The Monmouth County Park System is honoring Earth Day with nature walks, pond studies and more at select parks throughout the county on April 23.
Here is what is planned:
• Nature Walks at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township. Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking area; 10 a.m. and noon. A park system naturalist will lead the walk and highlight the many sights, sounds and smells of the spring season. Wear appropriate footwear as trails may be muddy. Walks last about an hour.
• Bird Walks at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township. Meet at the Visitor Center; 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Experience the best of morning bird activity with a park system naturalist. Walks last about an hour.
• Explore a freshwater pond at Holmdel Park, Holmdel. Meet at the shelter building; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Stroll along the pond at Holmdel Park with a park system naturalist searching for fish and freshwater life, perhaps even a turtle or two. Wear appropriate footwear as trails may be muddy. Program is approximately one hour.
• Discover freshwater creatures at Huber Woods Park Environmental Center, Middletown, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Join a park system naturalist and explore life in a shallow pond. The Reptile House will be open for tours afterward. Programs last about an hour.
• Nature walks at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot; 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Explore the woods and wetlands around the reservoir during a walk led by a park system naturalist. Observe local flora and fauna as you are guided on this outdoor exploration. Wear sturdy shoes; walks are on uneven trails and last approximately one hour.
• Beachcombing and cleanup at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Accompany a park system naturalist and comb the beach of Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park to learn about what can be found along local shorelines. During the walk, attendees will participate in a small beach cleanup. Walks are approximately one hour.
• Nature on the Move at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. Meet in the main parking area, 1-4 p.m. See the park system’s eye-catching Nature on the Move van that comes filled with hands-on tabletop activities and displays that will educate and engage everyone on Earth Day. Join a park system naturalist for a hands-on interactive program.
Admission and parking for all activities are free.
The park system will host an Earth Day Shore Planting from 4-6 p.m. April 22 at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth.
Assist with a dune restoration project by planting native plants that will provide valuable habitat for local wildlife. Plants are in limited supply, so this free program is on a first come, first served basis, according to a press release.
For more information about any of these offerings, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.