Registration by mail is required for all programs unless otherwise stated. To register please fill out the printable Program Registration Form and mail it along with your payment to Flat Rock Brook. All registration is by mail and is on a first come, first served basis. You are not registered until payment has been received. In the event of cancellation, your payment will be refunded only if we are notified at least 5 business days before the scheduled program.
Toddler Times
Tuesdays: March 11, April 15, May 20; Thursdays: March 13, April 17, May 22
All classes 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Children ages 2-5 with parent or adult.
These 45-minute programs are designed with the little ones in mind. Each session will be held at the Nature Center, and will include a story and interactive activity or craft. Come and join us for the fun! Registration by mail is required. Please register early, these classes fill up quickly! Per child, per class cost: $5 for members, $8 for non-members. Registration form
Young Explorers’ Series
Mondays: March 17, 31, April 14, 28, and May 5, 19; 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. For children ages 4-8
Welcome back to our popular Young Explorers’ series! It’s that time of year to explore the wonders of nature with Elli Grayzel. Take part in hands-on discovery on these exciting outdoor hikes. Mom, dad or favorite adult are asked to come along with the group on this series of six sessions of outdoor explorations. You MUST pre-register by mail for this series. Please register early! Classes fill up quickly. $70 for members only, you must be or become a $45 family member. Registration form
Green Thumb Young Gardeners
8 sessions on Tuesdays, March 18, 25, April 8, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 27. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Children in 1st – 4th grades
Spring is the perfect time to get in the garden and make things grow! Our young gardeners will prepare the soil, select and plant seeds and bulbs, make plant crafts, and learn about animal friends that share the garden during this eight class series. Children will feel great pride when they visit the garden throughout the spring to see the results of their hard work. Pre-registration by mail is required. Space is limited! $80 members, $95 non-members. Registration form
Hikes with Tykes
Thursday, March 20, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. For families with children ages 4-8
Spring fever is here! Get outside with your tykes and join Flat Rock on the trails to explore what spring is bringing to our area. Pre-registration by mail is required. $5 for members, $8 non-members. Registration form
A Virtual Tour of the Hackensack River Watershed
Thursday, March 27, 7:00 -8:30 p.m. Adults and children 12 and older.
Join Captain Hugh Carola, Hackensack Riverkeeper Program Director, for a trip down the Hackensack River from its headwaters in Rockland County all the way to Newark Bay – and all without leaving the comfort of FRB! Learn about our watershed’s natural and human history from prehistoric times to today. Using slides, Capt. Hughie will teach you about the fish that live in the river, the birds that nest along its banks; and explain how it is that the 45-mile long Hackensack is actually two rivers in one! Bring your questions and bring a friend. Pre-registration is required. $5 members, $8 non-members. Registration form
After-School Birding
Thursdays, March 27, April 10, 24, and May 1, 8, and 15; 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
For children ages 8 - 12
Join us as we explore the wilds of Flat Rock Brook to seek out both the rare and wonderful birds of New Jersey. In this series of classes we will learn to use binoculars and field guides as well as identify characteristics and markings of the different birds found in northern New Jersey. A field journal is provided, and field guides are available for purchase. Don’t miss out on some good birding! Pre-registration by mail is required. Please register early, this series will fill up quickly. $70 for members only, you must be or become a $45 family member to register for this series. Registration form
Signs of Spring Walk
Sunday, March 30; 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
For adults and children ages 6 and older
New life will be stirring at Flat Rock Brook as the spring season approaches. Take a leisurely stroll around the trails looking for spring flowers, the stirring of active wildlife, and other signs of spring. Come stretch your legs and shake off the winter blues! Pre-registration by mail is required. $5 members, $8 non-members. Registration form
Garden in the Morning
Tuesdays, April 1, 15, 29 and May 13, 27; 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. For adults
The FRB Gardeners invite one and all (everyone is welcome regardless of experience) to the kick off of the 2008 gardening season. Gardeners meet every other Tuesday beginning April 1 through October. Each session begins with a 10-minute mini-lesson. Bring willing hands and gloves! Please note that the April 1 session begins at 9:30 a.m.. No need to pre-register. Free to All.
Sunset Hikes
Tuesdays, April and May, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. For adults and children ages 10 and up
Take a sunset hike along the trails and through the forest with Trail Guide Geneva Warrick. Hikes are about 2-3 miles. These are great hikes for beginning hikers, an easy workout and a relaxing way to end your work day. Enjoy the beauty and take advantage of springtime hiking close to home. Meet at the gazebo in the nature center parking lot. No need to register. Free for members, $5 non-members.
