Do we have a great summer of events planned for you — everything from twice-monthly nature walks to the 2nd Annual Butterfly Festival (Sunday, July 24) to a Shorebird Day with noted nature photographer Kevin Karlson (Saturday, August 20).  All but one of the seven events are free.

The full list of events, sponsored by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society, follows.

Save the dates now. (Don't miss out!)

July

Sunday, July 3, 10 a.m.
First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk around the square-mile park, looking for Black Skimmers, butterflies and various egrets and herons. After the walk will be a reception for noted wildlife photographer Herb Houghton in the Meadowlands Environment Center, who is exhibiting this month in the Flyway Gallery.  The reception is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Marshview Pavilion. from noon to 2 p.m.   The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Tuesday, July 19, 10 a.m.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Special Event:
Pontoon Boat Birding Cruise with the NJMC and BCAS
This is a two-hour birding trip along the Hackensack River and its marshes. The two-hour guided trip has a suggested donation of $15 per person. We’ll look for peregrine falcons, ospreys, northern harriers, various egrets and herons, plus diamondback terrapins. Nature photographers are welcome, but you must be unobtrusive (no tripods). The event is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. Tour departs from the River Barge Park in Carlstadt. For pre-registration information or to rsvp, please contact Gaby Bennett-Meany at 201-460-4640.

Sunday, July 24, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(Free) Butterfly Day With the NJMC and BCAS
The Meadowlands Commission is holding a free one-day butterfly fest on Sunday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DeKorte Park. In addition to butterfly walks for the whole family, there’ll be brief introductory slide shows on the Butterflies of DeKorte Park, tables with loads of information on butterfly identification, binoculars and gardening to attract butterflies – plus contests and great door prizes. Butterfly Day is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society, with a huge assist from the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983. (Rain Date, July 31)

Sunday, July 31, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
(Free) Summer Bird Count for Families With the NJMC and BCAS
To encourage more children and families to go birding and enjoy nature, the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen Audubon Society are holding their first-ever summer bird count at DeKorte Park. We’ll walk the square-mile park and point out all the species of birds and butterflies and do an informal bird census as well. Think of it as a family friendly, warm-weather alternative the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories.  Rain cancels. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

August

Sunday, August 7, 10 a.m.
First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk around the square-mile park, looking for migrating shorebird, butterflies and various egrets and herons. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Tuesday, August 16, 10 a.m.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Nature Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk will take us to the legendary Harrier Meadow in North Arlington. The 70-acre site, usually off limits to the public, features ponds and tidal impoundments and birds aplenty.  We meet at 10 a.m. at the entrance to Harrier Meadow on Disposal Road. You can also meet us at the visitors’ parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst at 9:30 a.m. and we can carpool. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Saturday, August 20, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
3rd Annual Kevin Karlson Shorebird Day, with the NJMC and BCAS
Spend the day with noted shorebird expert and nature photographer Kevin Karlson. Karlson is leading 90-minute bird walks at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., he will present a talk on “Tips on Becoming a Better Birder” at 1 p.m.   At 2 p.m. Kevin will discuss and show images from his latest books. At 2:45 p.m., he and another noted photographer, Lloyd Spitalnik, will lead an hour-long wildlife photography workshop. All events are free, but you must sign a standard liability release for 2011 if you have not already. Bring your lunch and beverage.  To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.