JACKSON — Visitors to this year’s New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo spent the weekend enjoying the flora and fauna at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area as well as activities that promoted the great outdoors.
The annual event in Jackson — sponsored by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife, Division of Parks and Forestry, the state Green Acres program, and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey — gave visitors a closer look at a piece of the state’s natural environment the weekend of Sept. 13-14.
“The event is a great opportunity to showcase New Jersey and the experiences the public can enjoy in state lands, including our many parks, forests and wildlife management areas,” said Michelle Smith, expo coordinator.
Attendees were able to participate in demonstrations, view environmental and recreational exhibits, and attend workshops.
“Visitors of all ages were able to learn more about the local environment and fish and wildlife conservation,” said Smith, who is a biologist with the DEP.
Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts were welcome to participate in events in order to earn merit badges.
According to the DEP, the expo has been successful in promoting an outdoor lifestyle. About 84 percent of attendees who answered an exit survey at the 2013 event said it gave them “information or motivation to increase their participation in outdoor activities.”
Smith said those numbers are indicative of a regional culture that embraces the outdoors.