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Registration is required for all Watershed Association programs, unless stated otherwise. Space is limited. All programs meet at the Buttinger Nature Center, unless stated otherwise. Please call (609) 737-7592 to register.

Payment is accepted by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard or Discover and can be dropped off at the Nature Center or mailed to:

Education Programs
31 Titus Mill Road
Pennington, NJ 08534

Refund Policy: A full refund will be made if notice of cancellation is received at least 48 hours before a program. Call (609) 737-7592 to cancel. No refunds or credits will be given after that time. Watershed Association membership is not refundable.

• February 25

  Maple Sugar Memories!

  Saturday, 10:30 AM – 12 PM, Families, Fee per family: $10 Members /$15 Non-members

  Bring your family to the Watershed Reserve to enjoy the maple syrup made on site this year! After a short walk to visit our tapped trees and the ‘evaporation station’, take our maple syrup taste test challenge. Come dressed for wintery weather; boots recommended.

• March 2

  Woodcock Watch

  Friday, 6-7:30 PM, Adults and Families (children 6 and older), Fee: $5 per person

  Discover the local avian harbinger of spring, the woodcock, on a short hike on the Watershed Reserve trails with Education Director Jeff Hoagland. Join us at dusk as we watch and learn more about their spring courtship dance and fascinating life.

• March 3

  In Search of Skunk Cabbage

  Saturday, 10 -11:30 AM, Adults and Families, Fee: $5 per person

  Blooming late in winter, skunk cabbage seems to ignore the cold and welcome the arrival of spring. Join us on this hike to meet this unusual plant as well as search for other signs of spring.

• March 10

  Summer Camp Open House!

  Saturday, 1 -4 PM, Families, FREE

  Nature & Environmental Day Camp 2012 is open to children in preschool through high school. Come by and meet the Camp Director, learn more about the upcoming summer season and sign up for camp!

• March 24

  TREE-mendous Geocache Adventure

  Saturday, 1:30-3:30 PM, Adults and Families, Fee: $5 per person

  Join this unique exploration of trees on the Watershed Reserve through the hobby of geocaching. This ‘scavenger hunt in the wild’ will enthrall beginner and experienced cachers. Participants must supply their own GPS unit. Watch for more details and RSVP at www.geocaching.com.

• March 30

  Tiny Tot Walk

  Friday, 10-11 AM, Children (18-36 months), Fee per child per session: $7M/$10NM

  You and your ‘budding naturalist’ are invited to join Pam Newitt on one – or all – of these monthly outdoor adventures. She will lead toddlers on an exploration of the natural world. All should dress for the outdoors.

• March 31

  Build Your Own Rain Barrel

  Saturday, 9:30 AM – 12 PM, Adults, Fee: $45 Program takes place in the Kingsford Community Room.
  

  Learn how installing rain barrels under your home’s downspouts can save you money and help protect the environment! Fee includes materials, hardware and instruction. Couples and individuals welcome.

• April 2-6

  Spring Break Mini-Camp

  Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 4 PM, Children 6-12 years old, Fee per day per child: $50M/$65NM; sibling/multi-day discounts and extended care available

  Sign up for one day or all week! Spend your spring school break with the Naturalists, exploring the trails on the Reserve, building shelters in the woods, walking to the pond or stream, and enjoying a daily afternoon campfire with marshmallow roast. Registration is required.

• April 7

  Vernal Pools of the Sourland Mountains

  Saturday, 10–11 AM, Adults and Families (Children 5 and older), Fee: $5 per person

  Join Naturalist Allison Jackson on an exploratory hike of vernal pools in the Sourland Mountains, learning about life cycles and the food web, while searching for amphibians, insects, reptiles and other native creatures. This program does not meet at the Watershed Reserve.

• April 7

  Nature Camouflage Egg Hunt

  Saturday, 1-2 PM, Families (Children 3-10 years old), Fee: $8 per child, adults free

  Wander through the fields and forests of the Watershed Reserve with our Naturalists to see how many naturally dyed eggs you can discover. Children should bring a basket or bag for egg gathering.

• April 14

  Princyclopedia

  Saturday, 10 AM–3 PM, Families, FREE

  Look for the Teacher-Naturalists at the annual book convention held at Dillon Gym on the campus of Princeton University. Registration is not required, for more information visit www.princeton.edu/cotsen.

• April 14

  BSA ‘Bird Study’ Merit Badge

  Saturday, 9:30AM–12:30 PM, Boy Scouts 11 years and older, $20 per scout

  This workshop will cover a wide range of topics helping the Boy Scout acquire the Bird Study Merit Badge. Out on the trails with Merit Badge Counselor Jeff Hoagland, boys will learn to observe and identify a variety of birds, discovering the secret lives of our feathered friends. Boys may also register for ‘Build a Birdhouse’ workshop, which follows in the afternoon.

