The Meadowlands Commission's immensely popular pontoon-boat eco-tours begin again next month and run through September. They are a fabulous way to see how the Hackensack River and its marshes are coming back — and a great way to see some great birds or just chill.

    For more information about these inexpensive two-hour pontoon-boat tours, click here.

   To download a schedule and registration form, click here.

For more information or to register for an NJMC pontoon boat cruise or canoe tour, call (201) 460-4640.

    To see more images taken on the Hackensack River last week, click immediately below.

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    The Tree Swallows are definitely back big-time at DeKorte, and their nesting boxes have a high occupancy rate.
    These guys were taking a break on the elevated walkway by the Visitor Center late Thursday afternoon.

      Duck Hunters on the Hoboken Marshes, 1849; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

   In conjunction with our 40th anniversary celebration, we've invited noted regional historian Kevin Wright to reprise his talk on the "History of the Meadowlands, pre-1969."    
   Kevin will present a free slide show and lecture next Friday, Apr. 24, at 12:15 p.m. (lunchtime). Topics include the Lenni Lenape, the Hackensack River,and how the region developed. He will also answer questions.
   Place: Meadowlands Environment Center, Two DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.
     To participate, please RSVP to Donna Bocchino  or call 201-460-4637.

     The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) Center for Environmental and Scientific Education today received LEED platinum certification from the U.S. Council on Green Building, becoming the first public building in New Jersey to receive the highest level of recognition under the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

    The 10,0000 square-foot science center, which opened in March 2008, features rooftop solar panels that generate nearly half its power and ceiling solar tubes that further reduce reliance on artificial light. Recycled building material was used in countertops, floor tiles and other parts of the center, and energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems were installed.

 Other energy-efficient features include a lighting system which dims energy output based on the availability of natural light, the use of  Forest Steward Council certified wood in construction, and the use of low-flow toilets and fixtures and waterless urinals to save water.

Approximately 2,000 children per month in grades K-12 from throughout North Jersey participate in educational programs at the science center. As one of the “greenest” classrooms in the State, the building is used by educators as a teaching tool for lessons on conservation, renewable energy resources and sustainability.

  We saw this Peregrine Falcon having a late afternoon snack today under the eastbound Route 3 Bridge by East Rutherford. 
   We have seen them all winter, but this was the first time we saw one perched at one of its favored river haunts.

   For at least the third year in a row — and in recent memory — Common Ravens are nesting in a cliff at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus.
   You can see the nest clearly from the athletic fields at the foot of the massive hill, and with a pair of binoculars, you can get good views of the ravens as they come and go,
   But other birds abound as well. On a recent trip, we also saw a Peregrine Falcon, an Osprey, two Redtails and five Turkey Vultures — and that was just that raptors.
   The ravens' nest has gotten much larger in the past month, and there is hope that some Ravenettes will emerge in a couple of weeks.
   More on the amazingly intelligent Common Raven here. Previous posts on Common Ravens here.

Coming soon: A Common raven duels with a Redtail.

As you may have noticed, the Meadowlands Blog has a new look, thanks to staff designer Mimi Sabatino. The photo across the top of this blog — of egrets and herons congregating in Harrier Meadow in North Arlington — was taken early one morning was late last August.

                                                     Photo courtesy of the Meadowlands Museum

   The Meadowlands Commission's Jim Wright will give two library talks next week on "The Meadowlands — Past, Present and Future."

    The  7 p.m. shows, in Ridgefield on Wednesday Apr. 22 and in Rutherford on Thursday Apr. 23. will include some great archival shots of the region, as well as some amazing nature photos taken within the last year. 

      Each show will run approximately one hour, including a question-and-answer session. The talks are part of the commission's year-long 40th anniversary celebration.

  (The photo above is of the old Bonnie Dell Farm in Rutherford along Route 17.)

   Click "Continue reading…" for details on both talks.

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    The N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society  are co-sponsoring a free Mother’s Day walk in Ridgefield on Sunday, May 10.

We meet at the Ridgefield Nature Center at 8 a.m. for a 45-minute nature walk, with some birding along the way. The nature center is a beautiful wooded natural area comprising 5.4 acres off Shaler Boulevard by Ray Avenue.

   The property was the source of the spring for the Great Bear Spring Water Co. from 1920 to 1975, at which point the land was sold to the Borough of Ridgefield.

    For those with a little extra time, we will drive over to the Skeetkill Creek Marsh a  mile away to look for egrets, herons and shorebirds.

  Along the way, we will stop to take a look at the nearby Monk Parakeet colony. These colorful birds live under a bridge, above the train tracks. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes.

    To register, contact Jim Wright of the Meadowlands Commission – at this e-mail address, 201-460-2002, or Don Torino of the BCAS at this e-mail address, 201-636-4022.