Nature Programs and Events

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, Kittatinny Valley State Park invites you to participate in our seasonal interpretive programs. The park and volunteers of the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee offer a variety of informative and educational programs throughout the year.

Programs sponsored by the park are free of charge and meet at the visitor center, located 1 mile north of Route 206 off Goodale Road in Andover, New Jersey, unless otherwise noted. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS BY 3:30 PM OF THE DAY PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM DATE, as space is limited. In case of inclement weather, all participants are urged to call the park office to determine whether programs have been cancelled or rescheduled.

For additional information, please contact the Kittatinny Valley State Park office at (973) 786-6445, or by e-mail at kittatinnyvalley@embarqmail.com.

*PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY 3:30 PM OF THE DAY PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM DATE. Please call (973) 786-6445. Programs are free of charge and meet at the visitor center located 1 mile north of Route 206, off Goodale Road in Andover Township, unless otherwise noted. Please be prompt - programs start at the time indicated. Adults must accompany children at all times. Pets are not permitted during programs. In case of inclement weather, all participants are urged to contact the visitor center to determine whether programs have been rescheduled. All programs are subject to change.

LATE BLOOMERS
Saturday, August 29
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
For adults. Let’s take a walk in the late summer meadows to learn how to differentiate between the similar-looking asters, goldenrods, and flowers of fall. Indoors in the event of inclement weather.

MORNING KAYAKING
Sunday, August 30
7:00 – 8:30 AM
For teens & adults. Bring your own kayak, PFD, and paddle for this scenic exploration of the deepest natural lake in New Jersey. Meet at the Lake Aeroflex boat launch located off Limecrest Rd. Previous kayaking experience required.

THE MAGIC OF MONARCHS
Wednesday, September 2
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
For adults with children ages 6-12. Spend a year in the life of a monarch butterfly, from egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to adult, and find out why milkweed is important to monarchs while visiting our butterfly garden.

L'IL TYKES HIKE
Thursdays, September 3 & 17
4:00 - 5:00 PM
For adults with children ages 5 & under. Share the afternoon with your little one in the Great Outdoors on this naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Important: Babies must be carried in a front-pack or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings, please!

KITTATINNY CANINES DOG WALK
Saturday, September 12
9:00 - 10:00 AM
For well-socialized dogs and their owners. Get outside with your "best friend" and learn dog walking tips from a professional dog trainer for free! Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times. Children must be accompanied by adults.

DISCOVER KVSP FAMILY NATURE HIKE
Saturday, September 12
11:00 AM - NOON
Family program - all ages. Never explored Kittatinny Valley State Park? This is your chance to take a naturalist-guided tour and learn all about this invaluable public treasure.

AUTUMN: TRADITIONAL HARVEST CELEBRATIONS & HIKE
Tuesday, September 22 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, September 23 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, September 24 10:00 AM - NOON
For adults. Harvest festivals and seasonal customs from around the world will be illustrated and discussed during this indoor presentation. A guided one-mile hike follows.

"AEROFLEX IN AUTUMN" SUNSET PADDLE
Wednesday, September 30
5:00 - 6:30 PM
For teens & adults. Bring your own kayak, PFD, and paddle for this scenic exploration of the deepest natural lake in New Jersey. Meet at the Lake Aeroflex boat launch located off Limecrest Rd. Previous kayaking experience required.

L'IL TYKES HIKES
Thursdays, October 1, 15 & 29
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
For children ages 5 & under. Share the afternoon with your little one in the Great Outdoors on this naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Important: All babies must be carried in a front-pack or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings please!

KITTATINNY CANINES DOG WALK
Saturdays, October 10 & 24
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
For well-socialized dogs and their owners. Get outside with your "best friend" and learn dog walking tips from a professional dog trainer for free! Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times. Children must be accompanied by adults.

DISCOVER KVSP FAMILY NATURE HIKES
Saturdays, October 10 & 24
11:00 AM - NOON
Family program - all ages. Never explored Kittatinny Valley State Park? This is your chance to take a naturalist-guided tour and learn all about this public treasure.

THE NATURE OF HALLOWEEN
Wednesday, October 28 & Friday, October 30
4:00 - 5:00 PM
For adults and children ages 6-12. Let's investigate the natural history of this magical season then scare up some fun on a "spooky" scavenger hunt outside.

L'IL TYKES HIKES
Thursdays, November 12 & 19
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
For children ages 5 & under. Share the afternoon with your little one in the Great Outdoors on this naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Important: All babies must be carried in a front-pack or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings please!

KITTATINNY CANINES DOG WALK
Saturday, November 14
8:00 - 9:00 AM
For well-socialized dogs and their owners. Get outside with your "best friend" and learn about the park on this 1.5-mile walk. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times. Children must be accompanied by adults.

DISCOVER KVSP FAMILY NATURE HIKE
Saturday, November 14
11:00 AM - NOON
Family program - all ages. Never explored Kittatinny Valley State Park? This is your chance to take a naturalist-guided tour and learn all about this invaluable public treasure.

TURKEY TIME WITH RANGER DAVE
Saturday, November 21
11:00 AM - NOON
For adults and children ages 6-12. Enjoy learning all about the life of the wild turkey from an experienced outdoorsman during this indoor presentation.

L'IL TYKES HIKES
Thursdays, December 3 & 17
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
For children ages 5 & under. Share the afternoon with your little one in the Great Outdoors on this naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Important: All babies must be carried in a front-pack or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings please!

