190 Lord Stirling Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ
908 766-2489

Special Events
Annual events at the Environmental Education Center provide the general public with a wide array of fun-filled and educational experiences.

Project E.A.R.T.H
EARTH: Environment, Awareness, Responsibility, Teaching, and Hope - the new special event at the Environmental Education Center! See fine nature artwork, meet some live wild animals, and learn about the environment in which you live. Experts in various fields will share information about current environmental topics such as global warming, recycling, composting, and habitat restoration projects. Find out how you can make a difference protecting your environment and how your actions have a global impact. Hands-on activities for children.
Meet Patriots Mascot Sparkee from 10:30 to 2.
Rain or Shine!
$4 per person suggested donation
Sunday, April 25, 2010
10:30am-4:30pm

THE COUNTY CAPER - It's Not Just A Game...It's an Adventure!
The County Caper Family & Friends Program- August 21 and 22, 2010  ‹ click here for flier
(All Ages)
This exciting event is a perfect ending for your family’s summer. We hope you take the challenge and explore Somerset County Parks and what they have to offer.
The County Caper Adults Only - August 21, 2010  ‹ click here for flier
(Adults Only, 18 and older)
Get ready physically and mentally for this “Accelerated” version of The County Caper. Are you ready for the challenge?
The County Caper is a two day game that take families and friends to ans interactive tour of Somerst County Parks and facilities. It is designed to encourage everyone to explore, learn and protect our parks and other natural areas. August 22, 2009 kicks-off this special event open to everyone with a yearning to discover all Somerset County has to offer. For more information and to register by August 16th: Environmental Education Center 908-766-2489, Ext. 334 or 335.
FREE
August 21 & 22, 2010

The Lord Stirling 1770s Festival
Colonial history lives at the Somerset County Park Commission's annual 1770s Festival when Lord Stirling's grand manor house and estate come to life in Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, NJ. Colonial craftspeople ply their trades and a Revolutionary War military detachment camp on the former estate lawns and conduct maneuvers. The event promotes historical and environmental education by familiarizing people with the rich local history of Basking Ridge, highlighting an unsung Revolutionary War hero, demonstrating the colonial heritage of New Jersey, and recreating a typical autumn afternoon in 1770. In 2006, the Lord Stirling 1770s Festival won the Cultural and History Commission of Somerset County History Award for Education. Period re-enactors attired in replicas of 1770s clothing participate in the festival demonstrating their trades and crafts (no crafts are sold). These crafts people make articles such as buttons, rifles, brooms, furniture, lace, stained glass, redware pottery, and powder horns. Other trades and crafts include a blacksmith, tinsmith, wool spinning, decoy carving, and colonial herbs. Children of all ages enjoy the hayrides, clay crafts using Stirling clay, stenciling, and toy making. Visitors may try on colonial costumes and have their photograph taken while restrained to the Somerset Gaoler's wooden stock.
$4 per person suggested donation
Sunday, October 3, 2010
10:30am - 4:30pm

The Nature of Halloween
(Limited to ages 3-6 with parent)
Calling all ghosts, pirates, and scarecrows to a fun and informative Halloween stroll on the boardwalk at the Environmental Education Center. Led by a guide, children and their parents will walk shadowy paths to meet and learn about misunderstood, but very important animals, such as a sly fox, a splendid skunk, and buzzy bee. Come dressed in costume for added fun!
Tickets must be purchased in advance. They are not available at door on the night of the program. Walk is approxomately 45 to 60 minutes in length.
Limited to ages 3-6 with parent
$4 per person
Friday-Sunday, October 22-24, 2010
5:45pm-7:30pm
The walk is approximately 45 to 60 minutes in length. Halloween Night Walks are appropriate for children three through six years of age. Please do not bring children outside of this age range.

