Mark Dwyer and Stephany Carballo Join Flat Rock Brook's Staff!

We are delighted to welcome Mark Dwyer as our new full-tume Park Ranger. Mark has worked for the Nevada Conservation Corps/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Natural Resources Group of the New York Parks Department. He has expertise in invasive plant control, native plant landscaping, stream bank restoration, and trail maintenance. Mark has a B.S. in biology from Drew University. Mark will be responsible for all aspects of Land Management, at Flat Rock Brook, including using GPS/GIS technology to assess environmental, habitat and land use concerns within the facility, and developing meaningful projects for volunteer groups who aid us in maintaining the property.

Stephany Caraballo is our new part-time environmental educator. She is a biology major with a concentration in ecology at William Paterson University, scheduled to graduate on May 20, 2008. In the summer of 2007, she participated in a research study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an intern. Her research was on the Indiana Bat, an endangered species that has recently been found in New Jersey. She found the experience rewarding and will present a bat program at Flat Rock Brook this summer. Her main interests include the effects of ecotourism on endangered species, the environment and indigenous communities. She is very excited to share her experience, enthusiasm, and positive attitude with everyone in Flat Rock Brook.

High School Volunteers Needed
As Summer Nature Camp Counselors

This summer, high school students can volunteer to be nature camp counselors, assisting our camp teacher with activities and hikes for young children weekday mornings and/or afternoons. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, come to the Student Volunteers Orientation Meeting, Thursday, June 5th or Monday, June 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Avenue in Englewood. Refreshments will be served. Please call Jill Bennetta at 201 567-1265 or go to the Student Volunteer page on the website.

Volunteer Days
Sunday, June 29th and Saturday, July 26th
Join Caretaker Ryan Hasko and Park Ranger Marc Dwyer for beautification projects at Flat Rock Brook. We plan to work from 9:30-12:30—rain or shine. We will supply refreshments, gloves, tools, and any other necessary supplies, and all you have to bring is your desire to help Flat Rock Brook. Call Marc Dwyer 201 567-1265.

If you would like to help manage invasive species, contact Park Ranger Marc Dwyer for information. We would like to assemble a crew of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers to focus on controlling invasive plants throughout Flat Rock Brook’s property.

Mad Science to Perform at
Nature Day

Mad Science, a leading and acclaimed science enrichment provider for children will give 3 performances throughout the day at Nature Day on May 18. Mad Science Special Events are spectacular science-themed shows designed to amaze and entertain young audiences. Children can conjure foggy dry ice storms, float on a Mad Science hovercraft, watch a foam factory at work, create super bouncy balls, make magic mud, alter sound waves, and so much more Mad Science has introduced millions of children to a world of discovery while sparking their imagination. Come to Nature Day on May 18 to enjoy their presentation of "Fire and Ice!"

Grant News at Flat Rock Brook

Flat Rock Brook Nature Association has received a $5,000 grant from the Community Chest of Englewood for education programs at the Nature Center. The grant will be used to develop curriculum and finance onsite visits and environmental programs for elementary school students from the Englewood Public School District.  The Community Chest has been a strong supporter of our education program for many years, and this funding will enable us to provide lessons for nearly a thousand Englewood students this coming year.

Flat Rock Brook is planning a renovation of the Backyard Habitat for Wildlife We have received a $1,500 Grant from WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, and a bequest of $7,500 from the estate of Patricia Chegut a former Englewood Public School teacher. These funds will go a long way in helping us implement the project.

We have received a $9,000 award from Bergen County through its Community Development Block Grant for the 2008/09 school year which will fund field trips at the Nature Center for Englewood School Children in Kindergarten and 3rd and 6th Grades. Our Education staff will also conduct lessons for the same students at their schools as part of the grant award.

The City of Englewood through State Clean Communities program has provided a $1,500 grant to conduct the Earth Day cleanup on April 27th, and to initiate an education program called Reduce, Reuse, Recycle which will be offered to schools in the fall.

The Bergen County Audubon Society with funds provided by the National Audubon Society has provided a $1,500 grant to print a tree identification guide "Identifying Trees at Flat Rock Brook" that will aid hikers in identifying the trees in Flat Rock Brook's woods. The guide will be available at the Nature Center shortly.