Essex County Environmental Center

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Click HERE for our Spring Seasonal Brochure of Public Programs

Little Explorers’ Spring 2023 - Mondays from March through June
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. $15 per child per class.

Frog Pond Science Club - Wednesdays from March through June 2023
For children 5 to 9 years old. Uncover and discover ecosystem interactions at the frog pond. Use nets, magnifiers, and microscopes to investigate. Learn from a naturalist how to protect and conserve the pond’s inhabitants. Advanced registration and payment are required.

Nature Explorers Spring Camp 2023 - April
Campers are immersed in nature using stories, hikes, crafts, exploration and hands-on discovery. Includes materials and take-home projects.

Garden Discovery Club - Tuesdays from April through September 2023
For children ages 5 years 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 in the garden. Advanced registration, payment & participation waiver are required.

Forest Friends Club - Thursdays from April through June 2023
For children ages 5 to 10 years old. 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 take part in hands-on conservation activities. Advanced registration and payment are required.

Essex County Earth Day Celebration - Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join an ECEC naturalist for a free seasonal discovery nature hike at 12, 1 or 2pm. Each 30- minute tour begins at the back deck of the Environmental Center and explores our feathered friends within our wooded wetland forest! Must pre-register for this offering, 973- 228-8776.

Making g‘ART’bage Contest 2023
This g'ART'bage contest takes a creative approach to protecting our planet from plastic pollution by pulling plastics out of the waste-stream and transforming them into works of public art. Contest participants are challenged to be thoughtful and creative in crafting art made from single-use plastic garbage (non-recyclable plastics).
Registration deadline is Friday, April 7th!

PROJECT WET TEACHER WORKSHOP - Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 9am to 3pm

For educators of grades K-8. The Project WET curriculum guide is a collection of science-based, interdisciplinary activities and lesson plans that are teacher-tested and classroom ready. They are sure to help 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 a lunch and dress for the weather. Certificates are given for the workshop hours completed. Led by David Alexander. Fee: $35 (includes curriculum activity guide) Scholarships available for Essex County urban aid district teachers in Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Orange, Irvington, Newark, and Montclair! Contact David for details, dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org. Pre-registration and payment required either in person, by mail or online.

Spring 2023 Essex County Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale!
We're excited to offer our Spring 2023 Community Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale.
Ordering deadline date: Friday, May 19th
Orders must be picked up on May 21st at one of two convenient locations, see flyer for details.

Wilderness Skills Summer Camp 2023 - July 10th through July 14th from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Join Senior Staff Naturalist David Alexander for some exciting lessons in outdoor skill building. Participants will identify wild plants, learn to track animals, create fires, go canoeing, make natural cordage, build shelters & much more! $300 per child.

Nature Explorers Summer Camp 2023
Children in Pre-Kindergarten to 4th Grade. Programs scheduled for July and August.

Do you need financial assistance for our Summer Camps?
We have scholarship monies available to grant up to one week of camp, free of charge to families in financial hardship.

• Applicants must meet a residency requirement based on the private grant that is funding the scholarships. Residency must be in Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Orange, Irvington, Montclair or Newark.
• Applicants must provide proof of financial hardship (such as unemployment statement, most recent tax return, etc.). To inquire contact David, dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org