January 1, 2012 - New Year"s Day Beach Walk
NJ: 11 a.m. at the Society"s headquarters (Building 18) on Sandy Hook - after a brisk walk to the tip of the Hook return to the builidng for hot chocolate or cider and a hot dog. We appreciate all holiday finger desserts you would like to share.
NY: 11 a.m. Fort Tilden or Jones Beach, West End (2 parking lot) or 10 a.m. Fire Island Lighthouse. All locations Free
January 21, 2012 - Winter Seal and Waterfowl Walk
Bring your binoculars and join us on a trek to coastal estuaries and ponds for a look at the seals and waterfowl. Meet at 10 a.m., Building 18, Sandy Hook. Afterwards, return to the Society and warm up with snacks and toasty beverages. Call to reserve - we need a head count. Cost: $5 per Person
March 20, 2012 - Spring Equinox Walk on Sandy Hook
Called the equinox because it"s one of two days in the year when daylight and darkness agree to equally share the 24 hours in a day. Meet at 6 p.m. at Guardian Park (site of 2 missiles on the lawn - Fort Hancock Historic District). Cost: Free - Please call so we have a headcount
March 31, 2012 - Manasquan Reservoir Walk
Bring your binoculars and walking shoes for a 5-mile hike around the Manasq2uan Reservoir. We will search for nesting bald eagles and winter waterfowl. Cost: $5 per Person
April 28, 2012 - Holly Forest Exploration
Some of the oldest American holly trees in the country can be found among Sandy Hook"s nearly 300 acres of holly forest. We will hike through the restricted 64-acre maritime forest area and get to see an undisturbed holly forest with some of its oldest, rarest, and largest trees. Waterproof footwear is recommended. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Sandy Hook Visitor"s Center. Cost: $5 per Adult - Children under 12 free.
May 4, 2012 - Pine Barrens Canoe Trip
Take a leisurely canoe trip down the Wading River as your guides point out different plants and birds seen along the way. You will need to bring your lunch and a drink in an air-tight bag for the trip. Send you email address or a SASE for details. Meet at 9 a.m. Chatsworth, NJ. Cost: $25 Member -- $40 Non-Member
May 12, 2012 - Surf Fishing Clinic at Sandy Hook
Join Jeff Dement, Tagging Director, for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach. The basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and "reading" a beach will be covered. Under 18 are welcome with a supervising adult. Meet at 8 a.m. Society headquarters and bring your lunch. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided. Cost: $20 Member/Family -- $40 Non-Member/Family
May 19, 2012 - Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs
We will meet at 9 a.m. in Cape May where thousands of Red Knots and other shore birds flock every spring. Why? Because the horseshoe crabs are here! Join us to learn about the Red Knot and the ancient animal that is crucial to this threatened shore bird"s survival. Cost: Call the end of April or beginning of May for price/details
May 31, 2012 - Horseshoe Crab Walk
Get up close and personal with a living fossil. Take an evening walk at Plum Island on Sandy Hook to look for spawning horseshoe crabs. Wear foot gear that can get wet. Great for families. Meet at 7 p.m. Parking Lot B, Sandy Hook. Cost: Free, Call to reserve and get directions
June 20, 2012 - Summer Solstice Walk on Sandy Hook
The longest day of the year. Meet at 7 p.m. at Guardian Park for a stroll on the Hook. You can also bring a dinner, sit on the Society"s front porch and enjoy the sunset beforehand. A special tour inside a gun battery may be included. Cost: Free, Call to reserve
June 23, 2012 - Sunset Eco-Cruise on Barnegat Bay
Our third year cruising Barnegat Bay aboard the "Flipper". Helen Henderson, Atlantic Coast Project Manager, will speak about the issues affecting one of NJ"s vital bay areas and the work the Society is doing there. You will get a chance to visit a salt marsh, see plenty of wildlife, and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Boat leaves promptly at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $30 per Person
July 12 & 26, 2012 - Family Night - A Seining Adventure
An education for all who attend, but especially for children. After a short talk on the Society"s front porch, you will head over to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook to do some old-fashioned seining. Children are invited to help pull the nets in , and experience the fun of seeing a wide variety of critters caught. Meet at 6 p.m. on the porch of Building 18. Cost: $10 per Member Family -- $25 per Non-Member Family
Sea Coast Summer Camps
Treat yhour kids to a week of learning and fun with our educator, Stevie Thorsen, this summer. The camp will feature our SeaQuest marine and environmental science curriculum which has been successfully used in New Jersey after school enrichment programs for the past 5 years. this summer, kids entering grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 can participate in outdoor field-based learning about coastal habitats, wildlife, and human impacts on them. Cost: $250 for the week includes materials, supplies, and snacks.
