Summer Programs at the JC NERR!

Hello there,

Are you ready for summer? The JC NERR certainly is! We are hosting a variety of programs for all ages from June through August. Popular programs like Creature Features and our estuary boat tours are returning along with some new programs such as a plankton lab and a mindfulness trail walk along the Grassle Marsh Trail. It's going to be an exciting summer! Please see details below.

Sincerely, Kaitlin Gannon

gannon@marine.rutgers.edu

Creature Feature Programs

Creature Features are summer nature programs for children grades 1-7. Programs will include themes like sharks, oysters, soil science and more! Plus we'll do fun activities, meet guest scientists, and explore the outdoors. Click on the link to register and get all the details about this summer's Creature Feature programs!

We're now accepting registrations!

When: Every Tuesday morning from June 25th-July 30th, 2024. 6 weeks total

Time: 9:30am-11:00am

Where: 130 Great Bay Blvd. Tuckerton, NJ All programs will be in-person, both indoors and outdoors.

Click here to register!

Family Fun

Plankton Laboratory

When: Saturday June 22nd 2024

Time: 10:00am-11:30am

Where: JC NERR. 130 Great Bay Blvd. Tuckerton, NJ. 08087

Click here to register

Plankton is more than just an evil character on a popular kids TV show, plankton are necessary for a healthy and functioning marine ecosystem and a healthy planet! In this program, we will learn about what plankton really are, collect a plankton sample at our observation dock and then view live plankton under microscopes! Lead by JC NERR Education Coordinator, Kaitlin Gannon. This program is best for children 6 years old and over. Dress for the outdoors!

Critter Catch!

When: Thursday, July 25th, 2024

Time: 10:00am-11:00am

Where: Meet at the 130 Great Bay Blvd. Tuckerton, NJ. 08087 at 9:45am

Click here to register

Join JC NERR Education Coordinator Kaitlin Gannon for a fun morning of catching marsh critters! We will be using a seine net and small dip nets to explore the marsh edge and see what kind of fish and invertebrates may live there. Along with identifying caught critters, this session also will touch on marsh biodiversity and the importance of a healthy food web. Make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and shoes/clothing for getting wet

This program is best for children 6 years old and over. Dress for the outdoors!

Out and About

Mindfulness within the Estuary

When: Thursday July 18th

Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm

Where: JC NERR Coastal Center. 130 Great Bay Blvd. Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Click here to register

Nature can be a powerful place to rest the mind and reset from our busy lives. If you feel like you need a break, come join us on this mindfulness walk through the JC NERR's Grassle Marsh Trail. Here, we will pause and simply enjoy our surroundings with some mindfulness exercises and simple nature journaling. Facilitated by JC NERR education coordinator, Kaitlin Gannon.

This program is open to adults and children over the age of 6.

Seaport/JC NERR Estuary Boat Tours

When: July 3rd, July 24th, and August 22nd, 2024

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm for all days

Where: Tuckerton Seaport, Lighthouse Center Building/dock. 120 W Main St, Tuckerton, NJ 08087.

How to Register: Click here and choose your preferred date.*Note that each tour is the same or similar. Please do not sign up for more than one tour as these are popular programs!

Learn about the bay while on the water! The Tuckerton Seaport and the JC NERR will co-host a special tour of Great Bay onboard the Seaport's 30-foot pontoon boat. We will take in the sites and sounds of the bay through nature viewing, conduct some hands-on activities, discuss Tuckerton's history and various JC NERR and Rutgers monitoring programs.

The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve| (609) 249-8822| 130 Great Bay Blvd. Tuckerton, NJ 08087 | www.jcnerr.org