Community Events and Information

Youth Birding Mentor Program – FREE, Multiple dates, April - November Youth Birding Mentor Program | New Jersey AudubonAre you interested in honing your birding skills and teaching young people to love birding? This seven part certificate course will help you improve your ID skills, help you learn the skills needed to teach youth effectively, and provide training and opportunities for working with NJ Audubon as a Youth Birding Mentor.

Nature Book Club – FREE, April 29^th, May 27^th at 6:30pm Meets at Oakland Public Library Nature Book Club | New Jersey AudubonApril book: Devotions by Mary Oliver
May book: Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Friday Morning Bird Walks – FREE for Members/ $5 for non-members, Friday May-October 8am Friday Morning Bird Walks | New Jersey Audubon 
Join us at Lorrimer Sanctuary at 8AM on Fridays for a gentle birding stroll around the grounds. Learn how to identify and listen for bird species of all kinds during this hour-long birding program. From May-Oct, we’ll walk the trails at Lorrimer Sanctuary looking for birds of all kinds including beautiful migratory warbler species that will only stop in NJ for a short time on their way north. This program is open to all birders, from beginner to experienced! Great for adults or families.

Native Plant Sale – Saturday, May 3^rd 10a – 4p Native Plant Sales | New Jersey Audubon 
Shop a selection of over 30 species of native plants for your garden, chat with our naturalists to find the perfect plant for your space, and support the nature center’s mission!

Tiny Tots World Series of Birding – FREE, Saturday May 10^th at 11am, World Series of Birding: Lorrimer Sanctuary Tiny Tots - New Jersey Audubon Society
Lorrimer Sanctuary’s Tiny Tots Team welcomes the youngest birders, those 18 months to 5 years, to search the Sanctuary for birds! For many of our team members, this is their first birdwatching experience EVER, so we make this day super fun with a scavenger hunt, touchable items, and crafts! Support the Tiniest Birders and our Lorrimer Sanctuary by donating to our team! Let us know you are coming by joining the team! Sign up to be a member of our World Series of Birding team HERE (no registration fees): This is a fundraiser to help support NJ Audubon. All the money you raise is earmarked for Lorrimer Sanctuary and will go directly to providing for our future programs.

Spring Migration Bird Walk at Ramapo Reservation - $8 for Member/$10 for non-member, Saturday May 31^st 7:30am, Spring Migration Bird Walk at Ramapo Reservation | New Jersey Audubon
Join us for a busy migration morning full of birdsong at Ramapo Reservation! Open to all birders, beginner or advanced. Bring your enthusiasm and observation skills to this magical migration bird walk! We will meet in the parking lot at Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah, NJ. We will be out for about 2 hours, enjoying the sights and sounds of late spring migration in a beautiful, forested area. Open to birders of all ages and skill levels. Children under 16 must have an adult present. This is not a drop-off program.

Spring Twilight Hike – Free for Members/$5 for non-members, Tuesday June 3^rd at 6:30pm Spring Twilight Hike | New Jersey Audubon
Join us for a magical spring stroll under the lovely twilight sky, where we’ll walk the trails and enjoy the sounds of the evening forest. Join us for an enchanting spring evening at Lorrimer Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as we embark on a leisurely stroll through the sanctuary’s serene trails. As the sun sets, witness the magical transformation of the surroundings. Listen to the symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves and breathe in the fresh air. This in-person event is a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with nature, and rejuvenate your senses. So, grab your walking shoes and come experience the tranquility! This is an all-ages event.

Be A Volunteer (Volunteers of Lorrimer) Info and Training – Free, June 10^th, July 1^st, July 15^th at 3pm VOL Volunteers of Lorrimer Info and Training | New Jersey Audubon
Become a VOLunteer. The Volunteers Of Lorrimer are an integral part of Lorrimer Sanctuary! Join us for an afternoon filled with learning and fun. These in-person events will provide you with all the information and training you need to become a valuable volunteer at the sanctuary. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just looking to give back to the community, we’ve got opportunities for you to serve! Come meet like-minded individuals and make a difference in the world. We can’t wait to see you there!

SCHEDULE:

• June 10th – General Volunteer Information, join us to learn about Lorrimer Sanctuary, our volunteer needs, future plans, and get to know our staff and other volunteers.
• July 1st – Lorrimer Store Training – for those interested in joining our Gift Shop Volunteer Team, this meeting will share our store practices, customer engagement, and point of sale system.
• July 15th – Lorrimer Garden Training – for those interested in tending to our native plant garden and doing stewardship projects throughout the grounds.

Nature Infused Cocktail Workshop - $35 for members/ $40 for non-members, Thursday June 12^th at 6:30pm ADULTS ONLY Nature Infused Cocktail Workshop | New Jersey Audubon
Learn the art of infusion with natural ingredients to create a take-home creation. Join us for an adult only program focused on infusing nature into your favorite adult beverages. We’ll be using some locally sourced native plants and popular craft cocktail embellishments. Each participant will craft two take-home infusions to pair with their favorite spirits and to share with friends and family! Please note, alcohol is not provided at this workshop. This is an indoor event with a brief outdoor excursion. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Prickly and Poisonous: A Sinister Garden Walk - $8 for members/$10 for non-members, Saturday June 14^th at 10am Poisonous Plants – The Sinister Garden Walk | New Jersey Audubon
Following the footprint of Lorrimer Sanctuary’s past “Sinister Garden”, we’ll be observing and learning to recognize some of NJ’s poisonous plants. From common garden weeds to well-known ornamental plants to native forest plants, this walk features something for everyone! Head out on a guided tour through our trails, where you’ll encounter a variety of fascinating poisonous plants that have intrigued humans for thousands of years. Our knowledgeable staff will share anecdotes and cautionary tales about these cool (and occasionally sinister!) plants.

Discover the secrets behind well-known plants like Foxglove, Bleeding Heart, and Nightshade as well as their less well-known peers! Learn about their toxic properties, historical uses, the myths and legends surrounding them, and their effects on local wildlife.This event is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages! Don’t miss out on this unique chance to explore the darker side of the botanical world. This is not a drop-off program. Any children must be accompanied by an adult.

Summer Camp – Prices vary by program, membership required, June 23^rd through August 29^th, Pre-k through 8^th grade, volunteer opportunities for teens 15+ Summer Nature Camps | New Jersey Audubon
For more than four decades, New Jersey Audubon has been providing exceptional nature camp experiences for children across New Jersey at our State of New Jersey Certified Summer Camps. Lorrimer Sanctuary hosts campers from pre-k through 8^th grade for various program topics over 9 weeks of summer. Campers can expect outdoor immersive experiences, learning about nature, meeting animal ambassadors, creating crafts, making friends, playing games, and having a blast! All camp staff are adults (18+) certified in first aid and CPR and pass a background check.  

Tiny Tots Summer Series - $6 per child for members/ $7 per child for non-members, Thursday July 10^th, 17^th, 24^th,  August 7^th, 14^th, 21^st at 3pm. Tiny Tots – Summer Series | New Jersey Audubon
Toddlers can be naturalists too! Perfect for littles 18 months to 3.5 years old, join us for story time and nature activities! We welcome a new generation of budding naturalists to Lorrimer Sanctuary for this “grown-up-and-me” style program. We will read books, explore outside, and learn about nature in age-appropriate ways for littles! These programs are hands-on and will get children dirty and/or wet. Registration ends at 5 pm the day before each event! This program is best for kids 18 months to 3.5yrs.