The Bergen County Audubon Society leads an Endangered Species Walk at Harrier Meadow, a wonderful nature preserve that is usually closed to the public. Endangered and threatened species that can be seen at Harrier Meadow include Northern Harriers, Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrels and Savannah Sparrows. The walk takes place from 10 a.m. to noon.
Click here for lists of New Jersey Endangered, Threatened and Species of Special Concern.
Harrier Meadow is located off Disposal Road in North Arlington
The peace and tranquility of the Meadowlands helped inform artist Kay Fialkoff’s exhibit, Prayers for the Earth, Wetlands, Meadowlands, and Woodlands Suites1990-2018, on display at the Waldwick Public Library through June 30.
Kay’s series of embroidery masterworks took inspiration from New Jersey’s wetlands, woodlands and meadows habitats, including Richard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, the home of the NJSEA; the Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah; the Celery Farm Nature Preserve in Allendale; the Glen Rock Duck Pond; the Saddle River County Park Glen Rock and Paramus (Dunkerhook); and Cape May.
Prayers for the Earth: Meadowlands Suite, No. 1 The Joy of the Meadow Copyright Kay Fialkoff
Prayers for the Earth, Wetlands, Meadowlands, and Woodlands Suites celebrate Earth from the time granite formed over a half a billion years ago through our current era, the Cenozoic Era, a time of great diversification of flowering plants and birds. Kay’s practice invokes the art of Zen, portraying nature over time and space.
The Hebrew phrase arching over each motif means “Full of Joy.” Kay said that she enjoys the sense of place and belonging that she feels while walking through DeKorte Park on Bergen County Audubon Society nature walks.
Prayers for the Earth: Meadowlands Suite, No. 2 A Glorious Morning in the Meadow Copyright Kay Fialkoff
“I especially enjoy the Marsh Wrens trilling among the tall reeds along the boardwalk loop,” she said. “Not only do I enjoy the flora and fauna of the trails, but I also experience the joy of being fully present and grounded in nature with nature lovers of all ages.”
Prayers for the Earth: Meadowlands Suite, No. 3 Late Summer in the Meadow Copyright Kay Fialkoff
Prayers for the Earth: Meadowlands Suite, No. 4 Seasons of Beauty in the Meadow Copyright Kay Fialkoff
Kay is a member of the Fyke Nature Association, the Bergen County Audubon Society and the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Bergen Chapter, among others. The Fair Lawn resident’s embroideries have been exhibited at the Paterson Museum in Paterson, New Jersey; the Belskie Museum of Art and Science in Closter, New Jersey; many other libraries in New Jersey; and most recently at Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel Galleries in South Orange, New Jersey.
Needle Arts magazine, a publication of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, published all of the works from 1996 to 2022.
The Waldwick Public Library is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays.
The library is located at 19 E. Prospect Street, Waldwick, NJ 07463. Phone: 201-652-5104. Website: https://www.waldwicklibrary.org/
Residents from Spectrum for Living locations visited DeKorte Park on Tuesday, May, 5, to show off their fantastic, homemade bird boxes, continuing a 15-plus year tradition. The groups had the opportunity to see the NJSEA’s Gabrielle Bennett-Meany install a Tree Swallow Nesting Box and enjoyed a walk through the park.
Each group’s themed bird box was honored for an element of its creation. The NJSEA send its thanks to the Spectrum for Living residents for their great work!
Best Overall – The Ice Cream House – Teaneck ATC
Most Natural- The Bird Oasis – North Haledon ATC
Most Creative – Beach House – Carver ATC (Westwood)
Photos left to right: Purple Coneflower, Bee Balm, Milkweed
Celebrate the abundance of flora at Richard W. DeKorte Park on Native Plant Day, Sunday, May 31! The event, sponsored by the NJSEA and the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS), runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Native Plant Day includes guided walks, talks and information tables focused on the many native species found throughout DeKorte Park. Native plants play a significant role in helping to sustain a healthy ecosystem. They provide food and habitat for birds and pollinators, maintain healthy soil, and contribute to biodiversity.
Some species depend on specific native plants for their survival. Milkweed, found in great numbers in the park, is the only plant on which a Monarch Butterfly will lay its eggs, while Purple Coneflower provides food for Goldfinches.
NJSEA and BCAS experts will explain differences between native and non-native species and the positive environmental impact of choosing native plants. Bergen Audubon President Don Torino will give a talk on how to create a BCAS Certified Wildlife Garden in your own backyard and community.
“Native Plant Day is a great opportunity to enjoy, appreciate, and better understand how native plants are critical to the success of the Meadowlands’ sensitive urban ecosystem,” said Jill Hirsch, President and CEO of the NJSEA. “We are pleased to host public programs with the Bergen County Audubon Society that foster environmental stewardship in the community.”
Native Plant Day is free to the public. DeKorte Park is located at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.
