid-April - October 2010
Bayshore Discovery Project
Step back in time — come aboard the restored 1928 Delaware Bay oyster schooner, A.J. MEERWALD. Public sails and charters available. Visit www.bayshorediscovery.org for sail times and locations or call Bayshore Discovery Project at 856-785-2060 for reservations and more information.

Gloucester County 4-H Fair

Thursday – Sunday, July 22 – 25
South Jersey Land and Water Trust
4-H Fairgrounds, Route 77 South, Mullica Hill, NJ.
Please join us for horse shows, kettle corn, and homemade peach ice cream. Volunteers are needed to help with handing out environmental literature and meeting new supporters. Contact Christine at 856-881-2269 or cnolan@sjlandwater.org.

SJLWT Walk in the Woods — Tour Triple Oaks Gardens, Franklinville

Saturday, July 24, at 9 a.m.
South Jersey Land and Water Trust
Please join South Jersey Land and Water Trust staff member Michael Hogan and supporter Lorraine Keifer for a 2 hour guided tour of the extensive display gardens. The gardens are along Little Ease Run which is a tributary of the Maurice River. The gardens include examples of natives, sun and shade-loving plants, trees, shrubs and perennials. Along the way learn how to garden naturally. Directions: Route 55 South, proceed to Exit 43, take LEFT at the stop at the top of the ramp onto Little Mill Road, and then make a RIGHT at the traffic light onto Route 47 (Delsea Drive). Triple Oaks is about 2.5 miles on the right, 1/4 mile South of the center of town. Please RSVP. For more information, contact Michael Hogan at hoganphoto@verizon.net.

Seining at Hand’s Landing Preserve

Saturday, July 31, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Nature Conservancy
See what types of creatures we can find using team work and a large net to seine along the beach of the Delaware Bay. No experience necessary. Learners of all ages may want to bring along field guides to the Atlantic Seashore, Coast or Saltwater fish, along with waterproof shoes or sandals, bug spray and sunscreen. Leaders: Alyssa Jones, Volunteer Coordinator, and Les Frie, Stewardship Manager, The Nature Conservancy. This event is free. Reservations strongly recommended. Please contact the Delaware Bayshores Office at (609) 861-0600 or events@tnc.org. Meeting Location: Kimble’s Beach Road, Cape May County

Peek Preserve Kayak Trip

Saturday, July 31, 1:30 – 4 p.m.
Natural Lands Trust
Harold N. Peek Preserve, City of Millville, Cumberland County, NJ
We will launch at the Peek Preserve at high tide and kayak on the Maurice River. Be sure to bring a lunch and eat it on the observation deck before our paddle begins and don’t forget to bring an extra drink or two for an after-paddle break if you’re interested. Wear shoes/sneaks for wading, and a swimsuit under your clothes since you may get wet. To register, email to: eisenhauer@natlands.org or mail in your request to: NLT, 2100 S. 2nd St., Millville, NJ 08332, or you can call/fax 856-825-9952. All participants must sign and mail in a release form. Without a 2010 signed form we cannot confirm your registration.

Philadelphia Botanical Field Trip, Maurice River Trail

Saturday, August 7
Philadelphia Botanical Society and Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.
Trip leaders: Dr. Gerry Moore, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, & Renee Brecht, CU. The primary emphasis of this trip will be to document the flora of a recently developed nature trail running along the Maurice River just below the Union Lake dam. Coastal woodlands (uplands and lowlands) and freshwater tidal marshes will be visited. Meeting at the baseball field near the dam. For more information see www.ansp.org/hosted/botany_club/field_trips.html or contact Renee Brecht, (856) 305-3238 or rbrecht.cumaurice@yahoo.com.

Purple Martin Migration Spectacular

Friday, August 13, & Saturday, August 14
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.
Join us at the Mauricetown Bridge for this spectacular event 6:30 till dusk! People interested in assisting with interpretation, contact Jane at 609-774-5853. Viewing opportunities are available on shore, and on kayak through Natural Lands Trust (see next event). Or you might choose to cruise aboard the Bodacious. Tickets for the Bodacious must be secured in advance, $30 per person. The boat departs from Port Norris Marina at 6:15 and the trip lasts approximately 3 hours. Contact Linda Costello at Maurice River Township for further details at 856-785-1120 ex. 110. More information.

