By Lavonne Bebler Johnson
PRESS RELEASE:
July 21, 2014 Contact Information:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friends of Rancocas Nature Center Co-Chairs:
Toni Price (609) 268-2131 / Rich Chichester (609) 915-7862;
RNC Sanctuary Director Susan Buffalino (609) 261-2495`
Lavonne Bebler Johnson, FRNC Communications Chair, (609) 923-4089; Email: lbeblerj@gmail.com
RANCOCAS NATURE CENTER to HOST 2nd GARDEN DAY
Identifying Aliens in the Woods is New Feature for 2nd Garden Day
WESTAMPTON, NJ —- Bog plants, plants that attract pollinators, butterflies and wildlife, helpful herbs, and identifying aliens in the woods are some of the main features of the Friends of Rancocas Nature Center’s Second Annual Garden Day on Sunday, August 3, 2014, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rancocas Nature Center.
“Come and enjoy our special gardens!” announced FRNC Co-Chair Toni Price, who planted this year’s Children’s Herb Garden at the Center and planted and donated materials for a Monarch Way Station this year. Price, a lavender farmer and beekeeper in Tabernacle, NJ, also houses six of her beehives in the Meadow Garden.
“The new Monarch Way Station (vital milkweed plants for Monarch butterfly caterpillars) is still in its infancy stage, so we’ll just show its location during one of our hikes. Our more established gardens should be in full bloom this time of year,” explained FRNC Co-Chair Rich Chichester. “And our trails, ponds, and meadows are ready for visitors!”
Children’s activities will include garden-related crafts and stories.
The day’s activities include:
ONGOING OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES & GARDENS TO SEE, Noon to 4pm:
• Children’s Garden Crafts & Activities n by Diane Rothschild, Rancocas Environmental Educator
• Bog Plant Q & A n by Bill Smith of Rare Find Nursery in Jackson, NJ… will have plants to sell and ongoing Q & A
• Dragonfly/Frog Pond n by Barbara Wiley, Rancocas Naturalist
• Wildlife Habitat/Pollinator Gardening n by Frank Victor, Rutgers Master Gardeners of Burlington County
• Practical Uses of Herbs, featuring the Children’s Herb Garden n by Adrianne Voyt, Expert on Ancestral Uses for Herbs & Plants (ointments, tinctures, balms, etc.)
• Nature Photography n by Harold Buchanan, photographer & FRNC Development Committee
• Beekeeping n by Steve Price of Busy Bee Farm, Tabernacle
• Ask a Master Gardener n by Marilyn Fishman, Rutgers Master Gardeners of Burlington County
• Rancocas Nature Center Membership & Information, plus Bird Seed Sale
NATURE WALKS:
1:00 n 1:45pm – Wildflower Hike n by Hedy Bauer, Rancocas Naturalist
2:00 n 2:45pm – Rancocas Butterfly Meadow n by Sandra Keller, Rancocas Associate Naturalist & Audubon Wildlife Birder
3:00 n 3:45pm – Identifying Aliens n by Susan Buffalino, RNC Sanctuary Director
As part of its mission to promote stewardship and provide environmental education for the Rancocas State Park and surrounding communities through the operation of the Rancocas Nature Center, FRNC continues its seasonal events to expand public participation and enrichment. Visitors should wear comfortable hiking shoes and outdoor clothing. Donations to help sustain the Center are always welcome!
Rancocas Nature Center, at 794 Rancocas Road, Westampton, NJ 08060 (Exit 45A off Rt. 295); 609-261-2495, is supported through the partnership of the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders; NJ State Park Service Division of Parks & Forestry; Westampton Township; Friends of Rancocas Nature Center; and Rancocas Conservancy. For more information, visit www.RancocasNatureCenter.org
Directions: FROM I-295: Take Exit 45A (Mt. Holly/Willingboro exit) east onto Rancocas Road, proceed past Westampton Municipal Complex traffic light, through Irick Road traffic light, to next right entrance (across from American Legion Post). FROM Rt.38, take County Rt. 541 (Mt. Holly By-Pass) to Rancocas Road (2nd traffic light). Turn left onto Rancocas Road. Follow signs to Rancocas Nature Center for several miles to the Center’s entrance on the left, across from American Legion Post.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Rancocas Nature Center is situated on a 210-acre piece of the Rancocas State Park and features three miles of hiking trails through varied habitats including meadows, forest, and wetlands, plus access to Rancocas Creek. It has been operating for 38 years, providing environmental education for the surrounding community with programs both on- and off-site for groups including schools, scouts, libraries, senior citizens, as well as the general public. The Nature Center building includes a nature gift shop, high quality bird seed for sale, live animals, natural history displays, and restrooms. Grounds include a Picnic Area (carry-in/carry-out), Dragonfly Pond, Frog Pond, Beehives, and Rutgers Master Gardeners of Burlington County Children’s, Pollinator and Display Gardens. The land has important environmental, historical and cultural significance dating back to the American Revolution. # # #
