Bear Swamp Old-Growth Forest in South Jersey March 7, 2010 CANCELED DUE TO FLOODING
Your chance to hike parts of a 1400 acre preserve not open to the general public. Join us and a guide from the Natural Lands Trust for a trip to one of the oldest old-growth forests in the northeast. Learn more
$15 FOR MEMBERS,
$20 FOR NON-MEMBERS
Spring Equinox Shore Walk on Sandy Hook March 20
(With the Park Service)
Called the equinox because it’s one of two days in the year when daylight and darkness have agreed to equally share the 24 hours in a day. According legend, on the equinox, you can balance a raw egg on its end. Truth or myth? Who knows for sure? We know for sure that it’s a great day for an early evening walk on Sandy Hook Meet at 7 p.m. at Guardian Park in Sandy Hook. Call to reserve, we need a headcount.
FREE - Call to reserve
Coastal Day (formerly members day) May 1
We used to call it Member’s Day, a traditional annual event open only to members. But now we’re inviting non-members to join us as well.. Come on out and get a feel for the love of nature and the camaraderie that Littoral Society members and staff share. Join us for a day of fun and learning - catch up on our recent successes and the continuing threats to the coast, explore Sandy Hook"s unique environment with our expert naturalists. Plenty of activities for kids of all ages. A special "issues" session with Society staff. Bring a picnic lunch, lawn chairs, blankets, etc. More details will be posted on our web site in early April. Rain date Sunday, May 2nd. Meet at the Littoral Society Headquarters at 10am.
$5 per person.
Children 12 and under are free
Holly Forest Exploration May 8
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 holly trees. Waterproof foot ware is recommended.
Meet at the Sandy Hook Visitors Center at 10am.
$5 PER ADULT
Children under 12 free.
Surf Fishing Clinic at Sandy Hook May 9
Join Society staff for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach at Sandy Hook. We will cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and "reading" a beach. All skill levels will be accommodated. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 years of age are wel¬come with a supervising adult. Space is lim¬ited, so call ahead for reservations and directions.
$20 PER FAMILY/individual
$40 FOR NON-MEMBER FAMILIES
Surf Fishing Clinic at Sandy Hook May 15
Join Society staff for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach at Sandy Hook. We will cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and "reading" a beach. All skill levels will be accommodated. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 years of age are wel¬come with a supervising adult. Space is lim¬ited, so call ahead for reservations and directions.
$20 PER FAMILY/individual
$40 FOR NON-MEMBER FAMILIES
Horseshoe Crab Walk (Navesink River, Rumson) May 27
Get up close and personal with a living fossil. Take an evening walk alongside the scenic Navesink River to look for spawning horseshoe crabs. Learn about an animal that has survived virtually unchanged for 400 million years. Wear foot gear that can get wet. Great for families.
7:30 p.m. Call for location.
Free.
Native Plant Workshop, Plant Sale, and Garden Planting June 5
Learn how you can improve the health of Barnegat Bay with native plantings in your own back yard. Speaker will focus on plants native to our coast and we will offer a variety of native plants onsite for purchase. Attendees will have the opportunity to assist in the creation of a native plant demonstration garden on the grounds of the Wannamaker Complex! The Littoral Society’s Shore Steward program was developed to encourage citizens to better care New Jersey’s fragile coastal environment; using native plants in our yards and gardens is one way to do that.
Meet at 10:00 a.m.
Wannamaker Complex, Island Heights
$5 per person
Summer Solstice Walk June 21
(With the Park Service)
The Sun is high, the day is long; it must be the Summer Solstice. This is longest day of the year (in terms of daylight hours).. The Earth has tilted as far on it’s axis as it’s going to and starts back in the other direction. As good an excuse as any we can think of to take an evening walk on the beach at Sandy Hook. Come early with your own picnic supper, dine on our porch, and then join us for a stroll. A special tour inside a gun battery may be included.
Meet at 8 p.m. at Guardian Park. Call - we need a head count.
