Contact:

SANDY PERRY, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
PHONE: 908-234-1225, EXT. 104
SANDY@NJCONSERVATION.ORG

Learn about butterflies on Aug. 9 walk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHESTER TWP., NJ – Butterfly lovers of all ages are invited to join New Jersey Conservation Foundation at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, for its fourth annual Butterfly Walk through the grounds of the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, 170 Longview Road, Chester Township.

Dr. Emile DeVito, New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s resident biologist, will lead the two-hour walk through the 100-acre park and gardens. DeVito will spark the interest of children and adults alike with little-known facts about New Jersey’s beautiful butterfly species and advice on how to plant flowers and shrubs to attract butterflies at home.

The event is free, but advance registration is required by calling Meghan McMahon at 1-888-LANDSAVE (1-888-526-3728) or e-mailing Meghan@njconservation.org. The Butterfly Walk is the latest event in New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s popular Walks & Talks series, which offers lectures, hikes and conservation-related activities for adults and children throughout the year.

The Butterfly Walk will take advantage of Bamboo Brook at its summer peak, filled with native wildflowers such as milkweed, primroses, asters, goldenrods, ironweed and dogbanes. Among the butterflies that can be spotted in the gardens and meadows are monarchs, swallowtails, fritillaries, buckeyes, admirals, skippers and blues.

“Looking for butterflies is easy and fun for all ages,” commented DeVito. “Everybody can see them, everybody can identify them. Every year, we see at least eight to 10 different types of butterflies.”

Because of the possibility of encountering poison ivy on the walk, DeVito recommends wearing long pants, walking shoes, and socks. He also suggested bring binoculars.

The Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center is located in Chester Township, a short distance off Route 206. From Route 206, turn west onto Pottersville Road at traffic light (left turn for northbound traffic, right turn for southbound). Go for about ½ mile and make first right onto Lisk Hill Road. Follow Lisk Hill for about 1/10 mile to stop sign at T-intersection. Turn right onto Union Grove Road, then continue for 3/10 mile to Y-intersection. Bear left onto Longview Road and proceed for about one mile. Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center is on the left, with a large gravel parking lot uphill of the main building.

For more information about this and other New Jersey Conservation Foundation programs, visit our website at www.njconservation.org.