July 16-20 Barnegat Bay--Harvey Cedars, LBI
July 30/August 3 Sandy Hook, August 6-10 Sandy Hook, August 20-24 Sandy Hook
July 24, 2012 - Seine the Navesink
Meet at 6 p.m. at Hartshorne Woods. After a short hike through the woods, we will stop along the shore of the Navesink River. We invite you to help us pull our seine net through the water in search of the critters that live beneath the surface. Afterwards, we will walk to one of the highest points on the NJ coast for a bird"s eye view of the Shnrewsbury and Navesink Rivers, Sandy Hook, and the Atlantic Ocean. Cost: $10 per Member Family -- $25 per Non-Member Family
July 29, 2012 - Fluke Tagging Trip
Join our fish tagging director for a day of summer flounder (fluke) fishing and tagging. The boat departs from Atlantic Highlands municipal marina at 7 a.m. All tackle, bait, and tags will be provided. Advnace payment is required. Space is limited. Contact jeff@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055 ext 106 for reservations and information. Payment secures your place on the boat. Cost: $75 per Member -- $110 per Non-Member
August 9 & 23, 2012 - Family Night
See our July write up for details for August.
August 25, 2012 - Shore Birds and Wild Edibles
Meet at 9 a.m., Parking Lot M, Sandy Hook to journey down a sandy trail to one of the least visited beaches at Sandy Hook. Along the way we will identify some of the Hook"s edible plants that were an iportant food source for early settlers and the Lenni-Lenape Indians that once inhabited this area. Once we reach the end of the trail (and the tip of Sandy Hook), we will observe unique shore birds feeding on the mud flats. Afterwards head up to the hawk watch platform for a birds-eye view of the Hook. Bring your binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, and lots of sunscreen! Cost: $5 per Person
August 25, 2012 - Cohansey River Fest
This fun-filled day on one of the Delaware Bayshore"s gems includes 2 events led by the Society"s Delaware Bayshore Program.
Cohansey River Kayak Trip -- Kayak down the wild and scenic Cohansey River with the Society and Natural Lands Trust, and see why this river boasts the highest concentration of active bald eagle nests in NJ. The kayak trip is about 3.5 milrs long. RSVP is required. Space is limited. Please email jessica@littoralsociety.org or call 856-825-2174 to reserve. A knowledge of kayaking is required. Cost: $35 per Person w/rental or $15 per Person w/kayak
Eco-Gems Bus Tour -- Joins us on a guided bus tour through scenic Hopewell and Greenwich Townships exploring the rich history, wildlife, and natural beauty of the Lower Cohansey River Watershed. Cost: $5 per Person -- two trips available: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Meet at the Bridgeton boat ramp off Broad St, Rt. 49
September 15, 2012 - Kids Day at Sandy Hook
For kids ages 4 to 8 and their parents. Gather at 1:30 p.m. at Building 18 for a brief description of Sandy Hook natural history and seining for fish. Next travel to the bay side for an hour of seining and fish identification. Kids are invited to help pull the net. Return to Bldg. 18 for "Fishy Fun" where the kids learn the ancient art of Japanese fish painting (using rubber fish and non-toxic paint). Each child goes home with their own personl fish print. Cost: $5 per Child
September 22, 2012 - Fall Equinox Walk
The other equinox, if we can find an egg we"ll try again to stand it on its end. Egg or no egg the beach is beautiful in the fall. A great excuse for a walk through Sandy Hook. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Guardian Park. Cost: Free - Call to reserve
September 29, 2012 - Sunset Eco-Cruise on Barnegat Bay
Join us in the fall for another cruise on Barnegat Bay. We will experience some different sights than the June trip. Birds will be migrating, and the look of the marshes will have changed. One of the changes will be the time - 6 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m. Cost: $30 per Person
October 6, 2012 - Delaware River Canoe/Kayak Trip
Join the weekend group on their first day at Dingman"s Ferry, PA for a trip down the Delaware, stopping off for lunch (bring your own) at one of the islands. Cost: $25 per Member -- $40 per Non-Member
October 19, 2012 - Spooky Tales/Ghosts of Historic Fort Hancock
Meet at 7:30 p.m. Building 18. More information in the spring.
November 3, 2012 - Surf Fishing Clinic at Sandy Hook
Join Society staff for a day of surf fishings basics. Read our May 12 write-up for more particulars.
November 2012 - Bear Swamp Old-Growth Forest
Date to be announced. Your chance to hike parts of a 1400-acre preserve not open to the general public. Join Matt Blake, our South Jersey director, and a guide from the Natural Lands Trust for a trip to one of the oldest old-growth forests in the northeast. Contact Jessica at 856-825-2174 or email - jessica@littoralsociety.org for more information and signing up. Cost: $10 Members/$20 Non-Members