• April 14

  Build A Birdhouse Workshop

  Saturday, 1:30–3:30 PM, Families, $25 per birdhouse

  As you hike the Watershed Reserve property with one of the Naturalists, we will examine several natural bird homes and discover some of the truly strange places birds will build their nests. Then build your own Eastern bluebird house with us, take it home and wait for new avian neighbors!

• April 16

  Tiny Tot Walk

  Monday, 10-11 AM, Children (18-36 months), Fee per child per session: $7M/$10NM

  You and your ‘budding naturalist’ are invited to join Pam Newitt on one – or all – of these monthly outdoor adventures. She will lead toddlers on an exploration of the natural world. All should dress for the outdoors.

• April 21

  Foraging for Wild Edibles

  Saturday, 8:30–12:30 PM, Adults and older teens, Fee per person: $20M/$25NM

  Join this delicious hike with Education Director Jeff Hoagland on the Watershed Reserve in search of wild edible plants. Explore the traditions of our European and Native American roots (no pun intended) as we eat our way through forest and field!

• April 21

  Summer Camp Open House

  Saturday, 1-4 PM, Families, FREE

  Nature & Environmental Summer Day Camp 2012 is just around the corner! Kids aged 3-16 and their families can meet Camp Director Tammy Love, learn about and register for camp! Registration for Open House is not required. Additional Open House: May 19.

• April 21/22 and 28/29

  6th Annual Stream Cleanups

  Saturday and Sunday, times and locations TBD, Families and Adults, FREE

  Help keep the waterways of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed clean and healthy! Join us to pick up trash at a stream in your community. Do you want to volunteer in your town or nearby community? Contact Community Advocacy Coordinator Leslie Brecknell at 609-737-3735 x30 to take action!

• April 23

  Watershed Association Annual Meeting

  Monday, 5:30 light refreshments, 6:00 meeting, Members and their families

  Welcome new members to the Watershed Association Board of Trustees and honor environmental leaders in our communities. Visit www.thewatershed.org for more information and RSVP to Executive Assistant Darlis Maksymovich, 609-737-3735 x10.

• April 27

  Frog Slog

  Friday, 8 PM, Families (children 6 and older) and Adults, Fee per person: $8M/$12NM

  Discover the secret life of frogs on a special late night hike with Education Director Jeff Hoagland at the soggy and sonic Watershed Reserve landscape of the Association’s pond on Wargo Road. Come with sharp ears and eyes, as well as a flashlight. Wear boots and be prepared for wet and muddy walking conditions.

• May 5

  Awakening: Exploring Nature’s Renewal through Photography

  Saturday, 3-6 PM, Adults, Fee per person: $40M/$50NM

  Learn firsthand about the emergence of spring from the awakening of insects and other small creatures to the unfolding of foliage and flowers. Explore the Watershed Reserve with one of the Naturalists, accompanied by Peter Cook, Photography Dept. Manager at Arts Council of Princeton. You will receive individualized attention and photography instruction throughout the afternoon. Register at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.

• May 9

  Tiny Tot Walk

  Wednesday, 10-11 AM, Children (18-36 months), Fee per child per session: $7M/$10NM

  You and your ‘budding naturalist’ are invited to join Pam Newitt on one – or all – of these monthly outdoor adventures. She will lead toddlers on an exploration of the natural world. All should dress for the outdoors.

• May 19

  Family Fun Walk in Kunkel Park

  Saturday, 8:30-9:30 AM, Families and Adults, FREE

  Join one of the Naturalists in the park before the start of Pennington Day! We will explore special nooks and crannies that invite the exploration of nature. Registration requested. Meet us at the park picnic area.

• May 19

  Summer Camp Open House

  Saturday, 1-4 PM, Families, FREE

  Nature & Environmental Summer Day Camp 2012 is just around the corner! Kids aged 3-16 and their families can meet Camp Director Tammy Love, learn about and register for camp! Registration for Open House is not required.

• May 19

  Back to the River- Millstone River Canoe Trip

  Saturday, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM, Adults and older teens only, Fee varies: $25-$50 per person

  Join Jeff Hoagland for a paddle on the Millstone River, from Griggstown to Manville. Canoes/kayaks are rented onsite and fee covers watercraft, paddle, and PFD as well as guide/naturalist and lifeguard services. Space is very limited and registration is required. Call for more information, 609-737-7592. This program does not meet at the Watershed Reserve.