Week of 3/24/2025 - 3/31/2025
PVTC Quarterly Meeting
Kittatinny Valley State Park, KVSP Administration Bldg.
25-Mar 7 PM
Description: Presentation by Christine Dunbar and David de Wit of the Foodshed Alliance : "Paulins Kill Rail Trail Then and Now" As the railroads of old opened the Paulins Kill valley to industrial and agricultural development, today the same corridors bring the recreational future to the watershed, Using drone videos that follow the river, we will explore the past and present status of the of the growing importance of the Paulins Kill Rail Trail to the future quality of life for both residents and visitors to the Valley Refreshments will be served
Age: all
Call (973) 324-0429 or email pbk123@aol.com for more information. Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
Wednesday Walkers
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center Parking lot
26-Mar 9 AM
Description: 2.5-mile social walk on fairly flat, scenic trails through the park
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
Sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots and 2 hiking poles are recommended, as are "The Ten Essentials": https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/gear/the-10-essentials-revisited/
Kit & Caboodle Book Club
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center
27-Mar 2PM
Description: Book discussion group for avid readers and bibliophiles. No monthly reading requirements! BYOTea and favorite reads past or present.
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
Come prepared to talk about a favorite book you've read lately; book swapping is encouraged; BYOTea/coffee
Paws in Park
Spruce Run Recreation Area, Tower Lot
27-Mar 9 AM
Description: Joyful dog walk around the scenic Spruce Run Reservoir Day Use Area.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Call 908-638-8572 or email maria.naccarato@dep.nj.gov
Bring Dog, Leash, Doggy Poop Bag
Homeschool Hike: Vernal Ponds
High Point State Park, TBA
28-Mar 10 AM
Description: March in northwestern New Jersey is tricky. If the weather cooperates, we'll be traveling to an area with a cluster of vernal ponds that we will explore. We’ll look for evidence of the frogs and salamanders that emerge from hibernation early spring and for other signs of the changing season. These walks are an opportunity for homeschoolers to get fresh air and exercise while socializing with their peers and learning about nature and history along the way.
Age: 6 and up
Call (973) 875-1471 or email highpointprograms@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Pre-registration required at https://highpointstatepark.eventbrite.com
These walks will cover about one mile or less over easy to moderate terrain. You'll want to dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear.
Wildlife of Pakim Pond
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Pakim Pond
29-Mar 10 AM
Description: Come learn all about the ecosystem around Pakim Pond and the diverse wildlife it supports! This half-mile hike is perfect for all ages!
Age: all ages
Please call (609) 726-1191 or email finn.westphal@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Please bring a water bottle, proper clothing, and hiking boots.
Seed Swap
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
29-Mar 12 PM
Description: Bring seeds to exchange or just come to pick up some knowledge from our experienced gardeners and ecologists. Learn all about companion planting as well!
Age: all ages
Week of 4/1/2025 - 4/6/2025
The Historic Trilogy
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
2-Apr 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation and discussion about the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and CRRNJ Terminal, and the roles they played in immigration.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the giant flag on the steps inside the CRRNJ Terminal building located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking in Lot #9.
Concord’s Fight: Gen. Francis Barlow as Chief Marshall of the Concord Centennial, 1875
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, Virtual
2-Apr 7 PM
Description: Ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington & Concord in April 2025, Francis C. Barlow historian and author Andrea M. Quinn shares the story of the contested memory of the Revolutionary War and Gen. Barlow’s role in “Concord’s Fight” in this virtual lecture from Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Register in MS Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OGFhMTgwNGMtMWI1Yy00NTU3LTgzODAtOGYxMTNhOTRhM2Zj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%225076c3d1-3802-4b9f-b36a-e0a41bd642a7%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22381a5718-599b-49fc-92df-b6f8dc0ceb56%22%7d
Hike to Caven Point
Liberty State Park, 300 Morris Pesin Drive
5-Apr 11 AM
Description: A guided walk to Caven Point Beach to look for winter animals and take in the unique views of the New York Harbor
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors, wear shoes comfortable for walking, and bring binoculars if you have them. The walk is 1 1/2 miles round trip, so be sure all participants are comfortable walking this distance.
