Trailside Programs Show Watchung Reservation Wonders

Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, NJ. The center is located in the Watchung Reservation, a 2,065-acre preserve containing woodlands, fields, lakes, streams and more than 13 miles of hiking trails.

There is something for everyone, and registration is still open. 

SMALL FRY DAYS

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

A drop-off program to foster awareness and appreciation of the natural world through nature hikes, exploration and activities.  Dress for the outdoors. Suitable for 4- to 6-year-olds. Younger and older children will not be permitted to attend this program. The programs run from 9:45 to 11 a.m. 1:15 to 2:30 p.m on Wednesdays. The fee is $8 to $10 per child. 

Feb. 21 or 22 -- Tropical Rainforests - Investigate a tropical rainforest from forest floor to the top layer, over 200 feet high!  Discover the unique sites and sounds associated with this special ecosystem.

Mar. 6 or 7 -- Incredible Egg – Discover which animals hatch from eggs and how their  eggs are different.  Look at different eggs from Trailside’s collection, then decorate one to take home.

Mar. 20 or 21 -- Spring’s A-coming - Spring is just around the corner!  Spring means more sunshine, warmer temperatures, longer days and animals waking up from long winter naps. Look for signs of spring as we explore the outdoors.

Mar. 27 or 28 -- Sow the Seeds – Get down and dirty making seed balls.  Discover the importance of seeds and learn which animals depend on them.  Hike to Trailside’s wildflower meadow and take turns spreading seeds.

AFTERSCHOOL EXPLORATIONS

A drop off program designed to acquaint your child with nature explorations, hikes and outdoor activities. Suitable for 1st and 2nd graders. Thursdays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Fee: $8 to $10. 

Feb. 16 -- Winter Seasonal - Explore the Watchung Reservation in winter.  Learn how to identify trees without their leaves and hike the nursery trails to search for deer paths, rabbit tracks and other animal signs.

Feb. 23 -- Behind the Scenes - Learn what it takes to care for Trailside’s resident animals. Meet frogs, snakes, turtles and fish up close while learning about their care, behavior and feeding habits.

Mar. 1 -- Sugaring Off – See how real maple syrup is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree.  Find out what equipment is needed to collect and process sap.  Take part in a taste test and try to identify the real thing. 

Mar. 8 -- Bird Feeder Frenzy - Take a short walk outdoors to look for our feathered friends.  Help fill the feeders in the Bird Viewing Area and learn to identify some common birds by sight and sound.  Find out about the different types of seed used to attract birds and make a bird feeder to take home.      

Mar. 15  -- Root to Fruit – Become a botanist, or plant scientist, and investigate the life cycle of a plant.  Plant a seed and take it home to watch it grow.  Discover how your favorite foods can be traced back to plants and search outside for sprout- ing plants and trees. 

Mar. 22 -- Headwaters Hike - The headwaters of Lake Surprise is a seldom-visited section of the reservation. Explore this wetland area and search for deer, frogs, turtles, birds and early spring wildflowers.  Meet at Lake Surprise parking lot. 

Mar. 29  --   Keepers of the Trail - Prepare to get down and dirty!  Work together to maintain part of Watchung Reservation’s trail system.  Help enhance wildlife habitat and create brush piles from fallen logs, twigs and branches.

JOE FISCHER’S SECRETS OF MAGIC 

A special behind the scenes look at how magicians do their magic.  This is a rare opportunity to learn from a professional magician.  Children are taught various magic tricks each week that they can take home and practice.  Make things appear and disappear, read a friend’s mind, predict the future, perform rope tricks, card tricks and more!  Suitable for 1st to 5th grade students. 

Begins Wed. Fed. 22 and runs for six weeks until March 28 from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Fee: $108 per child for 6 sessions. All materials are included. Meet at the Trailside Visitor Center Multi Purpose Room. A minimum of 10 children are needed to run the workshop. A maximum of 25 children can be enrolled. 

FEBRUARY FESTIVITIES 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presents special  programs for families & adults during the Presidents’ Day Holiday. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Programs will be held rain or shine. Programs are recommended for families with children ages 5 and older unless otherwise specified. Pre-registration is required for all programs. Please call ahead for space availability.  Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Programs will meet at the Trailside Visitor Center unless otherwise specified.

The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln

Fri., Feb. 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. 

Christian Johnson, dramatist with the American Theatre Organization portrays Lincoln with impressive resonance, giving insight into his strength of character. This revered leader was  a team-builder, who created a cabinet of rivals and tested them.  Join us for a memorable evening celebrating President’s week. 

This program is made possible in part by a grant from The New Jersey Council for the Humanities.  Fee: donations welcomed.

EcoArt Extravaganza

Sat., Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. 

Drop in anytime between 10-12 to use your artistic abilities by creating crafts from recycled objects.  Paper rolls become snakes, cereal boxes and magazine pictures will become colorful bookmarks and egg cartons will transform into a beautiful flower arrangement. Fee:  $5 per person IC, $6/person OC.  Pre-registration not required for this program.

Story Time

Sat., Feb. 18, 3 p.m. 

Join a Trailside staff member for engaging and entertaining stories for the season.  Meet on the lower level of the Visitor Center by the bird viewing area.  Donations appreciated.       

The Journey of Sap to Syrup

Sat. Feb. 18, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. &

Mon. Feb. 20, 10 to 11:15 a.m.     

See how 100% real maple syrup is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree. Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take part in a taste test to see if you can identify the real thing. Fee:  $5/person IC, $6/person OC.

Hocus Pocus, It's Joe Fischer!

Mon., Feb 20, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. 

This fast-paced show has a perfect blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement.  Recommended for children ages 4 and up.  Space is limited.  Tickets go on sale at 1 PM Monday, Feb. 20 at the Visitor Service Desk.  No strollers please. Fee:  $4/person. 

Animal Clue Scavener Hunt

Mon., Feb 20, 2 to 4 p.m.  

Take a walk outside in search of buck rubs, animal tracks, nibbled twigs and other signs that tell us our animal neighbors have been by.  Then enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows around a campfire. Fee:  $5 per person IC, $6 per person OC.

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For more information, contact the Trailside Nature & Science Center, at: 908-789-3670, ext. 7911 or visit the Web site.