Family night Thursdays run through Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Events are free.
By: John Dunphy
Looking to do something with the kids Thursday night that doesn’t include being dragged through a mall or lying comatose in front of a television?
Last week, the Lawrence Nature Center, located at the south end of Drexel Avenue, kicked off its third season of Thursday night education programs with "Big Birds of New Jersey." Presenter Tim Steinbeiser brought a turkey vulture and other live birds and taught the children how these fowl catch their prey and where they like to sleep, among other interesting factoids.
This week, the free series continues with "Animals of the Forest." Described as a chance to "pet the pelts of various northern forest animals," presenter Dave Bosted will educate attendees about animal behavior and the tracks they make in the woods.
In addition, children will be participating this summer in art projects, learning how uncultivated farmland reverts to its natural forested state, and enjoying outdoor cooking and campfires. The programs generally last about an hour and meet in the garage of the property, which was converted into a classroom.
With nine programs on tap through the end of August, Carol Nicholas, chairwoman for the Lawrence Nature Center, said the educational series is designed "at a level for family interest to encourage parents to enjoy nature with their children."
"All of the people presenting this year happen to be teachers or naturalists," she said. "These people volunteer their time, they’re part of the volunteer corps. And this is one of the outreaches we’re doing."
The success of the Thursday night programs are just the latest in a string of positive steps local organizers have made toward turning the 37-acre site into a full-fledged nature education center.
Purchased by Carl and Lucille Rinck in 1941, the property, and the adjoining Drexel Woods, was bought by the township in 1998. The township committed funds to developing the house on the residential portion of the property into the Lawrence Nature Center in 2002, according to www.lawrencenaturecenter.net. Volunteer programs, including a recent cleanup of Multiflora Rose, a non-native invasive species, was conducted in the Drexel Woods on June 30. A summer day camp for elementary education students is being offered in two sessions, July 16-20 and July 23-27, which will offer campers opportunities to explore, discover and experience nature and their environment up close within Lawrence Township.
The Rinck house, which was gutted two years ago in anticipation of a full renovation, just had heating and cooling systems installed last month, Ms. Nicholas said. New windows, doors and a sewer hookup also have been installed. Ms. Nicholas said she was hopeful the house would be ready for use by April of next year, just in time for Earth Day.
Ms. Nicholas said much thanks has to be given to the Girl Scout Gold Award project in 2004, which raised the initial $2,500 needed to purchase educational books, butterfly nets, and other supplies needed to get the educational programs off the ground. Since then, things have continued to improve.
"Hopefully, it will become an environmental community center for the town of Lawrence," she said. "We’re just hoping all the different groups that care about these things will use the facility, whether it be the Girl Scouts, the Audubon Society, Sustainable Lawrence. We’re all connected, and this hopefully will give us a place to have outreach and teach."
While environmental concerns and living a "green" lifestyle have only recently begun to tap the mainstream consciousness, Ms. Nicholas said awareness of the natural world has always been important, especially for children.
"They’re the ones who’ll be taking care of our planet," she said. "Also, it’s just a wonderful thing to do with your children enjoying nature, watching them discover nature it’s just a thrill."
For more information about the Lawrence Nature Center and the programs offered, visit www.lawrencenaturecenter.net or call the township Recreation Department at (609) 844-7067.