Volunteer Day
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
5-Apr 10 AM
Description: Come out and join our volunteers in outdoor or indoor projects in the village. You can choose from helping to clear trails and garden paths or helping to organize our office cottage supplies for events! Both get you lunch in the General Store classroom and time to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings!
Age: ages 13 and up
Bring your own shears/loppers.
Village Tour
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
5-Apr 1 PM
Description: Walk the Historic Village trails, learn about Whitesbog's role in history and visit Suningive, the worker's cottage and other museums & landscapes that speak to Whitesbog's heritage.
Age: all ages
10$ FEE, purchase ticket through Facebook @Whitebogs Preservation Trust
Sunday Stroll
Cheesequake State Park, Trail Head Parking Lot
6-Apr 10 AM
Description: Join our park naturalist on a scenic stroll to explore the resident plants and animals along our red trail. The walk will be about 1.5 miles going over moderate terrain, including some stairs.
Age: all ages
Please call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Please Register Here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Please bring water and wear sturdy footwear.
CHOCOLATE! In the 18th Century
Rockingham State Historic Site, Rockingham Barn
6-Apr 10 AM
Description: Heart to Hearth Cookery will demonstrate cacao bean processing in the 1700s with attendees participating; slide program and display of chocolate-related equipment.
Age: ages 10 and up. Free, donations welcome!
Pre-registration required. Call 609-683-7132 or email rockingham1783@dep.nj.gov.
Paul Revere's Read
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
6-Apr 2 PM
Description: Gather in the Old Dutch Parsonage for a reading and discussion of the poetry and history of “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “the short heard round the world” that 250 years ago opened the Revolutionary War.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Answer the Call for Action of Two Lights for Tomorrow and consider bringing a donation of supplies needed for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County: https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/about/give-supplies/
Week of 4/7/2025 - 4/13/2025
Trail of the Blue Comet
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
9-Apr 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation and discussion about the famous Blue Comet train, followed by a walk to the original tracks where the Blue Comet ran from.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the giant flag on the steps inside the CRRNJ Terminal building located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking in Lot #9
Bike Ride
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Warbasse Junction Parking Area
12-Apr 11:30 AM
Description: The length of the ride will be 17 miles, (round trip), unless a majority of the group chooses to ride less or more. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, level biking.
Age: all
Call (973) 887-4332 or email paul_rottmann@hotmail.com for more information. Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
Bring your helmet, lunch, and a drink. Parking area is on Warbasse Junction Road 1/2 mile South of intersection with Route 94. GPS Coordinates: 41.085293, -74.699741 See Meetup announcement for detailed directions.
Volunteer Natural Area Cleanup
Liberty State Park, 200 Morris Pesin Drive
12-Apr 11 AM
Description: Looking for volunteer opportunities? Lend a hand with the Friends of LSP at the Richard J. Sullivan Natura Area by removing trash that has come in with the tides.
Age: all ages
Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to work outdoors, wear sturdy shoes, and bring work gloves if you have them. Parking is available in Lot #4. The program is co-sponsored by the Friends of Liberty State Park. Rain date Sunday, April 13th.
Whitesbog Craft & Book Fair
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
12-Apr 10 AM
Description: Authors will share their publications, book sale of used and new books. A day full of hands-on displays and demos from the Viking Age through Elizabethan times and onto the history of Whitesbog itself! Come spend the day with us and lose yourself in the world of books!
Age: all ages
Moonlight Walk
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
12-Apr 7 PM
Description: Listen to the sounds of the night in the Pines, learn about Whitesbog's and experience the seasonal changes of the Pinelands. The hike is 3-5 miles in length.
Age: all ages
$10 FEE, purchase tickets through Facebook @Whitebogs Preservation Trust. Weather Permitting.
Bird Hike
Round Valley Recreation Area, South Lot Overlook
13-Apr 9 AM
Description: Join Naturalists Alan and Barbara for a guided bird walk at Round Valley Recreation Area. Meet at the South Parking Lot at 9:00am and check out the birds that congregate on the coast, perch in the pine forest, and splash around in the swimming area.
Age: all ages
Please call (908) 236-2355 or email Roundvalley@dep.nj.gov
Bring binoculars and water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy footwear; the coastline is fairly rocky.
