What's happening at the Watershed in 2026

July

Come along to learn all about baby birds and how they grow up. Our weekly preschool classes include crafts, outdoor exploration, and interactive games. Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed for the weather with 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.

butterfly house tours the watershed institute pennington new jersey

Join us for a guided tour of The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House to view and learn about local butterfly species. If time and weather allows, we will try catching wild butterflies in the field. Cameras welcome. Butterfly House Tours are held weekly on Thursdays from 10AM-11AM through the summer. Advance registration required.

The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House is handicap-accessible, free and open daily from dawn until dusk (mid-June through mid-September) except during a scheduled program or tour.

For all ages, children under 3 are free. Adult attendance required.

Fairies and friends gather together for some magical activities at The Watershed Institute. We will build fairy cottages using natural materials, create fun crafts, splash together as we play mermaid games, flutter around an obstacle course and more! Come dressed as a fairy or other mythical creature. 

Ages 2 and up. Adult attendance required.

Let’s explore the fascinating wonders of the underground world. We will discover the special adaptations creatures need to survive beneath our feet. Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed for the weather with 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.

Come along as we learn all about sunflowers and other kinds of flowers! Our weekly preschool classes include crafts, outdoor exploration, and interactive games. Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed for the weather with 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.

 
butterfly house tours the watershed institute pennington new jersey

Join us for a guided tour of The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House to view and learn about local butterfly species. If time and weather allows, we will try catching wild butterflies in the field. Cameras welcome. Butterfly House Tours are held weekly on Thursdays from 10AM-11AM through the summer. Advance registration required.

The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House is handicap-accessible, free and open daily from dawn until dusk (mid-June through mid-September) except during a scheduled program or tour.

For all ages, children under 3 are free. Adult attendance required.

Join Watershed Educator Alison Novobilsky to learn about different animals homes, how they make their homes and what is needed for their habitat. We will search for homes at the Watershed on our hike and make a cute craft. Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed for the weather with 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.

butterfly house tours the watershed institute pennington new jersey

Join us for a guided tour of The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House to view and learn about local butterfly species. If time and weather allows, we will try catching wild butterflies in the field. Cameras welcome. Butterfly House Tours are held weekly on Thursdays from 10AM-11AM through the summer. Advance registration required.

The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House is handicap-accessible, free and open daily from dawn until dusk (mid-June through mid-September) except during a scheduled program or tour.

For all ages, children under 3 are free. Adult attendance required.

Explore the world of water! Join us as we take a walk to the Stony Brook and visit some macro invertebrates like mayflies, crayfish, and caddisflies. We will use nets and our hands to collect some of these creatures and return them back home into the stream. Wear your boots or water shoes and get ready for some fun in the water!

Ages 4 and up. Pre-registration and adult attendance required.

August

Join us at our annual Watershed Butterfly Festival – a celebration of family fun to share the joys and wonders of nature.
 
The event will feature tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House and the Insect Zoo. Enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the day, including animal shows featuring Eyes of the Wild. Young children will delight in being a part of the famous “Butterfly and Bug Parade” led by Lady Monarch, Ms. Allison. Adults and older children can learn about watersheds and the need to protect our rivers, lakes and streams through educational hands-on exhibits.
 
Food and drink will be available for sale. Butterfly wings and other fun items can be purchased at the Watershed Gift Shop. 
 
Please note that dogs are not permitted at the Butterfly Festival.
 

Pre-registration is strongly recommended.

Price: $10 per person or $30 per carload (up to six people).

The Butterfly Festival is held rain or shine. No refunds are offered in the case of inclement weather.

This event will be photographed and filmed. If you have any concerns, please speak with a member of our staff.

Special thanks to our 2026 festival sponsors: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Capital Health

Join Watershed Educator Alison Novobilsky for a fun filled tour of the Butterfly House, lesson of the butterfly’s lifecycle and venture out to the meadow with nets to catch butterflies. Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed for the weather with 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.

butterfly house tours the watershed institute pennington new jersey

Join us for a guided tour of The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House to view and learn about local butterfly species. If time and weather allows, we will try catching wild butterflies in the field. Cameras welcome. Butterfly House Tours are held weekly on Thursdays from 10AM-11AM through the summer. Advance registration required.

The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House is handicap-accessible, free and open daily from dawn until dusk (mid-June through mid-September) except during a scheduled program or tour.

For all ages, children under 3 are free. Adult attendance required.

Join Watershed Educator Alison Novobilsky to learn cool things about spiders, their habitats, webs and how they help us. We’ll search for spiders around the Watershed, make a cute craft and play some fun games. Classes generally include a craft, hike, and activity for the week’s theme. We spend time outdoors each week, so come dressed for the weather with 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.

butterfly house tours the watershed institute pennington new jersey

Join us for a guided tour of The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House to view and learn about local butterfly species. If time and weather allows, we will try catching wild butterflies in the field. Cameras welcome. Butterfly House Tours are held weekly on Thursdays from 10AM-11AM through the summer. Advance registration required.

The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House is handicap-accessible, free and open daily from dawn until dusk (mid-June through mid-September) except during a scheduled program or tour.

For all ages, children under 3 are free. Adult attendance required.

When: Monday, August 17 from 9:00AM-4:00PM 

Where: The Watershed Institute

Schools are places for inspiration and change. By becoming a River-Friendly school, you can immerse your students in water related lessons and projects while improving the health of local waterways. 

Our River-Friendly Teacher Academy will prepare you to get your school River-Friendly certified.  The training will focus on the four tenants of the certification program: 

  • Water Quality 
  • Water Conservation 
  • Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement 
  • Outreach to Parents and Communities

     

You will learn from the Watershed Institute’s Educators, River-Friendly Coordinator, plus hear from local teachers who have successfully attained River-Friendly Certification. 

All teachers will also become certified in Project WET (Water Education Today) and leave with a curriculum guide of lesson plans for use in your classroom. 

This program is suitable for teachers in grade K- 12 who want to teach their students about clean water and help their school to become River-Friendly. 

StreamWatch Schools is a water-quality monitoring program led by students. We focus on collecting data from a body of water close to your school, but you can still get involved if you don’t have easy and reliable stream access.  Our biological and chemical tests for this program are hands-on, informative, and engaging for all grade levels. Students love it because it allows them to connect with nature and observe small animals living in the water. StreamWatch Schools lessons also touch on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for science. This academy gives you a chance to practice collecting and analyzing water-quality data, so you’re prepared to bring those skills back to your classroom. 

This program is intended for formal educators in public and private school settings. If you’re an informal educator please reach out to Davis dbush@thewatershed.org to see how this may be applicable to your students.  Biological and Chemical monitoring equipment will be provided upon completion of the Academy and there is a potential for a stipend. You may also choose to request support from Watershed staff when you do the water quality testing with your students.

What are you looking for?