Maple Sugaring
Maple sugaring is a tradition in the Northeast that began centuries ago with the Native Americans and colonists. People of all ages are invited to see this tradition brought to life at the Environmental Education Center (EEC). You will see how trees are tapped, view sap-collecting methods past and present, and see the boiling process that produces delicious New Jersey maple syrup. This 90-minute program is conducted at our Sugar Shack, a ½-mile hike from the EEC. Please arrive at the EEC 20-30 minutes before the program start time. Organized groups (such as schools) may schedule weekday demonstrations by calling the EEC at 908 766-2489 ext. 332.
FREE
January 23, 24, 30, 31
February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 2010
10:00am, Noon, and 2:00pm

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Family Program Series

What Big Teeth You Have!
Meet some live wild animals who use tooth and claw to survive. Travis Gale from Eyes of the Wild tells amazing stories about how some of his furry friends find prey and escape from becoming prey for other predators. You will be fascinated by these resourceful and adaptable creatures. A fun event for the whole family!
Suggested donation: $4 per person
Sunday, March 7, 2010
2:00pm-3:00pm

Raptors Live!
Meet a live Raptor from The Raptor Trust for a program about these fascinating birds of prey. The GNSI-GNY artists who provided an extraordinary display of raptor artwork on exhibit at the EEC from September 3 through October 13 will also join us to talk about their art, their fascinating subjects, and the special techniques they use to capture their exciting subjects on paper.
FREE
Saturday, October 9, 2010
1:00pm-2:30pm
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Exhibits

Nature Through a Child’s Eye
This annual children’s environmental art exhibit features Somerset County kindergartners through sixth graders who have expressed their love of our natural world, our environment, and our Earth through their artwork.
FREE
Saturday, January 2 through Sunday, February 7, 2010
9:00am-4:30pm except holidays

Seedpods and Arthropods
Ridge High School’s AP Studio Art class explored seedpod form and structure in large-scale charcoal drawings. The seedpod drawings developed into a second project using blue point crabs, squid, crawfish, and dried shrimp as a reference for a collaborative double sided painting. The students pushed the concept of “pods” in a unique format experimenting with materials to create great artwork!
FREE
Thursday, February 11 through Sunday, March 14, 2010
9:00am–4:30pm except holidays

The Art of Nature Show
The Art of Nature Show is a month long exhibit of fine nature artwork leading to our Project E.A.R.T.H. event. See some of the finest wildlife and nature artwork from around the world as seen through the eyes of local artists.
FREE
Monday, March 22 through Monday, April 26, 2010
9:00am–4:30pm except holidays

Earth from Space
The Earth from Space exhibit in the form of 20 posters shows remote sensing images taken from satellites circling the planet. Satellite imagery provides a unique and educational look at our rapidly changing world. The Earth from Space exhibit is courtesy of the United States Geological Survey and the Smithsonian Institution.
FREE
Saturday, May 1 through Friday, June 11, 2010
9:00am–5:00pm except holidays

Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit
See winning artwork from the 2010 Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. Students from throughout the U.S. compete each year within their state, territory or district and the winners compete nationally. Thirty-six 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place paintings will be on display from the K – 3, 4 – 6, 7 – 9, and 10 – 12 grade categories. The subjects are all North American waterfowl species.
FREE
Friday, September 3 through Thursday, September 30, 2010
9:00am–5:00pm except holidays

Birds of Prey of the Eastern United States
Art Exhibit
Birds of prey have always occupied a special place in the human imagination, defining civilizations though mythology, art, literature, and symbolism. Eagles are often used to symbolize power, falcons denote speed and freedom, and owls are equated with wisdom. The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators – Greater New York Chapter (GNSI-GNY) interpret these magnificent wild birds as they really are depicting the wonder and natural beauty that can be found in their world. The Guild of Natural Science illustrators is a non-profit organization that strives to further the professional field of natural science art and illustration. The Guild’s artwork is on tour through out the Northeast.

