Learn About Nature and Get Fit: Local Events

Looking for some free and low-cost ways to get out of the house and learn about the environment? Check out the following list of upcoming events taking place in and around the Essex County Environmental Center:

“Chair Yoga Series” is for adults. Whether you are new to yoga, are an older adult or know and love yoga but no longer get up and down from the floor easily, chair yoga may be for you! All poses are done seated or standing next to a chair. Participants will use breath to guide them through class and end with a relaxing meditation. All levels and ages welcome. Dress comfortably. Cost is $36 for the series or $28 for those 65 and older. Advance registration and monthly payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Chair Yoga Series will be held as follows:

Dates: Thursdays, March 12, 19 & 26, 2015

Time: 3 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Thursday Evening Yoga” is geared for adults. This all-levels yoga series will focus on alignment, flow and warmth followed by a restorative pose to unwind the body and mind for bed. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $30 for the series. Advance registration and monthly payment is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. No refunds will be given for missed classes. Thursday Evening Yoga is scheduled as follows:

Dates: Thursday, March 12 & 26, 2015

Time: 6:15 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Friday Morning Yoga” is geared for adults. This class will explore the many joys of yoga. Breathing synchronized with movement will warm the body and relax the mind. All levels are welcome. Join for the series or just one class. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $10 per class.Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Friday Morning Yoga is scheduled as follows:

Dates: Fridays, March 13, 20 & 27, 2015

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“New Jersey Audubon: Maple Sugaring” is for children ages 4 to 12 and their families. Participants will search for Sugar Maple trees, learn how trees are tapped, go through the process of “sugaring,” enjoy different types of maple sugar and make a sugar snack. Cost is $8 for NJA members and $10 for non-members. Advance registration is required. For information, call 908-766-5787. Minimum number of participants required. Minimum number of participants required. Maple Sugaring will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Monday Morning Yoga” is for adults. Each class will start with a short reading from a classical yogic text. The chosen verse (sutra) will guide participants throughout the class and in each posture, helping to deepen their understanding of yoga. All levels are welcome. Come weekly or for just one class. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Monday Morning Yoga will be held as follows:

Dates: Mondays, March 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2015

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Tuesday Afternoon Yoga with Meditation” is for adults. The focus of this class is on the many benefits of long-held, seated poses. Participants will lengthen tissues that connect, wrap and interweave muscles, helping to increase their range of motion and free up areas of limitation. They will cultivate a meditative state in each pose, as well as sit for a meditation at the end of class. All levels are welcome. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Tuesday Afternoon Yoga with Meditation will be held as follows:

Dates: Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2015

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Bug Club” is for children ages 6 to 10. The Bug Club is devoted to young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets year-round. Cost is $8 per child per session. Advance registration and payment are required. Minimum number of participants needed. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bug Club will meet as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Time: 4 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“4-H Environmental Kids Club” is for children in grades K through 8. The environment is filled with things, big and small, that are surprising and helpful. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For more information, call 973-353-1338, Ext. 109. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will meet as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Time: 4 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

Garibaldi Hall

621A Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Little Explorers Spring Nature Program” is for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. This class uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each week, a different nature or science topic is covered. In-person registration will take place on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Center Wednesday, December 3rd at 9 a.m. Cost is $9 per child/session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Little Explorers Nature Program will be held as follows:

Age: 2 year olds

Dates and Time: Wednesdays, March 11 & 25, 2015; 9:45 a.m.

Age: 3 year olds

Dates and Time: Fridays, March 13, 20 & 27, 2015; 11 a.m.

Ages: 4 and 5 year olds

Dates and Time: Wednesdays, March 11, 18 & 25, 2015, 1:30 p.m.

OR Fridays, March 13, 20 & 27, 2015, 1:30 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. This park is a fascinating place to view a variety of gulls, ducks, and geese, plus some woodland birds on their northward migration. All can be viewed along an easy trail around the lake. Enter on Meeker Avenue and meet at the Oval parking area. This is a free event. Please call 908-766-5787 or e-mail kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015

Time: 8 a.m.

Place: Essex County Weequahic Park

Meeker Avenue

Newark, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Hatfield Swamp” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Celebrate NJ Audubon’s Spring into Birding statewide birding event with a hike through this wooded wetland habitat. Early spring migrants, such as passerines and raptors, along with views of waterfowl will make this an exciting trip. Footing may be wet. Meet at the Stop & Shop in West Caldwell. Cost is $6 for NJA members and $8 for non-members. Please call 908-766-5787 or e-mail kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2015

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Meeting Site: Stop & Shop

875 Bloomfield Avenue

West Caldwell, NJ

“Spring Cleaning With Essential Oils” is for adults. Participants will discover why it is important to choose safe and non-toxic home cleaning supplies. Tips and tricks that will make your spring cleaning arsenal safe and effective while getting the benefits aromatherapy has to offer will be shared. The class will make their own all-purpose home cleaner to take home. Cost is $15. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils will be held as follows:

