It’s a gorgeous day out, and we want to brighten it some more! Here are a series of wonderful Crocus and Daffodils courtesy of Mickey Raine. Thank you Mickey for the great photos!

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society for a special nature walk from 10 a.m. to noon through this preserve that is usually closed to the public. They will be on the lookout for migrant waterfowl and songbirds. Park off Disposal Road.

Contact:  Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com (201) 230-4983

We’re looking forward to Native Plant Day on Sunday, May 21, at DeKorte Park. The family-friendly program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Bergen County Audubon Society.

Visitors will explore the significant importance of native plants to parks and natural areas through guided walks led by BCAS and NJSEA experts throughout the day. Local organizations will have information booths to provide the public with educational materials. Local species serve as food sources for many Meadowlands pollinators such as bees and butterflies. In addition, Monarch Butterflies will only lay eggs on milkweed, a native plant that is abundant in DeKorte Park. As the Monarch Butterfly is in decline, the existence of native plants is critically important to their survival.

There will also be a presentation on creating a certified wildlife garden in your own backyard. Creating a native plant habitat at home allows individuals to do their part in supporting birds and wildlife while fostering a healthy landscape.

Enjoy a guided walk with the Bergen County Audubon Society through Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, one of the Meadowlands last remaining low-lying forested areas. Wear boots – the park can be muddy and the terrain a bit tough. The walk runs from 10 a.m. to noon. We’ll meet in the parking lot adjacent to Mehrhof Pond on Mehrhof Road.

Contact:  Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com (201) 230-4983

Spring is in full force at DeKorte Park! The natural area’s impressive, gorgeous array of native plants and flowers are a great treat for visitors and a reminder that those occasional, winter-like temperatures will soon be well behind us.

DeKorte Park is truly natural in that pre-emergent herbicides often used for lawn care are not deployed here. This enables the blooming of a beautiful number of species of lawn weeds. The blue flowers in the photo above are Veronica chamaedrys, commonly known as Speedwell. The purple flowers are Lamium purpureum, referred to as Purple Dead Nettle, also a lawn weed. These attractive weeds are very useful. They provide food for pollinators and can serve as a useful groundcover.

Be sure to keep an eye out for such lovely flora and more at DeKorte Park. See you there!

Enjoy a guided walk with the Bergen County Audubon Society through Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, one of the Meadowlands last remaining low-lying forested areas. Wear boots – the park can be muddy and the terrain a bit tough. The walk runs from 10 a.m. to noon. We’ll meet in the parking lot adjacent to Mehrhof Pond on Mehrhof Road.

Contact:  Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com (201) 230-4983

Please note: The NJSEA administrative offices will be closed on Friday, April 7. DeKorte Park will remain open and will also be open on Easter Sunday.

Please note: Due to cloudiness, tonight’s public viewing at the William D. McDowell Observatory has been cancelled. The next public viewing night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12.