A ginko is a haiku walk, where poets gain inspiration through observation and reflection. Join haiku poet and Naturalist Jeff Hoagland to discover the art of ginko on this communal walk to the Stony Brook. Here we will enjoy a unique habitat and meet a number of organisms up close and personal. The Brook promises discovery and surprise and participants will walk away with some new haiku.
This program is intended for adults and teens. Pre-registration is required.
Ahhhh, springtime! Enter the nocturnal world of frogs as we explore the dark, wet trails of the Watershed Reserve. We will search for frogs, enjoy their serenades, and meet some tadpoles along the way. We will meet at our pond for a unique adventure of a hike, mud included with admission.
Ages 6 and up. Adult attendance and pre-registration required.
Date: May 8, 2026 @ 12 p.m. On Zoom
Cost: Free but registration required
CEUs: 1.5 Continuing Education Credits for Professional Engineers (PEs) available for purchase ($35)
Municipalities throughout NJ are in the midst of developing plans, called Watershed Improvement Plans, to restore NJ’s waters and reduce flooding. As these plans are developed and projects are identified municipalities and their consultants should take a hard look at the types of projects used to address decades of impacts.
The go to techniques of porous pavement and bioretention, while important, may not been the most effective and least costly methods. Techniques that seek to restore and enhance our degraded wetlands, restore stream banks and floodplains, and restore and enhance riparian zones, may offer significant benefits at a lower cost.
Practitioners from RES will talk about their experiences in wetlands restoration and creation for the Pennsylvania DOT to meet its stormwater requirements among other projects. PennDot saved $40 million dollars over the traditional BMPs strategies usually used.
Can NJ learn from this experience? Can restoration and enhancement save NJ municipalities money and improve the environment? Join us on May 8th to learn more.
This event will be 100% virtual. Recordings will be shared with attendees after the event. If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to contact Pri Oliveira at poliveira@thewatershed.org.
Contact e-mail: poliveira@thewatershed.org
Preschool Nature Class: Weather Watchers
Join us as we examine the many different types of weather we experience, from sunny skies to shocking storms! Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed in layers and waterproof shoes.
This program is intended for children ages 3-5. Younger siblings are welcome to attend with a parent, but we ask that they do not participate in activities. Adult attendance and preregistration required- walk ins will not be allowed.
Contact E-mail: ahill@thewatershed.org
Cost: $15.00 per Child (3-5 years)
Discover all the fun differences between our feet and animal feet. Learn how animals use their unique stompers and develop the skill to identify animals based off of their tracks! Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed in layers and waterproof shoes.
This program is intended for children ages 3-5. Younger siblings are welcome to attend with a parent, but we ask that they do not participate in activities. Adult attendance and preregistration required- walk ins will not be allowed.
Contact E-mail: ahill@thewatershed.org
Cost: $15.00 per Child (3-5 years)
More details and registration coming soon!
Meet the neighbors! The Watershed Reserve contains nearly 1000-acres of varied habitats – field, forest, swamp, marsh, pond and stream – all rich with plant, animal, and other life. Each ramble will explore a different trail location on the Watershed Reserve, dictated in part, by weather conditions.
Celebrate and explore the diversity of life on the Reserve with Watershed Institute staff naturalists, discovering firsthand some of the organisms that make this landscape home.
We will be documenting life along our Reserve’s trails using iNaturalist, a free app available on your phone. iNaturalist is an important resource tool for collecting, mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity. It also has an easy-to-use identification tool that is also backed up by other iNaturalist users.
9:00am – 5:00pm
Join us for a day of communion in nature with this gathering of haiku poets on the 950-acre Watershed Reserve in central New Jersey. Under the influence of field and forest, wetland and farmland, and near the song of the Stony Brook, we will celebrate the muse, as we explore, expand and create through the practice of haiku.
Inspiring for seasoned haiku poets and newbies alike, this event will include workshops, readings, music, a haiku marketplace, an open mic and more. We will gather under the large tent at the Watershed Center with time spent on the trail, in the emerging gardens and Butterfly House as well as in the Watershed Center. Morning refreshments and lunch are provided.
When: Wednesday, June 17 from 9:00AM-3:00PM
Where: The Watershed Institute – 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, NJ
This training is suitable for Department of Public Works crews, facilities staff, or landscape crews and leaders who maintain green infrastructure features like rain gardens, meadows, or naturalized detention basins.
This workshop provides practical training that crews can apply immediately when maintaining green infrastructure features in your town or at your facility.
In this workshop, you will learn:
How stormwater impacts local waterways
Inspection, care, and adaptive management of green stormwater infrastructure
Native plant selection and identification for BMPs
Common invasive species and management approaches
How to read, interpret, and contribute to BMP maintenance plans
Please register soon, as we have a limited number of spots! Registration ends June 10th or when class is full. If you have any questions, contact Olivia at ospildooren@thewatershed.org
This program is provided in partnership with the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Kean University, and Mercer County Community College.
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