The GNSI-GNY artists will join the Raptors Live! program on October 9 to discuss their artwork. (See description under the Raptors Live! program listed in the Family Program Series
section.)
FREE
Friday, September 3 through Saturday, October 9, 2010
9:00am–5:00pm except holidays

Workshop

Earth Day Nature’s Way – Digital Photography Workshop
Create your own Earth Day celebration with expert photographers from the Camera Naturalist Photography Club for an educational hands-on workshop. Learn techniques for capturing nature up close, proper use of flash, and enhancing photographs with Photoshop. The program includes a morning field workshop and afternoon computer workshop. Bring your own digital camera. Computer and card reader will be provided for the afternoon.
Pre-registration required.
$45 per person
Course Code: 51443

Trips

Cross-country Ski Trip at Lapland Lakes
(Family and Friends ages 12 and older)
Learn to ski on a four-day cross-country ski trip to rustic Lapland Lakes Cross-Country Ski Center in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Trip includes three nights’ accommodations in rustic cabins, four breakfasts, three dinners, and unlimited use of groomed, wooded trails around Lapland Lake. Snowshoeing, winter hikes, and friendly Naturalists will also make this a trip to remember. Space is limited. Call to request a brochure with more detailed information. Please note: the rustic rooming and accommodations are shared by the trip participants. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
$500 (a $150 non-refundable deposit is required at registration)
Registration deadline: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Course Code: 50907

Library

The Center houses a comfortable, user-friendly resource library. Approximately 2,500 books, and a variety of periodicals regarding the many facets of our environment are available during regular building hours. A wide range of children’s environmental books and magazines are also available.

The library has tables and chairs for on-site research and reading. Because it is a resource library, not a lending library, all materials must remain on-site. (top of page)

Trails

Eight and one-half miles of relatively flat trails meander through 435 acres of The Great Swamp, of which approximately three miles are boardwalked. They are open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Cattails and sedges are found as you wander the boardwalks in the freshwater marsh. Along the Yellow Trail that takes you close to the Passaic River, the seasonally inundated floodplain is home to Pin Oak, Red Maple, and Ash. Along the southern perimeter of the park (the Blue and Red trails) succession is slowly changing abandoned farm fields to woodland. In these areas, wildflowers and shrubs mingle with grasses and saplings and provide homes for many birds, mammals, and insects.

The Special Use Trail (SUT) travels between the Center and Branta Pond. It is an easily accessible boardwalk trail for those who are looking for a short walk or for those with limiting abilities. It has a recently renovated Native Plant Garden, herb gardens, and a pleasant gazebo in which to sit and enjoy the surrounds.

Trail maps are available at the front desk or in PDF format by clicking here. Be sure to check out the kiosks at the trailhead and at the "dike" on the Red trail for seasonal information! (top of page)

Natural History Book and Gift Shop

A favorite stop for those looking for that special gift for a favorite outdoors friend, baby and children gifts, a special piece of jewelry or pottery, or maybe just a great book to add to one’s own personal book collection. A variety of  "must have’s" for all ages are located in the main floor lobby gift shop.

The selection changes on an on-going basis and many pieces are limited in number. Best to visit regularly or with specific requests, call 908 766-2489 ext. 322. (top of page)

Room Rentals

Room rentals are available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis to groups and organizations with an environmentally related mission or agenda.

For more information or to book a room, please call Jane Bodnar at 908 766-2489 ext. 323

E-mail the EEC with any questions or comments.(top of page)

 PROGRAM OFFERINGS
    • Program Registration Information & Locations
    • Educational Public Programs for Children
    • Educational Public Programs for Adults & Families
    • Garden Discovery Tours
    • Canoe & Kayak Programs & Trips
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Birthday Parties
    • School Group Programs
    • Scouts/Other Group Programs
    • Maple Sugaring

 PARK FEATURES
    • Special Events
    • Exhibits
    • Workshops
    • Family Program Series
    • Trips
    • Library
    • Trails
    • Natural History Book & Gift Shop
    • Room Rental

African Safari photos
(view with windows media or real player)