THE STORY OF STUFF
Saturday, December 5
10:30 AM
For adults. A fast-paced 20-minute film examining the impacts of all the stuff we accumulate in our lives. It just may change the way you buy stuff forever! Discussion follows.

GREEN LIVING: HOW TO SAVE MONEY, YOUR HEALTH, AND THE PLANET
Saturday, December 5
11:00 AM - NOON
For adults. This program will demonstrate how making simple lifestyle choices that benefit the environment will also keep money in your wallet. We will discuss practical solutions to reduce home utility bills, improve indoor air quality and family health, offset carbon emissions, and conserve water.

BACKYARD BIRDFEEDING
Saturday, December 12
11:00 AM - NOON
For adults and children ages 6-12. Learn to identify winter birds and how to attract them to your yard by making your own pinecone-and-peanut butter birdfeeder during this indoor program.

WINTER SOLSTICE HIKE
Saturday, December 19
10:00 AM - NOON
For adults. Celebrate the holiday season by experiencing the sights and sounds of the serene winter woods on this 4-mile, moderately strenuous hike.

WINTER: A FEAST OF HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Saturday, December 19
1:30 - 2:30 PM
For adults. We will learn how people around the world celebrate the cycle of the seasons, and discover Nature at the heart of our own popular holiday traditions.

WILDFLOWERS IN WINTER
Saturday, January 9 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Wednesday, January 13 1:00 - 2:30 PM
For adults. Learn to identify the surprisingly beautiful remains of wildflowers by shape and form. Indoor presentation followed by a short walk, weather permitting.

WINTER WONDERS STORY HOUR
Thursdays, January 14 & 28
11:00 AM - NOON
For children ages 4 & 5. Share a fun-filled hour with your child and introduce them to nature's wonders by joining the park naturalist for stories and a craft!

OWLS: SILENT HUNTERS OF THE NIGHT
Thursday, January 21
4:30 - 5:30 PM
For adults and children ages 8-12. Everything you ever wanted to know about owls will be presented in this slide-show, followed by a short outdoor "owl-prowl."

DISCOVER KVSP FAMILY NATURE HIKE
Saturday, January 23
11:00 AM - NOON
Family program - all ages. Never explored Kittatinny Valley State Park? This is your chance to take a naturalist-guided tour and learn all about this invaluable public treasure.

TRACKING THE MAMMALS OF NJ
Wednesday, January 27
3:30 - 4:30 PM
For adults and children ages 8-12. Learn about our wild furry neighbors by examining a variety of mammal pelts, skulls, bones, and teeth.

8th ANNUAL HOT CHOCOLATE HIKE/SNOWSHOE
Saturday, January 30
10:00 - NOON
For adults. Tired of being cooped up inside? Come to the park today for a brisk hike (or snowshoe) in the wild winter woods, then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Don't forget to bring your favorite mug (and snowshoes if needed)!

TRACKING THE MAMMALS OF NJ
Tuesday, February 2 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, February 4 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Saturday, February 6 10:00 - 11:30 AM
For adults and children ages 8-12. Learn about our wild furry neighbors by examining a variety of mammal pelts, skulls, bones, and teeth.

WILDFLOWERS IN WINTER
Wednesday, February 10 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Saturday, February 27 10:00 - 11:30 AM
For adults. Learn to identify the surprisingly beautiful remains of wildflowers by shape and form. Indoor presentation followed by a short walk, weather permitting.

WINTER WONDERS STORY HOUR
Thursdays, February 11 & 25
11:00 AM - NOON
For children ages 4 & 5. Share a fun-filled hour with your child and introduce them to nature's wonders by joining the park naturalist for stories and a craft!

OWLS: SILENT HUNTERS OF THE NIGHT
Wednesday, February 24
5:00 - 6:00 PM
For adults and children ages 8-12. Everything you ever wanted to know about owls will be presented during this indoor program, followed by a short outdoor "owl-prowl."

L'IL TYKES HIKE
Thursdays, March 4 & 18
4:00 - 5:00 PM
For children ages 5 & under. Naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Babies must be carried in a front-pack or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings please!

KITTATINNY CANINES DOG WALK
Saturdays, March 6 & 20
8:00 - 9:00 AM
For well-socialized dogs and their owners. Get outside with your "best friend" and learn about the park on this 1.5-mile walk. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times. Children must be accompanied by adults.

DISCOVER KVSP FAMILY NATURE HIKE
Saturday, March 6
11:00 AM - NOON
Family program - all ages. Never explored Kittatinny Valley State Park? This is your chance to take a naturalist-guided tour and learn all about this invaluable public treasure.

GREEN LIVING: HOW TO SAVE MONEY AND THE PLANET
Wednesday, March 17
11:00 AM - NOON
For adults. Find out how making green lifestyle choices will benefit you and your family.

SPRING EQUINOX HIKE
Saturday, March 20
10:00 AM - NOON
For adults. Spring has sprung! Join the park naturalist on a 4-mile hike through the park to rediscover the beauty of spring.

THE NATURE OF VERNAL POOLS
Tuesday, March 30 & Wednesday, March 31
4:00 - 5:30 PM
For adults and children ages 10-14. Vernal pools provide habitat for many rare species of plants and animals, yet they too have become an "endangered species" with encroaching development. We'll visit a vernal pool in the park to learn how we can help protect this unique and vital resource.

Additional Information
Lynn Groves Lussier
Resource Interpretive Specialist, Natural Resources
Kittatinny Valley State Park
P. O. Box 621
Andover, NJ 07821-0621
Phone: 973-786-6445
Fax: 973-786-6874
E-mail: kittatinnyvalley@earthlink.net
www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/kittval.html