Christmas Bird Count 2023
2023-12-14 00:00 - 2024-01-05 23:59 (America/New_York) | NJ
Christmas Bird Count 2023

This December, the National Audubon Society is organizing its 124th Christmas Bird Count. This is when volunteers conduct bird counts all across the country. These counts take place Thursday, December 14, 2023 to Friday, January 5, 2024. Each count occurs within a 15 mile wide diameter circle. The nearest one to us is the Princeton Circle which includes portions of Pennington and Hopewell. You can find other bird count circles close to you through National Audubon Society here.

Please visit: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count for more information.

If you live within the circle, you can register to be a feeder counter if you would rather not go outside. You can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day. You must register with the count compiler to participate, email Brad Merritt if you want to help (balmerritt@aol.com) Visit the National Audubon Society website for more details.

This is a great way to help the Audubon Society gather information about bird species in our area and it is FREE to participate.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2024-02-18 09:00 | Heritage Preserve, 1500-1564 Reed Rd, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States
Please join Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space on Sunday, February 18 at 9AM for the Great Backyard Bird Count at the Heritage Preserve on Reed Road. We will be helping to count birds to take a real time snapshot of birds in our area. Our list will help researchers learn about how birds are doing, if populations are changing or remaining stable. We will walk the trail and count what we see and hear. The list will then be submitted to eBird, a website dedicated to birds.

Or, if you prefer, you can count birds in your own backyard. The GBBC lasts from February 16-19. Spend at least 15 minutes (or longer) on any of those days counting the birds you encounter and submit the list to eBird, or send it to us and we can submit it for you. This can be done anywhere and anytime. The GBBC is a fun way to help the birds and you don’t have to leave the house if you don’t want to.

Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars if you have them. Please be aware that the trail may be verymuddy or snow covered! To register, please email bcraighead@fohvos.org

17th Strike Team Annual Conference
2024-04-17 09:00 - 16:00 | Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough, NJ, 08844, United States
Conference Schedule of Events
9 AM Check-In & Continental Breakfast
9:15 AM WelcomeMargaret Waldock, Executive Director Duke Farms
9:30 AM State of New Jersey Invasive Species Michael Van Clef, Strike Team Program Director
9:45 AM Count Parks Invasive Species Management & Restoration Case StudiesMercer Count Parks, Morris County Parks, Monmouth County Parks
11:00 AM Engaging the Public and the Language of Invasives Michele Bakacs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM NRCS Invasive Species Programs & ProjectsDon Donnelly, NRCS State Forester
2:00 PM Into the Weeds: How to Garden Like a ForagerTama Matsuoka, Author
3:00 PM Session WorkshopsSession A: Importance of Trees & Cool Tools and TechniquesScott Breeman, Conservation Coordinator, Duke FarmsBeth Craighead, Senior Land Steward, Strike Team
Session B: Foraging Walk with Tama MatsuokaTama Matsuoka, Author

Meet the Speakers

Available Continuing Education Credits

Duke Farms Master Ecologist Program - Forest & Invasive Species Ecology
2024-05-18 09:00 - 13:00 | Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough, NJ, 08844, United States
FoHVOS Annual Ted Stiles Memorial Hike

FoHVOS Stewardship Director and Strike Team Program Director Mike Van Clef will be instructing a course on Forest & Invasive Species Ecology as part of Duke Farms’ Master Ecologist certification course.
The Master Ecologist certification course is an adult education series designed for environmental educators, land managers and stewards, private landowners, natural resource professionals, and community members with a passion for our natural environment. This 8-month course provides the basic foundations for understanding ecological processes and concepts, survey methods, and management techniques. Each month will introduce a new field topic and students will participate in an in-person lecture and outdoor field session related to the month’s topic.
More information and registration details can be found at Duke Farms Events Page

Spring Stewardship Workshop
2024-05-31 08:30 - 15:00 | Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough, NJ, 08844, United States
Spring Stewardship Workshop

