A celebration of the outdoors and fun activities around the state will be showcased on Sept. 8-9 during the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s ninth annual Wild Outdoor Expo in Jackson, DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced.
The two-day expo at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is rain or shine. Admission and parking, as well as most activities, are free. Other activities may require a minimal charge, according to a press release.
The expo will have more than 100 conservation and environmental exhibits, demonstrations and seminars to highlight New Jersey’s outdoor heritage.
“New Jersey’s outdoors provide many opportunities for families to connect through recreation, sport and appreciating our abundant natural resources,” McCabe said. “The popularity of this annual event brings people of all ages together to not only appreciate the beauty of our environment, but to learn about the latest conservation efforts, try new activities and see some of our wildlife and marine life up close.”
One of the expo’s annual highlights is a giant mobile aquarium, which will hold a variety of warm water game fish from the Charles O. Hayford State Fish Hatchery in Hackettstown. Casting and fishing demonstrations as well as instructional tutorials for new anglers are planned, according to the press release.
In addition to the mobile aquarium, expo visitors can sharpen their camping and backpacking skills, try archery, learn about osprey platform building, improve their tree identification skills, and see raptors up close. Other activities will include zip lining, stand-up paddle boarding, nature photography, and outdoor learning on a variety of activities from fishing to kayaking, rock climbing, shooting sports and wildlife watching, according to the press release.
Exhibits, demonstrations and seminars scheduled at the expo will focus on air, water, soil, flora, fauna and history. Experts will be available to discuss fishing, hunting, scuba diving, forestry stewardship and more.
The expo will also feature an equipment flea market offering outdoor recreation and other environmental related products for purchase. Refreshments will be available from food trucks and vendors.
Many of the free activities and programs at the expo can help fulfill Boy Scout and Girl Scout badge requirements. For a complete list of free scout badge activities and expo events, as well as directions to the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, visit www.wildoutdoorexpo.com