NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rutgers University's reach extends beyond the lab or boardroom and into some of the state's wildest areas.

That much was made clear this week with the announcement that Bill Haines Jr., who graduated from the school in 1975, won New Jersey's first-ever National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative's National Fire Bird Conservation Award.

The honor ...

Essex County, NJ – A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of September that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites children and adults to visit the Environmental Center where they can ...

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – The Public Is Invited to experience the Annual Migration of Raptors. The New Jersey Audubon Society invites the public to bring their binoculars, sunscreen and ball caps, as New Jersey Audubon will be gazing to the heavens on September 16 for a hawk watch at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, 11 Hardscrabble Road, in Bernardsville.  Every ...

SHORT HILLS, NJ - The teddy bears are coming back and will parade once more. The second annual Teddy Bear Parade takes place at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary in Short Hills on Saturday, September 9. Residents and surrounding community members are encouraged to bring their favorite fluffy friend for a special snack, adventurous stories and a visit to our Bear Hospital.

NUTLEY, NJ - Hornets built this nest in honor of their queen in Nutley's Memorial Park. 

Hornets, like other social wasps, live in communal homes constructed of papery pulp made from chewed wood. Each nest has one queen. In our region the nest dies in the winter.

Hornets are especially aggressive, especially when threatened. 

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – The Public Is Invited to experience the Annual Migration of Raptors. The New Jersey Audubon Society invites the public to bring their binoculars, sunscreen and ball caps, as New Jersey Audubon will be gazing to the heavens on September 16 for a hawk watch at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, 11 Hardscrabble Road, in Bernardsville.  Every ...

CRANFORD, NJ -  On August 21, a solar eclipse is predicted to cross the country from Oregon to South Carolina, and be partly visible throughout the country. John Sichel, corresponding secretary of Amateur Astronomers Incorporated, shares how Cranford residents can enjoy the action.

AAI is one of the largest astronomy clubs in the country and meets at the William Miller Sperry Observatory ...

MONTVILLE, NJ – The United States will be experiencing a solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, which New Jerseyans can view partially– if the weather cooperates.

If you lived in one of the 14 states the eclipse is crossing with its 70-mile wide path, you’d be all set.

But if you utilize safety glasses to view the event between 1:23 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and most especially at ...

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Outside Rutgers Gardens and a few other choice spots, this city and its high-rise apartment buildings and busy streets seemingly bear little connection to New Jersey's vast woodlands. Yet from this urban center, Rutgers University has managed to impact the wildest stretches of the state.

Just look at the Northern Bobwhite Quail.

Not long ago, the lack of young ...