Workshop Overview
Led by FoHVOS Stewardship Director and Invasive Species Strike Team Program Director Mike Van Clef, the Spring Stewardship Workshop caters to land stewards and property owners seeking to enhance the effective management of their natural resources. This concise, expert-led course aims to equip participants with fundamental knowledge, fostering a comprehensive understanding of prudent stewardship practices.
This program assumes participants have a basic knowledge of native plant species identification and understand general ecology concepts. Please note that field classes will take place fully outdoors and will require traveling several miles on various trail types (paved and unpaved) and uneven terrain for up to 2 hours.
Featured Topics:

Identification of invasive plants
Prioritization of invasive management
Application of spring season-specific techniques for invasive plant management

About The Instructor:
Mike Van Clef is the FoHVOS Stewardship Director and Invasive Species Strike Team Program Director. He joined FoHVOS in 2007 and co-founded the Strike Team in 2008 with the goal of bringing greater efficiency and effectiveness to invasive species management. Mike has a Ph.D. in ecology from Rutgers University and over 25 years of experience in land stewardship, planning and research, working extensively in the evaluation and management of rare and invasive species and deer management. He has consulted with over 30 organizations in NJ including the NJ Invasive Species Council for which he prepared the New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species.

REGISTRATION

National Trails Day Guided Hike
2024-06-01 10:00 - 12:00 | NJ
National Trails Day Guided Hike

National Trails Day takes place on the first Saturday in June to bring appreciation and volunteer service to trails. This year we are celebrating with a leisurely guided hike at our Marshalls Corner Preserve at 10am.
This preserve’s trail runs alongside old fields, through forest, and provides great views of our restored wildflower meadow; once overgrown with invasive plants, it is now populated with native wildflowers such as milkweed, bee balm and goldenrod. Along the way, we will enjoy the sounds and sights of the season by listening for birds, watching butterflies and seeking out wildflowers.

Register

This event is FREE

Strike Team Community Field Workshop
2024-06-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Huber Woods Park, 25 Browns Dock Rd, Locust, New Jersey, 07760
Strike Team Community Field Workshop

Please join us for our 5th annual Community Field Workshop! It will be hosted by Monmouth County Parks on June 1st at Huber Woods. The goal of this event is to showcase model volunteer stewardship efforts that we hope will inspire and teach volunteers and all land stewards across the state. This event is rain (indoors) or shine (outdoors). Sandwiches and refreshments will be served.
About the site:Huber Woods Park, 390 acres of preserved forests and meadows overlooking the Navesink River, features a diverse habitat that provides resources for unique wildlife species. However, due to past agricultural disturbance and the dieback of native ash trees, invasive plant species such as porcelain berry, multiflora rose, and mugwort began to proliferate. Recent ecological restorations are a collaboration between natural & historic resources staff, park rangers, naturalists, private contractors, and most importantly, the dedicated volunteers of the Monmouth County Invasive Plant Strike Force.

Register

This event is FREE

Morning Bird Walk at Mt. Rose Preserve
2024-06-06 07:30 - 09:30 | Mount Rose Preserve, Mount Rose Preserve, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
Morning Bird Walk at Mt. Rose Preserve

FoHVOS and New Jersey Conservation Foundation are co-hosting a casual morning bird walk for birders (and bird watchers) of all skill levels. Join us for a stroll through meadow and woodland, with a stop at our reforestation project, to observe and enjoy the songbirds breeding here this season.
Binoculars will be available for loan during the program. This walk will be led by Jenn Rogers, Executive Director of FoHVOS.

