The Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park is offering two great nature-themed programs in coming days.

First, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey offers a program on New Jersey’s threatened and endangered birds tomorrow afternoon (including Peregrine Falcons, like the one on right), followed by a talk by the legendary NJMC naturalist emeritus Don Smith on Sunday.

Both talks promise to be excellent.

Details follow.

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2-3:30 p.m.
New Jersey’s Threatened and Endangered Wildlife:
An Overview of the Garden State’s Rare Species – All ages
Education is a vital component to protecting New Jersey’s wildlife. Join the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and learn about our threatened and endangered species. There are 45 such species in the state, including several birds that can be seen in the Meadowlands. There are 45 such species in the state, including several raptors that frequent the Meadowlands. Endangered bald eagles, northern harriers and peregrine falcons and threatened Ospreys and American Kestrels have all been seen often at DeKorte Park, the home of the NJMC. This program aims to inspire people to act on threatened animals’ behalf and keep New Jersey’s wildlife in our future. $5/person; $4/MEC members
Meadowlands Environment Center
2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, 201-460-8300 or www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec

Sunday, Sept. 22, 1-2:30 p.m.
Muskrat Ramble with Don Smith – All ages
Don Smith, retired Chief Naturalist with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, was born and raised in Little Ferry. He is an expert on the Hackensack River and its marshes. Come hear Don talk about life growing up in the Meadowlands in the late 1950s, including his childhood adventures trapping muskrats in the marshes.
$5/person; $4/MEC members
Meadowlands Environment Center
2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, 201-460-8300 or www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec