The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Bergen County Audubon Society are thrilled to announce exciting, new details about the Third Annual NJ Meadowlands Eagle Festival. The event takes place on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. The snow date is Sunday, Jan. 19, at the same time.

We have a host of guests, children’s activities and presentations planned to celebrate the majestic raptor and encourage an appreciation for the awe-inspiring symbol of our country. NJSEA and BCAS guides will conduct Eagle walks. Bring your binoculars; witnessing an Eagle in flight or perched upon a tree is simply breathtaking.

In addition, BCAS President Don Torino will discuss the return of the Bald Eagle to our area, and Bergen Camera will conduct a Photographing Raptors program.

Visitors will have the chance to stop by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey table and say hello to Larissa Smith. Larissa is the Foundation’s Senior Wildlife Biologist and coordinates volunteers for the NJ Bald Eagle Project. The volunteers monitor and protect over 300 Bald Eagle nests statewide.

The Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is bringing live birds of prey so that visitors can learn about and experience raptors up-close. A Native American Display will feature Marcey Tree In The Wind, an active Ramapough Lenape Nation Tribal Member, and her husband, Tony Moon Hawk Langhorn, an active Member of the Unkechaug Nation. Bald Eagles are highly revered and considered sacred within Native American culture and traditions. Learn why and much more from Marcey Tree In The Wind and Tony Moon Hawk Langhorn

There will be plenty of children’s games, crafts and table giveaways, courtesy of the BCAS, NJSEA, Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey, the New Weis Center, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, the SOAR (Sharing Opportunities, Advancing Realities) science education group and others.

The BCAS Frank M. Chapman Award will be presented at the Festival. The award’s namesake, a native of West Englewood (now Teaneck), was inspired by birds in the woods and fields of Bergen County to make them his life’s work. Chapman was the author of early, popular field guides. He was also a leading curator of birds at the American Museum of Natural History.

In addition, recipients of the Harold Feinberg Conservation Awards will be honored. Harold Feinberg was a longtime BCAS member and field trip chairman. He was a mentor, an enthusiastic supporter of Bergen Audubon endeavors, and always gave freely of his expertise with a rare combination of patience and knowledge.

Steve Kelman, our favorite bluegrass/folk singer-guitarist, provides a fitting musical backdrop to the festival.

A food truck will be present to provide nourishment throughout the day.

In the coming days, we will be posting articles spotlighting specific organizations mentioned above. Check this page often and we’ll see you on January 12!

DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center are located at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.

Contact: Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com – 201-230-4983