Register

This event is FREE

Seasonal Nature Walk at Fiddler's Creek Preserve
2024-06-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Fiddler’s Creek Preserve, 43 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville, NJ, 08560, United States
Seasonal Nature Walk at Fiddler’s Creek Preserve

Fiddler’s Creek Preserve had been the “missing piece” of preserved land between Washington Crossing State Park and Baldpate Mountain for many years. After being protected in 2010, a large-scale reforestation was implemented.
We’ll walk on shady creek-side trails, through 40 acres of young forest, and stop by Wild Bird Research Group’s bird banding station. This is a great opportunity to stretch your legs, understand the role of restoration in our community, explore a new preserve, and possibly see a few songbirds up-close! This hike is led by Jenn Rogers, Executive Director of FoHVOS.

Register

This event is FREE

FoHVOS Annual Butterfly Count
2024-07-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Marshalls Corner Preserve, 95 Pennington-Hopewell Road, Hopewell, New Jersey, 08534, United States
FoHVOS Annual Butterfly Count

Please join us on Sunday, July 7th at our Marshalls Corner Preserve to help count butterflies. We will be walking the trail through the restored meadow and looking for these flying beauties as we go. Once we are done at Marshalls Corner, we will head over to Baldpate Mountain to search the restored meadow there. No experience is necessary.
If you plan to join us, meet at the Marshalls Corner Preserve on Route 654 at 9AM on Sunday, July 7. For questions, email bcraighead@fohvos.org.

Register

This event is in partnership with the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Every summer, NABA organizes counts across the country to understand the geographical distribution and relative population sizes of butterfly species throughout North America. FoHVOS has participated in these counts since 2012, to understand the butterfly communities on our preserves. To date, we have counted 1,498 butterflies representing 47 species!

SUMMER HIKE SERIES - Eames Preserve
2024-07-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Eames Preserve, 39 Harbourton Woodsville Road, Pennington, Pennington, NJ 08534, United States
SUMMER HIKE SERIES – EAMES PRESERVE

Please join us on Friday July 19 at our Eames Preserve for an evening hike. On this 1.6 mile loop we will walk through groves of mature beeches, fields of wildflowers and native grasses, and portions of the Woodsville Brook floodplain.
The walk will take place from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. Registration is required. There is limited parking on site.

Register

This hike is part of the FoHVOS SUMMER HIKE SERIES. Join FoHVOS throughout the growing season (through October), to discover a variety of great hikes in our preserves! We’ll host two hikes each month, a morning weekend hike and an evening hike, as daylight allows. These events are planned to keep a casual to modest pace, and will include stops to interpret seasonal nature, from bird song and butterfly behavior to summer wildflower identification and insect-admiring. Terrain will differ with each hike, depending on location.
These hikes will be led by our Executive Director, Jenn Rogers. No experience is necessary to join these hikes, just advanced registration, as parking lot and trail conditions limit the number of participants. If you have binoculars, and like using them, bring them along too!

SUMMER HIKE SERIES - Kulak & Lawrence Preserves
2024-08-10 07:30 - 09:00 | Kulak Preserve, 25 Featherbed Lane, Hopewell, New Jersey, 08525, United States
SUMMER HIKE SERIES KULAK & LAWRENCE PRESERVES

Please join us on Saturday August 10th at our Kulak & Lawrence Preserves for a morning hike. On this out and back trail we will explore the Stony Brook corridor, featuring a mature forest of tulip trees, sugar maple and Christmas fern.
The walk will take place from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. Registration is required due to limited parking.

Register

This hike is part of the FoHVOS SUMMER HIKE SERIES. Join FoHVOS throughout the growing season (through October), to discover a variety of great hikes in our preserves! We’ll host two hikes each month, a morning weekend hike and an evening hike, as daylight allows. These events are planned to keep a casual to modest pace, and will include stops to interpret seasonal nature, from bird song and butterfly behavior to summer wildflower identification and insect-admiring. Terrain will differ with each hike, depending on location.
These hikes will be led by our Executive Director, Jenn Rogers. No experience is necessary to join these hikes, just advanced registration, as parking lot and trail conditions limit the number of participants. If you have binoculars, and like using them, bring them along too!

