The Meadowlands Commission, the MEC (and Bergen County Audubon Society) sure have a lot on tap next month — from free walks to birding for beginners classes to an owl show to art classes to a free Earth Day concert.

Details follow.Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m.
First Sunday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
Enjoy early April out of doors by joining us on this free two-hour guided nature walk in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. We’ll walk around parts of the park, looking for spring arrivals, Bald Eagles and other birds. The walk starts at 10 a.m. outside the Meadowlands Environment Center. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Sunday, April 6, 1 p.m. (MEC)
Birding for Beginners (Bird IDs)
This free two-hour Birding for Beginners class starts with a short session on basic bird identification at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, followed by a nature walk in the park.  The event is run by the Bergen County Audubon Society and hosted by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983. Free.

Sunday, April 6, Sunday 2-3:30 p.m. (MEC)
Flat Rock Brook Owls – All ages
Owls are flying, hunting and roosting here in the Meadowlands. The Flat Rock Nature Center will bring artifacts and live birds and talk all about these feathered ambassadors, including their behavior, physiology, adaptations and natural history. 5/person; $4/MEC members. Registration is recommended and appreciated.

Saturday, April 12, 1-3 p.m. (Science Center)
Mixed Media Nature Sketching – Teens and adults
Field sketching is a time-tested way of interacting with and “capturing” the world.  Any teen or adult who wants to try this spontaneous method of drawing nature is invited to join us (no experience necessary).  Explore and experiment with pencil, charcoal, ink, and watercolor pencils to capture the essence of the season.  Weather permitting, we will go outside, so bring a chair if you’d like.  Borrow our basic art supplies for the session, or bring your own. $20/person; $16/MEC members. Registration is recommended and appreciated.

Sunday, April 13, 1 p.m. (MEC)
Birding for Beginners  (Optics & Field Guides)
This free two-hour Birding for Beginners class starts with a short session on field-guide basics and birding optics – from binoculars to spotting scopes. The class will be held at the MEC in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, followed by a nature walk in the park. The event is run by the Bergen County Audubon Society and hosted by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. To register, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983. Free.

Tuesday, April 15, 10 a.m. -noon.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
Celebrate the end of income-tax-filing season with this Harrier Meadow spring bird walk in North Arlington. We’ll walk around the 70-acre natural area, which is normally closed to the public, and look for ospreys, early warblers and shorebirds and a snipe or two. The walk starts at 10 a.m. at Harrier Meadow, on Disposal Road near Schuyler Avenue.  ( Note: There may be weekday construction vehicles on Valley Brook Avenue, so Harrier Meadow may be best reached by Schuyler Avenue).  The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. (MEC)
Bonus: Earth Day Concert with Spook Handy
This free concert celebrates our amazing planet and features folk  singer Spook Handy in the auditorium of the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst.  Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The event is run by the Bergen County Audubon Society and hosted by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. To register, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.comor 201-230-4983. Free.

Wednesday, April 23, 7-9 p.m. (MEC)
NJ Invasive Species Strike Team – All ages
The Invasive Species Strike Team is a statewide cooperative effort to prevent the spread of emerging invasive species. These non-native species threaten our environment and natural resources. Learn how the Strike Team is working to address these threats and protect the future of our precious environment. The Strike Team consists of private individuals and more than 80 public and private partner organizations. $5/person; $4/MEC members. Registration is recommended and appreciated.

Tuesdays, April 29, May 6, 13 and 20, 2:30- 4 p.m. (Science Center)
Watercolor Painting Series: Earth, Air, Fire, Water – Adults and teens
Adults and teens of all experience levels are invited to explore watercolor painting in this 4-session program.  The course begins with a traditional introduction to the medium and moves on to alternative techniques to provide texture and capture the elements of nature. Borrow our basic supplies for the sessions, or bring your own.  Registration covers the entire month. $70/person; $50/MEC members. Registration is recommended and appreciated.