FREE - Call to reserve
Sunset Eco-Cruises on Barnegat Bay June 26
Join us as we cruise Barnegat Bay from Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. Ride aboard Paradise Cruise’s pontoon boat “Flipper.” Enjoy a bay eco-tour with the Littoral Society’s Helen Henderson, our expert on Barnegat Bay issues, and Jeff Dement, naturalist and Fish Tagging Program Director, followed by a beautiful sunset. Visit the salt marshes, see plenty of wildlife and “Ol’ Barney”.
Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island
Cruise departs from the Lighthouse Marina on 6th Avenue and the Bay- right next to USCG Station Barnegat Light
Cost: $25 per person. Complementary wine and cheese
Fossil Hunt (Big Brook, Colts Neck) July 10
This is a unique New Jersey experience, fossil hunting. Wade through the Big Brook in Middletown and sift for ancient shark"s teeth, squid guards and fossilized mollusks. This is one of the best areas in the country to search for Cretaceous Era fossils. Be prepared to get wet and muddy, but the prizes are well worth it. We"ll bring the necessary gear and you bring footwear for muddy banks and shallow water. Great for families. Directions will be mailed upon payment.
Meet at 10:30 a.m.
$15 PER MEMBER FAMILY
$25 FOR NON-MEMBER FAMILIES
Discovering the Fishes of Sandy Hook – A Seining Adventure for the Family July 15
(Formerly Family Nights)
We take our seine net down to the water and see what we can find. You wouldn’t know it from looking at it from above but there’s a lot going on under the surface of Sandy Hook Bay and our net will help bring some the action to the surface. Every pull of the net is different with different fish to see and talk about. This is a reworking of Family Nights, one of our favorites and we’ve streamlined it just a bit for more time at the water, more pulls of the net and more opportunities for discovery..
$10 per Member Family
$25 per non-member Family
Discovering the Fishes of Sandy Hook – A Seining Adventure for the Family July 22
(Formerly Family Nights)
We take our seine net down to the water and see what we can find. You wouldn’t know it from looking at it from above but there’s a lot going on under the surface of Sandy Hook Bay and our net will help bring some the action to the surface. Every pull of the net is different with different fish to see and talk about. This is a reworking of Family Nights, one of our favorites and we’ve streamlined it just a bit for more time at the water, more pulls of the net and more opportunities for discovery.
$10 per Member Family
$25 per non-member Family
Discovering the Fishes of Sandy Hook – A Seining Adventure for the Family July 29
(Formerly Family Nights)
We take our seine net down to the water and see what we can find. You wouldn’t know it from looking at it from above but there’s a lot going on under the surface of Sandy Hook Bay and our net will help bring some the action to the surface. Every pull of the net is different with different fish to see and talk about. This is a reworking of Family Nights, one of our favorites and we’ve streamlined it just a bit for more time at the water, more pulls of the net and more opportunities for discovery.
$10 per Member Family
$25 per non-member Family
Fluke Tagging Trip July 31
Join our fish tagging director for a day of Summer Flounder (Fluke) fishing and tagging. The boat departs from Atlantic Highlands municipal marina at 7:00 am. All tackle, bait, and tags will be provided. Call for fare info. Advance payment required. Space is limited.
Contact jeff@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055 X106 for reservations and info.
Payment secures your place on the boat.
Discovering the Fishes of Sandy Hook – A Seining Adventure for the Family August 5
(Formerly Family Nights)
We take our seine net down to the water and see what we can find. You wouldn’t know it from looking at it from above but there’s a lot going on under the surface of Sandy Hook Bay and our net will help bring some the action to the surface. Every pull of the net is different with different fish to see and talk about. This is a reworking of Family Nights, one of our favorites and we’ve streamlined it just a bit for more time at the water, more pulls of the net and more opportunities for discovery.
$10 per Member Family
$25 per non-member Family
Discovering the Fishes of Sandy Hook – A Seining Adventure for the Family August 12
(Formerly Family Nights)
We take our seine net down to the water and see what we can find. You wouldn’t know it from looking at it from above but there’s a lot going on under the surface of Sandy Hook Bay and our net will help bring some the action to the surface. Every pull of the net is different with different fish to see and talk about. This is a reworking of Family Nights, one of our favorites and we’ve streamlined it just a bit for more time at the water, more pulls of the net and more opportunities for discovery.
$10 per Member Family
$25 per non-member Family
Discovering the Fishes of Sandy Hook – A Seining Adventure for the Family August 19
(Formerly Family Nights)
We take our seine net down to the water and see what we can find. You wouldn’t know it from looking at it from above but there’s a lot going on under the surface of Sandy Hook Bay and our net will help bring some the action to the surface. Every pull of the net is different with different fish to see and talk about. This is a reworking of Family Nights, one of our favorites and we’ve streamlined it just a bit for more time at the water, more pulls of the net and more opportunities for discovery.
$10 per Member Family
$25 per non-member Family
Kids Day – Sandy Hook September 11
This day is specifically designed for kids from 4 to 8 years old and their parents. We start off with some very basic introductions to Sandy Hook natural history and the art of seining for fish. Next we move to Spermaceti Cove for an hour of seining and fish identification. Kids are invited to help as much or as little as they like pulling the net. Then we return to the Littoral Society office for “Fishy Fun” where we teach the kids the ancient art of Japanese fish printing (using rubber fish and non-toxic paint). Each child goes home with his or her personal fish print. Kids should wear bathing suits or clothes they can get wet and must wear footwear they can wear in water.
Meet at the Littoral Society headquarters at 1:30 pm.
$5 per Child
Fall Equinox Walk September 23
The other equinox, if we can find the egg we’ll try again to stand it on its end. Egg or no egg the beach is beautiful in the fall. Another great excuse for a walk through Sandy Hook.
Meet at 7 p.m. at Guardian Park. Call 732-291-0055 as we need a head count.
Free - Call to reserve
Sunset Eco-Cruises on Barnegat Bay September 25
Join us as we cruise Barnegat Bay from Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. Ride aboard Paradise Cruise’s pontoon boat “Flipper.” Enjoy a bay eco-tour with the Littoral Society’s Helen Henderson, our expert on Barnegat Bay issues, and Jeff Dement, naturalist and Fish Tagging Program Director, followed by a beautiful sunset. Visit the salt marshes, see plenty of wildlife and “Ol’ Barney”.
Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island
Cruise departs from the Lighthouse Marina on 6th Avenue and the Bay- right next to USCG Station Barnegat Light
Cost: $25 per person. Complementary wine and cheese
Greenwich Fair Birding Walk (Eagles) September 26
Every year the Town of Greenwich NJ on the shore of the Cohansey River holds a fair to celebrate the history and heritage of this area of southern New Jersey. Join Matt Blake of our South Jersey office as he leads a trip from the fair to look for eagles along the Cohansey River.
Price and meet location to be announced.
Surf Fishing Clinic at Sandy Hook October 30
Join Society staff for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach at Sandy Hook. We will cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and "reading" a beach. All skill levels will be accommodated. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 years of age are wel¬come with a supervising adult. Space is lim¬ited, so call ahead for reservations and directions.
$20 PER FAMILY/lNDIVIDUAL
$40 FOR NON-MEMBER FAMILIES
Surf Fishing Clinic at Sandy Hook November 6
Join Society staff for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach at Sandy Hook. We will cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and "reading" a beach. All skill levels will be accommodated. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 years of age are wel¬come with a supervising adult. Space is lim¬ited, so call ahead for reservations and directions.
$20 PER FAMILY/INDIVIDUAL
$40FOR NON-MEMBER FAMILIES
New Year’s Day Beach Walk January 1
Which came first, the New Year’s Day hangover or the American Littoral Society New Year’s Day Beach Walk? Which one is the better way to start a new year? Well we all know the answer to that one. We meet at American Littoral Society Headquarters at 11am for a winter stroll on Sandy Hook. Visual contact with the New York Chapter group at Floyd Bennett Field will be unsuccessfully attempted and then we return to the office for hot cider, hot chocolate, hot dogs and donated desserts. Dress warm and bring you left over holiday desserts to share.
Free