SUMMER HIKE SERIES - Mount Rose Preserve
2024-08-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Mount Rose Preserve, Mount Rose Preserve, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
SUMMER HIKE SERIES MOUNT ROSE

Please join us on Friday August 16th at Mount Rose Preserve for an evening hike. One of our newer trails, we will explore early successional red cedar stands and a mature forest of mixed hardwoods and American beech. The forest trail also goes past our forest restoration project, featuring a deer exclosure protecting native plants from excessive browse.
The walk will take place from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. Registration is required due to limited parking.

Register

This hike is part of the FoHVOS SUMMER HIKE SERIES. Join FoHVOS throughout the growing season (through October), to discover a variety of great hikes in our preserves! We’ll host two hikes each month, a morning weekend hike and an evening hike, as daylight allows. These events are planned to keep a casual to modest pace, and will include stops to interpret seasonal nature, from bird song and butterfly behavior to summer wildflower identification and insect-admiring. Terrain will differ with each hike, depending on location.
These hikes will be led by our Executive Director, Jenn Rogers. No experience is necessary to join these hikes, just advanced registration, as parking lot and trail conditions limit the number of participants. If you have binoculars, and like using them, bring them along too!

FoHVOS Fundraising Gala
2024-09-15 16:00 - 19:00 | Glenmoore Farm, 105 Pennington - Hopewell Road, Hopewell, New Jersey, 08525, United States
Join Us for a Toast to Trails on Sunday September 15th

Event Details

Strike Team Potluck
2024-10-26 12:00 - 14:00 | NJ
As the field season winds down, it’s time to relax a bit over good company and good food. Join us Saturday October 26th for the this year’s Strike Team Potluck Social. Colleagues, private landowners, hunters, and stewardship volunteers come together to enjoy BYO wild edible food recipes and engage in captivating stewardship discussions. This event is graciously hosted at a private residence in Hopewell, NJ. Registration for this event is required.

Hatch A Hundred Info Session
2024-12-01 14:00 - 15:30 | NJ
Hatch A Hundred Info Session

FoHVOS has the most successful kestrel nesting program in the state and has partnered with Wild Bird Research Group to expand upon this success. Beginning in 2025, we’re working together to attempt a never-attempted goal: hatch 100 kestrel chicks in the Hopewell Valley area. To do this, we need our community’s support.

Join us Sunday December 1st to learn more about this fascinating falcon, their plight and this new chapter in their existence. This public program will be co-led by FoHVOS and WBRG staff. Registration for this event is required.

Christmas Bird Count 2024
2024-12-15 08:00 - 12:00 | NJ
Christmas Bird Count 2024

This December, the National Audubon Society is organizing its 125th Christmas Bird Count. Bird enthusiasts around the country will be conducting local bird counts from Saturday, December 14, 2024 through Sunday, January 5, 2025. Counts occur within a 15 mile wide diameter circle. The nearest one to us is the Princeton Circle which includes portions of Pennington and Hopewell.FoHVOS staff will be participating on Sunday December 15th in the Princeton Circle. We will visit Curlis Lake Woods, Rosedale Park and other local sites. You can participate in the count by registering with the count compiler Brad Merritt at balmerritt@aol.com AT LEAST ONE WEEK before the count.

Please visit: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count for more information. You can find other bird count circles close to you through National Audubon Society here.

If you live within the circle, you can register to be a feeder counter if you would rather not go outside. You can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day. You must register with count compiler Brad Merritt (balmerritt@aol.com) if you want to help.

This is a great way to help the Audubon Society gather information about bird species in our area and it is FREE to participate.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2025-02-16 09:00 - 12:00 | NJ
Please join Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space on Sunday, February 16 at 9AM for the Great Backyard Bird Count at the Heritage Preserve on Reed Road. We will be helping to count birds to take a real time snapshot of birds in our area. Our list will help researchers learn about how birds are doing, if populations are changing or remaining stable. We will walk the trail and count what we see and hear. The list will then be submitted to eBird, a website dedicated to birds.

Or, if you prefer, you can count birds in your own backyard. The GBBC lasts from February 14-17. Spend at least 15 minutes (or longer) on any of those days counting the birds you encounter and submit the list to eBird, or send it to us and we can submit it for you. This can be done anywhere and anytime. The GBBC is a fun way to help the birds and you don’t have to leave the house if you don’t want to.

Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars if you have them. Please be aware that the trail may be verymuddy or snow covered! Click on the registration link below, or email bcraighead@fohvos.org with any questions.

Sign up for the GBBC!

Vernal Pool Hike
2025-03-29 13:00 - 14:30 | Heritage Preserve, 1500-1564 Reed Rd, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States
Vernal Pool Hike

Join FoHVOS Land Steward Dana on Saturday, March 29th to visit vernal pools at Heritage Preserve. Vernal pools are important breeding habitat for amphibians like spring peepers, spotted salamanders and wood frogs. Unlike other bodies of water, vernal pools are temporary, usually drying up by mid-summer. On this guided hike, we plan to visit some vernal pool sites and see (and hear!) evidence of amphibian activity. This hike will be at a leisurely pace on marked trails. Be sure to bring water and wear shoes appropriate for hiking in wet areas.
The walk will take place from 1:00PM to 2:30PM. Registration is required. There is limited parking on site.

Register

Just Birds with Jack & Jenn
2025-04-12 08:00 - 10:00 | Mount Rose Preserve, Mount Rose Preserve, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
Just Birds with Jack & Jenn

Jack and Jenn started birding together over 10 years ago, and have since worked together on several bird conservation projects in central NJ. Beginning this spring, they are teaming up to host public bird walks at FoHVOS preserves. These interpretive bird walks are open to all, but especially geared towards newer and beginning birders. Please bring your own binoculars, we’ll provide the rest! Registration for this event is required.
Date: Saturday April 12
Time: 8:00AM-10:00AM
Location: Mount Rose Preserve

Register

18th Strike Team Annual Conference
2025-04-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough, NJ, 08844, United States
Conference Schedule of Events
9 AM Check-In & Continental Breakfast
9:15 AM WelcomeMargaret Waldock, Executive Director Duke Farms
9:30 AM Assessing Deer Population Densities in Northern NJ Dr. Jay Kelly, Raritan Valley Community College
10:30 AM Break
11:00 AM Implementation of Invasive Weed Control Program: The Planning, Tools and Tricks to achieve successful outcomesDrew O’Neill, Weeds, Inc.
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Pest and Pathogens of New Jersey: What’s Next?Ben Pisano, New Jersey Forest Service
2:00 PM Wyeth-Duke Farms Forested Floodplain Restoration ProjectJohn Jengo, Stantec & Michael Bellaus, Duke Farms
2:45 PM Break
3:00PM State of New Jersey Invasive SpeciesDr. Michael Van Clef, Strike Team Program Director

Meet the Speakers

Get Tickets

Available Continuing Education Credits

Spring Ephemeral Walk
2025-04-19 09:00 - 10:30 | Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve, Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States
Spring Ephemeral Walk

Join FoHVOS Land Steward Kaitlin Saturday April 19th for a hike at Woosamonsa Ridge where we will search for the beautiful, but short-lived, spring ephemerals! Spring ephemerals are woodland wildflowers that bloom in the brief window between snow melt and tree leaf-out. On this guided hike, we hope to spot species like bloodroot, rue anemone, wild geranium and learn about the signs of spring. This hike will be at a leisurely pace on trails. Be sure to bring water and wear shoes appropriate for hiking.
The walk will take place from 9:00AM to 10:30AM. Registration is required. There is limited parking on site.

Register

Curlis Woods Walk and Talk
2025-04-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Curlis Lake Woods, 431B Federal City Road, Pennington, New Jersey, 08534, United States
Curlis Woods Walk and Talk

FoHVOS’s inaugural president Jack Gleeson was among the first to recognize the ecological importance of Curlis Lake Woods. For 32 years, the forest has been preserved from development and enjoyed by both hikers and wildlife. Curlis Woods has one of the largest mature stands of American beech in Central Jersey, that is sadly threatened by beech leaf disease. Join FoHVOS Stewardship Director Dr. Michael Van Clef on a walk to learn more about the state of American beech trees and the ongoing efforts by FoHVOS and Mercer County Parks to mitigate the impacts of losing an important forest species. This hike will be at a leisurely pace on trails. Be sure to bring water and wear shoes appropriate for hiking. Parking is at the Mercer Meadows Equestrian Center.
The walk will take place from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. Registration is required.

Register

Curlis Woods Tree Planting
2025-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Curlis Lake Woods, 431B Federal City Road, Pennington, New Jersey, 08534, United States
Curlis Lake Woods has one of the largest mature stands of American beech in Central Jersey, but it is unfortunately threatened by the presence of beech leaf disease. To mitigate the anticipated loss of American beech in our forests, FoHVOS and Mercer County Parks Commission are hosting a community event to plant over 1,000 native trees and shrubs in Curlis Woods. Planting species like shagbark hickory, mockernut hickory, and oak will help restore the forest canopy and preserve this beloved lakeshore trail. Planting tools will be provided, please bring gloves and water.
This event will take place from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. Registration is required. Parking will be at Mercer Meadows Equestrian Center.

Register

FoHVOS Annual Hike
2025-05-04 09:00 - 11:30 | Baldpate Mountain, 28 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville, NJ, 08560, United States
When: Sunday May 4th, 9am-11:30am
Where: Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain

About: FoHVOS and Mercer County are hosting the Ted Stiles Memorial Hike at Baldpate Mountain. This community event was held annually in honor of former FoHVOS president Ted Stiles, whose vision and dedication helped direct the preservation of thousands of acres in Hopewell Valley, including Baldpate. We are bringing this hike back in 2025, and beginning this year, we’ll also be celebrating the longstanding partnership between our organizations that has led to impactful (and many) restoration projects to protect and preserve the Mountain’s many ecological features.
This year, we are offering not one but three themed hikes led by FoHVOS staff. All hikes will begin at 9 am and will focus on a different topic and will last about 90 min. After the hikes, all groups will meet at the historic lodge near the Baldpate mansion for coffee and donuts and meaningful community discussion.
Hike descriptions are below. Please only register for the hike you plan to attend. All hikes will begin at 9am.

Hike Option #1: Stewardship Hike
Baldpate Mountain was a huge preservation success for Hopewell Valley and Mercer County – for its size, but also conservation values. Rare species, both plant and animal find refuge at the preserve. To best care for these species and their communities, the co-owners and managers of Baldpate collaborate on restoration planning initiatives, implementation, and their maintenance. Join the stewardship directors of FoHVOS and Mercer County on this hike to learn more about the two decades of collaborate conservation efforts on the mountain.
Hike Option #2: Guided Botanical Walk
Did you know there are 24 rare plant species documented at Baldpate Mountain? FoHVOS routinely monitor these rare plants to track population status and better inform our stewardship efforts. Join FoHVOS Land Stewards Dana and Kaitlin on a trail walk where we will focus on identifying some of the many plants found at Baldpate and discuss some of the work FoHVOS does to protect them.
Hike Option #3: Birding the Baldpate Driveway
For nearly 20 years, birding the driveway of Baldpate has almost been its own rite of spring for our local nature enthusiasts. Join FoHVOS Executive Director Jenn and local community scientist Jack, for a picturesque stroll and search for our colorful harbingers of spring, all the way to the summit of the mountain. In addition to filling our forests and souls with song, these neotropical migrants played an important role in the preservation of Baldpate. BYOB: Please bring your own binoculars.