Environmental Topics Series: Energy Efficiency
Energy Audits: Saving Energy for Home or Business
Saturday, April 12, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Adults and children 10 and older.
Did you know that up to 60% of energy used to heat and cool homes is wasted due to leaky ducts, inefficient heating and cooling systems, poor insulation and air leaks? When you are planning a renovation project or new construction, it is also a great time to consider reducing energy usage. Join Ed Schwartz, principal of Green Living Solutions, as he explains what is entailed in an energy audit, how they can save you money, and eco-friendly options to consider in your home or business. Tour Flat Rock Brook’s Nature Center as Ed pinpoints potential trouble areas and goes over typical problem areas. Learn how you can save money and protect the environment at the same time. Pre-registration by mail is required. Register early for this special program. Free for members, $5 non-members. Registration form
Early Spring Walk in Greenbrook Sanctuary
Sunday, April 13, 10:30 a.m. – Noon. For FRB members and their families
Palisades Nature Association invites members of Flat Rock Brook for an early spring walk in Greenbrook Sanctuary with Naturalist/Director, Nancy Slowik. This 165-acre nature preserve is located on top of the New Jersey Palisades and offers several vistas overlooking the Hudson River. Early spring can be a good time of year to search for early spring amphibians, migrating birds and early wildflowers. The walk is FREE and participants will be met at the gate from 10:15 AM until 10:35 AM. Entrance Road is .8 miles north of East Clinton Avenue, along Route 9W. No need to register. Free to All.
Wildflower Wonders
Sunday, April 13; 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., and Monday, May 12;
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
For adults and children 10 and older
Flowers pop up everywhere along the trails of Flat Rock in the springtime. Come and join us for an introductory wildflower identification walk. We’ll discover the beauties of the spring and learn to identify these wonders of nature. Bring your own field guide or borrow one of ours! Pre-registration by mail is required. Per person, per program cost- $5 members, $8 non-members. Registration form
Spring Mini-Camp
Monday, April 21 – Thursday, April 24
9:00 to 10:30 a.m. for 4-6 year olds; 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. for 6-9 year olds
Youngsters can gear up for spring through four days of nature discovery and fun! Each class in this series will feature a different area of nature investigations for children to explore. Activities include hikes, crafts and games. Pre-registration by mail is required.
$45 members, $60 non-members. Registration form.
Environmental Topics Series: Energy Efficiency
Trip to Global Green Expo
Friday, April 25, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., For adults and teenagers.
Join Flat Rock Brook’s Executive Director Steve Wiessner on a fun and informative trip to the Global Green Expo at Liberty State Park. The event sponsored by PSE&G is designed to educate New Jersey residents and businesses about how to make a difference in the battle against climate change. The Expo will feature hundreds of exhibits, interactive workshops, presentations by environmental leaders and organizations, family entertainment, and a wholesome food court. Programs at the event will cover building and remodeling, energy, food, household products, lifestyle, transportation, and yard and garden. Meet at the Nature Center and we will travel together in a rented 15 passenger van. Price includes transportation and entrance ticket, but does not include lunch. Visit http://globalgreen2008.com for event details and scheduled speakers. Pre-registration by mail is required. $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Space is limited to one van, so register early for this special event. Van will leave FRB parking lot at 9:30 a.m. sharp! Registration form
Earth Day Cleanup
Sunday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. For adults and children 6 and up
Looking for a volunteer project this Earth Day? Join Flat Rock Brook and the City of Englewood for a cleanup of our preserve this Earth Day weekend. The City has partnered with FRB through a collaboration with the State of New Jersey’s Clean Communities program to offer this special project. Be prepared to get down and dirty as we work together on projects to improve and beautify FRB. Meet at the Nature Center building on Van Nostrand Avenue for this program. No registration required. Free for all.
Take your Mom for a Hike
Sunday, May 11; 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Families with children ages 4 and older.
What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than a fun, family hike around Flat Rock? We’ll walk the trails in search of animal moms and their young in the wild. Pre-registration by mail is required. Moms attend for FREE. Per person: $5 for members, $8 for non-members. Registration form
Nighttime Wonders
Tuesday, May 20; 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Families with children ages 6 and older.
Lots of tiny creatures think the nighttime is the right time to be active. Come to Flat Rock to learn about animals that swoop, blink, hunt, and chirp. We’ll start with a fun activity followed by a hike and finally yummy refreshments. Bring flashlights! Pre-registration by mail is required. $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers. Registration form