Dates: Saturday, March 14, 2015

Time: 12 Noon

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Horticulture for Seniors” is a specially designed class for senior citizens that is presented by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County. This month’s topic is Spring is in the Air. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. This is a free program. Advance registration is required one week prior to program. For information, call 973-379-5488 or 973-731-0717. Horticulture for Seniors will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, March 16, 2015

Time: 1 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

Garibaldi Hall

621A Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Spanish for Nature Lovers” is a 10-week course for adults. Learn to understand and speak Spanish with Tricia Idrobo, a New Jersey-certified Spanish teacher, in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere, using the themes of nature. This class is intended for those with little or no knowledge of Spanish and will cover basic vocabulary and grammatical structures. Be prepared to go outdoors for part of every class, weather permitting. Cost is $130 per person (includes material fee). Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration and pre-payment are required by March 13th. For information, call 973-228-8776. Spanish for Nature Lovers will meet as follows:

Dates: Tuesdays, March 17 through May 19, 2015

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Meditation Series for Beginners” is for adults. Do you want to start meditating but don’t know how to begin? Some of the many benefits are stress reduction, improved relationships and increased health. Each session will highlight a different meditation technique – visualization, sound and breath, give various hints and suggestions for establishing a regular practice and include some chair yoga postures. Come learn the basics and see how meditation can increase your appreciation for nature around you as well as the nature within you. Cost is $10 per adult per class or $25 for the series. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Meditation Series for Beginners will be held as follows:

Dates: Mondays, March 23 & 30 and April 6, 2015

Time: 6:45 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Frog Pond Science” is for children ages 5 to 9. Uncover and discover ecosystem interactions at the frog pond. Use nets, magnifiers, and microscopes to investigate what lives in and around the pond. Learn from a naturalist how to protect and conserve the pond’s inhabitants. Cost is $8 per child per session. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Frog Pond Science will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Time: 4 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“New Jersey Woodturners” is for adults. Learn to turn with the NJ Woodturners Association. Discover the wonders of creating art from found pieces of wood. Topics vary month to month. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per adult and free for NJWA members. For more information, call 973-228-8776. New Jersey Woodturners will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, March 23, 2015

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

Garibaldi Hall

621A Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Kids in the Kitchen Club” is for children ages 8 to 12. Does your child have an interest in cooking? If so, this club will transform his or her interest into new skills. Participants will make an array of foods, one dish per club meeting. All food will be prepared with healthy and tasty goals in mind. Some examples are pizza, cookies, kale chips, fresh apple sauce, and more! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per child per session (material fees included). Advance registration and payment are required. Minimum number of participants needed. For more information, call 973-228-8776. Kids in the Kitchen Club will meet as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Time: 3:45 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

Garibaldi Hall

621A Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Becker Farm” is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Explore both field and forest while enjoying beautiful vistas of the Passaic River Valley. Discover early spring migrants just arriving or stopping over in New Jersey. Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center. This is a free event. Please call 908-766-5787 or e-mail kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Meeting Site: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Energy Engineers: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Racer” is for children ages 8 through 12. Assemble a hydrogen fuel cell car and experiment with alternative energies. The unique charging technology will convert water to hydrogen fuel using electrolysis to operate cleanly and safely. Cost is $8 per child. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Racer will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015

Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Pruning around Your House” is for adults. Proper pruning enhances the beauty of almost any landscape, tree and shrub, while improper pruning can ruin or greatly reduce its landscape potential. Rutgers Master Gardeners will teach participants about the proper tools and methods of pruning trees and shrubs. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $10 per adult. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Pruning around Your House will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

Garibaldi Hall

621A Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Essential Oils of the Bible” is for adults. The Bible has over 600 references to essential oils and aromatic plants. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and only now has science developed the ability to learn about them on a cellular level. Discover why these oils have been so precious. Cost is $10. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Essential Oils of the Bible will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2015

Time: 12 Noon

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

“Spring Camp” is for children in grades 1 through 5. Restore the bond between children and nature. Children will have the opportunity to explore nature right here at the Essex County Environmental Center. Cost is $120 per child for all three days OR $50 per child/per day. Minimum number of participants required. Advance registration and payment are required. For more details, call 973-228-8776. Spring Camp will be held as follows:

Dates and Times: Tuesday, March 31; Wednesday, April 1; Thursday, April 2

12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

OR Tuesday, April 7; Wednesday, April 8; Thursday, April 9 12:30 to 4:30pm

Place: Essex County Environmental Center

621B Eagle Rock Avenue

Roseland, NJ

Registration is required for all programs at the Essex County Environmental Center, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, please call 973-228-8776.