CLOSTER, N.J.—Under sunny skies and gentle breezes, more than 100 pre-schoolers walked the short distance from the Lindgren School on Irving Avenue to the Closter Nature Center on Ruckman Road. The destination was a perfect one to celebrate Earth Day.
Grammy Award winner and renowned folk singer Tom Chapin led the children in a potpourri of earth-loving songs, accompanied by his daughter Lily Chapin and Lindgren teacher Jane Cantatore.
After the songfest concluded, the children held hands and stretched around the edge of Ruckman Pond to see how far they could go.
The Closter Nature Center is ready for spring and has a busy calendar in the coming month or two.
On Saturday, May 4 from 8– 10 a.m., the public is invited to the Spring Birding Experience led by naturalist Nancy Slowik. Seasoned birders and newcomers are welcome. The program is free for members and $5 for non-members.
A Forest Stewardship Presentation by Marc Gussen will take place on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. for all those interested in learning more about ways the nature center board is actively involved in protecting plant and animal species that live in the nature center. The over-population of deer, non-native insects attacking trees, and invasive plants out-competing native plants are the three biggest threats to diversity faced within the nature center property.
A summer hike is scheduled for Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. and is free to the public, along with the annual Pond Celebration on June 2 from 1–4 p.m.
Visit the Closter Nature Center website for information about the May afterschool programs, along with registration for Summer Program classes which begin on June 24, or call naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2178.