Register for a Hike!

Directions: Enter at 28 Fiddlers Creek Road and follow the driveway all the way up to the parking lot at the summit, near the Baldpate mansion.

Just Birds with Jack & Jenn
2025-05-17 08:00 - 10:00 | Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve, Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States
Just Birds with Jack & Jenn

Jack and Jenn started birding together over 10 years ago, and have since worked together on several bird conservation projects in central NJ. Beginning this spring, they are teaming up to host public bird walks at FoHVOS preserves. These interpretive bird walks are open to all, but especially geared towards newer and beginning birders. Please bring your own binoculars, we’ll provide the rest! Registration for this event is required.
Date: Saturday May 17
Time: 8:00AM-10:00AM
Location: Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve

Register

Just Birds with Jack & Jenn
2025-06-07 08:00 - 09:30 | Fiddler’s Creek Preserve, 43 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville, NJ, 08560, United States
Just Birds with Jack & Jenn

Jack and Jenn started birding together over 10 years ago, and have since worked together on several bird conservation projects in central NJ. Beginning this spring, they are teaming up to host public bird walks at FoHVOS preserves. These interpretive bird walks are open to all, but especially geared towards newer and beginning birders. Please bring your own binoculars, we’ll provide the rest! Registration for this event is required.
Date: Saturday June 7
Time: 8:00AM-9:30AM
Location: Fiddler’s Creek Preserve

Register

National Trails Day Hike
2025-06-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Heritage Preserve, 1500-1564 Reed Rd, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States
National Trails Day Hike

In celebration of National Trails Day, FoHVOS is hosting a guided hike on Saturday June 7th. This hike will take place at Heritage Preserve and will be led by long-time FoHVOS volunteer Serge Goldstein. Join Serge as he points out the unique nature features and discusses the impact of the small forest fire that occurred at the Preserve last fall.
About Our Preserve: Heritage Preserve was acquired in 2008 and features a unique trail experience that takes a visitor through several stages of forest succession—meadow, forested wetlands of red maples, mature forest, and a dense stand of sweet gum. In the spring, beautiful displays of woodland wildflowers like spring beauty, Canada mayflower and trout lily take up the forest floor. The wetlands are also home to vernal pools that many amphibians rely on for breeding.
Date: Saturday June 7
Time: 10:00AM
Location: Heritage Preserve

Register

Strike Team Private Land Workshop
2025-06-28 10:00 - 12:00 | 287 Hopewell-Amwell Road, 287 Hopewell-Amwell Road, Hopewell, New Jersey, 08525, United States
About: The Strike Team is hosting a series of Private Land Workshops. Come and learn about the amazing stewardship efforts performed by local residents on their own properties! Our first workshop will be at a private residence in Hopewell that is a member of FoHVOS’s Residential Community Conservation program.
When: Saturday, June 28 10am-12pm
Where: Hopewell, NJ

Register

This event is FREE

FoHVOS Annual Butterfly Count
2025-07-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Marshalls Corner Preserve, 95 Pennington-Hopewell Road, Hopewell, New Jersey, 08534, United States
FoHVOS Annual Butterfly Count

Please join us on Sunday, July 6th at our Marshalls Corner Preserve to help count butterflies. We will be walking the trail through the restored meadow and looking for these flying beauties as we go. Once we are done at Marshalls Corner, we will head over to Baldpate Mountain to search the restored meadow there. No experience is necessary. If you have, bring binoculars to help see butterflies from far away!
If you plan to join us, meet at the Marshalls Corner Preserve on Route 654 at 9AM on Sunday, July 6. For questions, email bcraighead@fohvos.org.

Register

This event is in partnership with the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Every summer, NABA organizes counts across the country to understand the geographical distribution and relative population sizes of butterfly species throughout North America. FoHVOS has participated in these counts since 2012, to understand the butterfly communities on our preserves. To date, we have counted 1,498 butterflies representing 47 species!
