Camden County ECO Days are in conjunction with the Delaware River Festival click on the link below for more great virtual events and programming https://www.delawareriverfest.
In Person Programming
Owl Prowl
Friday, September 25, 7 PM
Berlin Park
Hosted by Sustainable South Jersey and Camden County
Join us for a dusk walk in Camden County’s Berlin Park. Our trip leader is NJ Conservation Foundation’s Manager of Science and Stewardship, Emile DeVito, PhD. As we’re listening and looking for our resident owls, you’ll learn all about these amazing nocturnal predators and the calls they make. Whooo knows? We might even get a call back from a wild owl! Please meet at the main parking lot located on South Park Drive in Berlin, just off of Cross Keys Road. Participants should be prepared to walk in low-lighted areas of the park, wear proper footwear, and bring a flashlight. Face coverings are required and social distancing will be maintained. Registration will be required (limited to 10 groups of families or quarantine pods).
Bird Walk
Saturday, September 26, 2 PM-4 PM
Saddler’s Woods
Hosted by Sustainable South Jersey and Camden County
Join birders Lindsay McNamara and Dana Patterson as we explore Saddlers Woods together, practice our birding skills, and enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon. We will look to the sky and into the treetops in hopes of seeing migrating songbirds. We’ll also talk about the natural history of these birds and what to expect during the fall migration season. Meet at the main entrance of Saddler’s Woods (250 MacArthur Blvd. Haddon Township, NJ 08108). Parking is available on the street. Please wear appropriate attire and footwear and bring binoculars. Face coverings are required and social distancing will be maintained. Registration will be required (limited to 10 families or quarantine pods).
Fun With Bugs Demonstration Featuring the Spotted Lanternfly with a Take Home Craft Project
Sunday, September 27, 11 AM
Outside at the Camden County Environmental Center
This Demonstration is being lead by Lauren Bonus, Camden County’s Entomologist. Kids can create homemade Spotted Lanternfly traps using recycled liter bottles and craft supplies, then we will go on a walk in the park and try to trap a Spotted Lanternfly (accompanied by an adult). Face coverings are required and social distancing will be maintained. Registration will be required (limited to 10 families or quarantine pods).
Drive in Movie- The Lorax Free Tree Giveaway to first 50 cars!!!
Rated G
Saturday Oct. 3
801 Delaware Avenue near Cooper’s Poynt Park
Lot opens 6:30 PM, Movie 7:30 PM
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
Register at Camden-drive-in-delawareriverfest.eventbrite.com
National Public Lands Day
September 26, 9 AM – 12 PM
National Public Lands Day consists of performing a number of conservation community service projects like trash clean up in Open Space areas and along trails, invasive species removal, and trail maintenance; all of which will require mask and participants to bring there own gloves. CHEB is celebrating its 10th Anniversary of the Cherry Hill Trails Program.
Live Stream Events
Tour of Camden County Hydroponics Green House
Join Valerie Brown,Program Coordinator for the CC Office of Sustainability, for a tour of the Camden County Hydroponic Greenhouse! What is hydroponics and how does it work? Hydroponics is a soil-less approach to gardening that has been utilized for thousands of years. Hydroponic gardening produces larger plants and higher yields due to the nutrient rich solution delivered directly to the plant root system. This makes for easier access to nutrients compared to traditional soil gardening in which the plants need to search for nutrients. Furthermore, the reuse of the nutrient solution utilizes less water than conventional gardening. Ultimately, our mission is to create a place to produce locally-grown fruits and vegetables in an environment where food safety, nutrition, and water conservation are our key principles to combating food deserts in low-income urban areas as well as educating the public on the fundamentals of hydroponic gardening. There will be a question and answer segment.
Question and Answer with the Mosquito Commission Live Stream
September 29th
1:30PM-2:30PM
Lauren Bonus (entomologist), Jack Sworaski (Superintendent), and Ed Twyman (inspector) Will present a brief introduction of mosquito control in Camden County followed by answers to commonly asked questions. The last half of the program the virtual audience will be able to ask questions.
Spotted Lanternfly Q&A Live Stream
September 30th
2:30PM-3:30PM
Lauren Bonus (entomologist), Maggie McCann-Johns (Camden County Parks Department Director), Dan Nowakowski (NJ certified tree expert).
Lauren and Maggie will discuss County efforts to reduce the Spotted Lanternfly population, share information with residents on how they can help and have a Q&A for virtual audience. (TBA). Recycling Interactive quiz with Environmental Affairs
Click here for Virtual Meeting (coming soon)
Contests
Camden County 4H Miniature Fairy Garden Contest (Children and Adults)
Get Creative! Build your own Miniature Garden in a Container or in the ground and incorporate upcycled household items. You can win a $25.00 gift card to a local nursery!
Click here Contest information and registration
City of Camden Front “Stoop it up!” Contest
Sponsored by a New View and Camden County
Fall is here and Camden County and the City of Camden want to see how you beautify your home with the change of season!