Whitesbog Craft & Book Fair
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
13-Apr 10 AM
Description: Authors will share their publications, book sale of used and new books. A day full of hands-on displays and demos from the Viking Age through Elizabethan times and onto the history of Whitesbog itself! Come spend the day with us and lose yourself in the world of books!
Age: all ages
Week of 4/14/2025 - 4/20/2025
Tales from the Morris Canal
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
16-Apr 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation and discussion about the historic Morris Canal, followed by, weather permitting, a walk to what remains of the canal today.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the giant flag on the steps inside the CRRNJ Terminal building located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking in Lot #9.
Spring Bloom Hike
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Reeve's Bogs
19-Apr 10 AM
Description: Join us on a 2-mile hike around Reeve's Bogs and experience the first signs of spring in a beautiful mix of all the different environments that the Pine Barrens has to offer!
Age: all ages
Please call (609) 726-1191 or email finn.westphal@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Mudboots are recommended, especially after stormy weather. Directions to the meeting location at Reeve's Bogs can be found on the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest facebook page.
Paul Revere's Walk
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
19-Apr 2 PM
Description: Join a leisurely three mile walk along Somerville’s Peters Brook with stops for reading and discussion of the poetry and history of “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “the shot heard round the world” that 250 years ago opened the Revolutionary War.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Answer the Call for Action of Two Lights for Tomorrow and consider bringing a donation of supplies needed for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County: https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/about/give-supplies/
Easter Eggstravaganza
Whitesbog’s Village, General Store
19-Apr 11 AM
Description: Join us for an egg scavenger hunt that will take you all around the village on an exploration, you may even end up on nearby trails on your epic quest! Crafts will be in the General Store.
Age: ages 3-10
Sunday Stroll
Cheesequake State Park, Trail Head Parking Lot
20-Apr 10 AM
Description: Join our park naturalist on a scenic stroll to explore the resident plants and animals along our red trail. The walk will be about 1.5 miles going over moderate terrain, including some stairs.
Age: all ages
Please call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Please Register Here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Please bring water and wear sturdy footwear.
Paul Revere's Read
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
20-Apr 2 PM
Description: Gather in the Old Dutch Parsonage for a reading and discussion of the poetry and history of “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “the short heard round the world” that 250 years ago opened the Revolutionary War.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Answer the Call for Action of Two Lights for Tomorrow and consider bringing a donation of supplies needed for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County: https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/about/give-supplies/
Week of 4/21/2025 - 4/27/2025
Celebrate Trails Day! Hike
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Blairstown Airport
26-Apr 10 AM
Description: The hike will be three to four miles. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, walking.
Age: adults
Call (973) 324-0429 or email pbk123@aol.com for more information. Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
Bring a drink. Parking area is at Blairstown Airport on Lambert Road, approximately one mile East of Route 94. GPS Coordinates: 40.970082, -74.995344 See Meetup announcement for detailed directions. (Please park at far edge of parking lot away from the building)
Nature’s Canvas
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
26-Apr 10 AM
Description: Express your natural side as you get to meet one of nature's creatures up close and personal, and paint/sketch your very own work of art to take home with you.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Nature Center located at 275 Freedom Way. Free parking is available in Lot #6, across the street from the center.
Sensational Sea Glass
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
27-Apr 11 AM
Description: A workshop to learn about the history of sea glass and a beach walk to collect samples to make our own sea glass art.
Age: ages 8 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. Free parking is available in Lot #6, across the street from the center.
Colonial Crossroads in the Old Dutch Garden: African and European Music Meet
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
27-Apr 2 PM
Description: Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes present music of early America at the intersection of Africa and Europe featuring Pinkster, the Dutch and African Dutch celebration of spring.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for this outdoors springtime concert in the Old Dutch Garden. Imagine the restoration of the Old Dutch Garden as part of Revitalization of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites “Down the Brook” with the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association and Somerville Environmental Commission. Answer the Call for Action of Two Lights for Tomorrow and consider bringing a donation of supplies needed for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County: https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/about/give-supplies/
Week of 4/28/2025 - 4/30/2025
Trail of the Blue Comet
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
30-Apr 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation about the history Black Tom and the events leading up to the explosion, followed by a drive to the Black Tom site.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet outside the Blue Comet Auditorium inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking available in Lot #9, across the street. You will need your own transportation to get to the Black Tom site.
Official Site of The State of New Jersey