Purple Martin Roost Kayak Trip

Friday, August 13, & Saturday, August 14, 6 – 9 p.m.
Natural Lands Trust
Maurice River Township, Cumberland County, NJ. Please keep in mind this date is tentative since we have to check in with the Martins to see when they plan to show up! You will enjoy one of South Jersey’s natural wonders and witness a visual extravaganza as tens of thousands Purple Martins fill the evening sky. You will get a front row seat, since we will launch from the Mauricetown Bridge. Wear shoes/sneaks for wading, and a swimsuit under your clothes since you may get wet. To register, email to: eisenhauer@natlands.org or mail in your request to: NLT, 2100 S. 2nd St., Millville, NJ 08332, or you can call/fax 856-825-9952. All participants must sign and mail in a release form. Without a 2010 signed form we cannot confirm your registration.

Hidden Gems of the Bayshores

Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has 18 preserves in the Delaware Bayshores region of New Jersey. In this spirited caravan trip, enjoy a guided tour of the Conservancy’s preserves that are less often visited, but that have enormous scenic and ecological value. Registration/Fee: $30, $20 for Nature Conservancy members. Reservations strongly recommended. Please contact the Delaware Bayshores Office at (609) 861-0600 or events@tnc.org. Meeting Location: Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (The Meadows), Cape May County.

Eldora Nights: Moth and Butterfly Extravaganza

Friday, August 27, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Nature Conservancy
Join Conservancy scientists and renowned lepidopterist, Dr. Dale Schweitzer, for an evening presentation and outdoor field trip at Eldora Nature Preserve. Learn about the winged wonders, both rare and common, that have been the focus of Dale’s recent publications. Enjoy a virtual tour of moths and butterflies in the Delaware Bayshores, then catch a glimpse yourself as Dale leads you outdoors to experience the world of moths around us, using bait and a black-light. Eldora Nature Preserve, 2350 Route 47, Delmont, NJ. This program is free and open to the public. Reservations strongly recommended. Please contact the Delaware Bayshores Office at (609) 861-0600 or email events@tnc.org. More information.

Butterfly and Dragonfly Expedition

Saturday, August 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Nature Conservancy
Take a trek through Cape Island Creek Preserve and discover the many butterflies and dragonflies that thrive in this unique area. The 178-acre preserve has 46 acres of fields that the Conservancy is actively managing for breeding and migratory birds, butterflies and moths. Explore the islands of seed- and fruit-bearing native plants surrounded by open fields of warm season native grasses. Definitely a must-see! Bring a bagged lunch, camera, binoculars and field guides. Cape Island Creek Preserve, Cape May County. Leader: Will Kerling, naturalist and Nature Conservancy Citizen Scientist. This event is free. Reservations strongly recommended. Please contact the Delaware Bayshores Office at (609) 861-0600 or email events@tnc.org. More information.

Cohansey RiverFest

Saturday, August 28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Greater Bridgeton, NJ. Celebrate the Cohansey River and all its bounty during the inaugural Cohansey RiverFest. Visitors can bike, boat, and drive among outdoor destinations while taking pit stops for fresh clams, crabs, oysters, ribs, and produce. Many programs and tours will be available, including one on the Atlantic sturgeon — this year’s theme. Visit CohanseyRiverFest.org for details, or call (856) 453-8130.

Raybins Beach Kayak Trip

Sunday, September 19, noon to 3 p.m.
Natural Lands Trust
Downe Township, Cumberland County, NJ
Since we will launch at low tide we should have lots of Delaware Bay beach to explore. This year we’ll cover more area than last (maybe we’ll see a marsh fox again!). If you would like a meal afterwards, The Charlesworth Restaurant in Fortescue has good food and a great view of the bay. Wear shoes/sneaks for wading, and a swimsuit under your clothes since you may get wet. This event is free to Natural Lands Trust Members. More info. To register, email to: eisenhauer@natlands.org or mail in your request to: NLT, 2100 S. 2nd St., Millville, NJ 08332, or you can call/fax 856-825-9952. All participants must sign and mail in a release form. Without a 2010 signed form we cannot confirm your registration.

Peek Preserve Kayak Trip

Sunday, September 26, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Natural Lands Trust
City of Millville, Cumberland County, NJ
From your kayak, experience what South Jersey offers in the fall. As we paddle down the Maurice River we will observe swarms of redwinged blackbirds. Be sure to bring a lunch and eat it on the observation deck before our paddle begins and don’t forget to bring an extra drink or two for an after-paddle break. Wear shoes/sneaks for wading, and a swimsuit under your clothes since you may get wet. To register, email to: eisenhauer@natlands.org or mail in your request to: NLT, 2100 S. 2nd St., Millville, NJ 08332, or you can call/fax 856-825-9952. All participants must sign and mail in a release form. Without a 2010 signed form we cannot confirm your registration.