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| Environmental Education Programs at the Interpretive Center |
ABC Arboretum
Grades: Primary
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
The ABC Arboretum leads through trees and shrubs for each letter of the alphabet. The program includes Project Learning Tree activities such as “Shape of Things” and "Adopt a Tree” where students explore colors, textures, and shapes found in nature. These activities introduce the children to the fascinating world of trees.*self-guided trail booklet available at the interpretive center
Bluebird Trail
Grades: Intermediate/Secondary
Time: 1- 1 1/2 Hours
Students will examine the habitat, behavior, and nesting requirements of the once abundant species the Eastern bluebird. Students will learn how the 25 nest boxes and 4 winter roost boxes are strategically placed along the trail and monitored. If students approach quietly, they may even see a bluebird. * Booklet available at the interpretive center.
Fire Ecology
Grades: Intermediate/Secondary
Time: 1- 1 1/2 Hours
Students will hike along our FireWise Trail and stop at several locations to identify evidence of wildfire, and observe fire management techniques including prescribed burning, fire buffers, and fire breaks. They will work cooperatively during field investigations to collect and interpret data. Our forestry staff will demonstrate the proper use and function of forest fire apparatus.
Forest Discovery Trail
Grades: Intermediate
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
This hike introduces students to forest ecology and uses of different tree species. Students will learn to “see the forest for the trees”. During the hike they will be able to identify selected tree and shrub species, observe such impacts as competition, lightning, wind, and human activities, learn how to detect signs of animals, and visit the scenic overlook of the Toms River. *self-guided trail booklet available at the interpretive center
Forest Products Loop
Grades: Primary/Intermediate/Secondary
Time: 1 - 2 Hours
 Students participate in activities promoting the conservation of tree products that we use daily. During the hike, they will learn about trees and shrubs used to make forest products, and may get an opportunity to taste one. Students will observe milling of sawlogs into lumber, shiitake mushrooms growing, and the process of making maple syrup at the stations along the Forest Products Loop Trail.
Hands Across New Jersey
Grades: Intermediate
Time: 1/2 Hour
This learning station features a 24' x 10' relief map of New Jersey mounted to a raised deck. All of the students can gather around this tactile map and locate one of 24 places around the state. Students will learn how to orient the map to the compass and locate major bodies of water. Students will find the state capital, neighboring states, and their hometown on this oversized map. Participants will mark their location with the tactile block provided, and place their “Hands Across New Jersey”.
Plant-Soil Relationships
Grades: Intermediate/Secondary
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
Students will explore selected locations along the Project Learning Trail to visit various soil types, create a soil profile, and record the following soil data: color, texture, pH, moisture, and permeability. The suitability of these soil types for such uses as lawns, roadways, agriculture, forestry and building structures will also be illustrated. Activities during the field trip will include percolation testing, how to determine wetland plants and soils, and practical methods for preventing soil erosion.
Seeds to Trees Nursery Tour
Grades: Primary/Intermediate
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
The Forest Resource Education Center is home to the New Jersey Forest Tree Nursery. Students will be shown how our nursery staff collects, sorts, processes, stores, and germinates seeds used to produce more than 300,000 tree seedlings yearly for reforestation. A tour of the greenhouse, a visit to our nursery fields and orchards, and acorn planting may be included in the program if seasonal timing and weather conditions permit.
Sensory Awareness Trail
Grades: Intermediate
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
Designed to enhance perceptual skills and increase sensory awareness of our surrounding environment - students will experience a variety of techniques to use each of their five senses. By holding onto the “guide rope”, students are led along the trail that leads to a number of tactile signs. There are three gathering areas featuring informational kiosks and “talking trees.” A boardwalk leads from the upland portion of the trail through a hardwood swamp to provide access to the headwaters of the Toms River. Here students can sit and observe, reflect, and do creative drawing and writing.
*self-guided trail booklet available at the interpretive center
Swamp Life Trail
Grades: Intermediate/Secondary
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
Participants will explore the forested wetland during a guided hike on the Swamp Life Trail. They will visit an informational kiosk with a talking tree. Students will look for "swamp clues" such as snags, blow down trees, and vernal pools, as well as swamp creatures. While along the bank of the Toms River, students will observe sand point bars, a meandering stream, and an oxbow lake.
*self-guided trail booklet available at the interpretive center
Traditional Uses of Native Plants
Grades: Intermediate/Secondary
Time: 1/2 -1 Hours
During this program, participants will learn how to identify selected edible and medicinal wild plants. Field investigations will include a demonstration of proper methods of collecting a variety of native plants in woodland, wetland, disturbed field and roadside habitats. Students will find out how to prepare wild salads, cook green vegetables, process nuts, large seeds, wild fruits and berries. They may make such beverages as wintergreen tea, sassafras tea, birch beer, and sumac lemonade. Preserving wild foods by means of drying, pickling, and canning will be discussed. There may be an opportunity to taste some of these wild foods.
Watershed Investigations
Grades: Intermediate
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 Hours
During this hands-on program, students will take measurements along a 100' segment of the Toms River with the assistance of one of our staff who will be wading in the water. Students will calculate and record average stream width, depth, and the velocity of the current. Using the collected data, the class will calculate the carrying capacity of the river in gallons per day. Staff will highlight the importance of protecting surface water and preventing negative impacts.
Wildlife Habitats
Grades: Intermediate
Time: 1 - 2 hours 
Students will visit an interactive Wildlife Habitat learning station within our Loblolly Pine Grove. Here students will be able to identify various signs of animals, learn how to search in a variety of habitats to find these signs, and observe techniques used to improve wildlife habitat. The students, working in small groups, will venture out on a short hike to conduct observations in the field, collect
March 23, 2007
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 Reservations
To schedule an environmental education program, please call the education coordinator. If our calendar permits, we will schedule a date for you. We will then send you a confirmation letter, directions and pre-lesson activities.
Terry O'Leary
Education Coordinator
(732) 928-0987
TMOLeary@gmail.com
Logistics & Notes
There is NO FEE for any interpretive program.
- Make a reservation well in advance - days book up quickly
- Program length is flexible to fit your needs.
- Programs are available to groups of ten or more.
- Maximum group size is dependent on staff availability.
- All programs MUST be reserved in advance.
- Programs are taught outdoors regardless of weather - wear appropriate clothing.
- You may have lunch after the program, but you must take your trash with you.
- Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to protect from poison ivy and ticks.
See more photos of our facility in the photo gallery.
All programs have been correlated to NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions |
When are interpretive programs available for scouts?
Scouts can attend Fall Forestry Festival, held yearly on the first Satuday in October, for programs to help fulfill badges.
Can I schedule an outreach interpretive program?
At this time, we do not give programs offsite. You may want to borrow a project learning trunk to use with your group. Educators may schedule a Project Learning Tree workshop at your school.
| Interpretive Center Professional Development Workshops for Educators |
Interpretive Center is committed to providing professional development opportunities for teachers, educators and other youth leaders. Project Learning Tree (PLT) environmental education workshops are offered at the Interpretive Center. PLT also offers these workshops by request to schools, teacher colleges and other organizations as pre- or in-service programs. If you would like more information or a current list of our upcoming workshops at the FREC and at other locations, please visit NJ Project Learning Tree.
Project Learning Tree (PLT)
Grades: K- 12
PLT is an award-winning environmental education activity guide with over 100 lesson plans for preschool through 12th grade students. PLT uses the forest as a "window on the world" to increase students' understanding of our complex environment; to stimulate critical and creative thinking; to develop the ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and to instill the confidence and commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment. PLT is designed to work in rural, suburban, and urban area, whether there is a forest or just a single tree.
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