Take a picture of your front stoop, porch, or community garden decorated for fall. You could win a 25.00 Gift Card to a local Nursery.
Prerecorded Webinars Available During The Whole Week
Making Upcycled Garden Planters and Garden Makers
Learn about upcycling and how you can take ordinary items found at home and re-purpose them into other uses, from plastics and cardboard to tin cans! Create a seed starter from a cardboard egg carton or a hanging planter from a 2-liter soda bottle. Help turn typical single-use materials into multi-use as a way to help the environment. Presented by Sharon Kinsey. (Camden County 4-H Agent/Rutgers Cooperative Extension)
Planning and Planting a Fall Garden
In this presentation I will discuss the fundamentals of planning a successful garden such as proper spacing, cultural recommendations, water sources, and light requirements. Additionally, we will touch on how to create a fall garden an important topic for solitude and joy during these challenging times.
Rebecca Szkotak Master Gardener Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Play recording (11 mins)
Click here for Presentation
Recording password: qKMd4Atb
Tool Library Informational Video
Check out the Camden County Tool library with our virtual tour. Doing a project in the house or outside, we have the tool you need!! Our library boasts a large inventory of single use items such as nuts, bolts, nails and screws, as well as screwdrivers, wrenches, yard tools (shovels, rakes, hedge trimmers and much more) and power tools, including circular and band saws, and drills. Valerie Brown will walk you through our library so you get a close up view of our inventory. The Tool Library gives County residents access to useful, often expensive, items at no cost. Tools can be borrowed for up to seven days. The Tool Library is located at the Camden County Office of Sustainability and Shared Services at 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood
All About BEE’s
Learn about the biology, ecology and habitat of native and managed bees in New Jersey and what you can do in your yard to support them” Mike Haberland (Associate Professor / County Agent II, Rutgers Cooperative Extension)
Click here for Presentation
Password is “Buzz2020
Reversing Global Warming:
Introduction to Drawdown is a 2-hour workshop that invites you to see both the possibility of reversing global warming and that you have an important role to play in that process.”
Soils, BMPs & Redevelopment
hosted by the NJ section of the American Water Resources Association (NJ-AWRA)
Earth Day Every Day Webinar Series
Click here for Webinar Series
Join Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty and staff as they offer a variety of webinars called Earth Day Every Day! in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. These sessions focus on steps everyone can take to protect the environment. We can all do our part to take actions that make our homes more sustainable, from environmentally-friendly lawn care to recycling to conducting a home energy audit. These actions, more than ever, start at home!
Get to the Root of Soil Compaction.
Soil compaction is a major problem that can impact your lawn, garden, and cause rainwater runoff. Come learn about what causes compaction, how to figure out if your yard is experiencing compaction, and how to correct soil compaction at home. Steve Yergeau, Assistant Professor/ County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension- Ocean/Atlantic Counties.
Environmentally-Friendly Landscape Care.
Want to reduce chemical use on your lawn and garden? Bill Hlubik will focus on earth-wise land care practices everyone should use including using proper plant genetics, using right plant, right place concepts, having the soil tested, using appropriate cultural practices and educating yourself and the public about the dangers of chemical over-application to home landscapes. William T. Hlubik, Full Professor/ County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County.
Creating Wildlife Habitat in Your Yard.
All creatures need to eat, drink, hide from predators, take cover from harsh weather, and safely raise their young. Whatever the size of your yard, learn how you can transform it into a haven for wildlife. Kathleen Kerwin, Program Associate, Wildlife Conservation and Management Program, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Home Vegetable Gardening For Food, Fun, and Stress Management. ”
Growing your own food can be physically and mentally rewarding. There are important tips to consider when starting a home vegetable garden such as location, sunlight, water, soil quality, and wildlife exclusion. This presentation will cover important tips for vegetable gardening including selecting vegetable varieties, starting seeds indoors and outside, planting and spacing, managing pests in the garden, watering, and harvesting the garden. Michelle Infante-Casella, Full Professor/ County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County.
Reducing Food Waste.
Thirty to forty percent of all food produced in the US is wasted. This talk will define food waste, its environmental impacts, and will provide tips for reducing food waste at home. Amy Rowe, Associate Professor/ County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex/ Passaic Counties.
Reducing Plastic Waste.
Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans. Learn about the impact plastic is having on our environment and the steps you can take to reduce plastic waste in your home. Casey Lippincott, NJDEP Watershed Ambassador.
Plant This Not That – Avoiding Invasives in Your Yard.
Some popular ornamental plants are actually garden “bullies” invading local ecosystems and destroying natural wildlife habitats. Learn about the importance of using native plants in your yards for supporting local ecology including examples of species you can use to replace invasives. Michele Bakacs, Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension- Middlesex/ Union Counties.
Exploring Your Watershed from Home.
We all live in a watershed and you can navigate yours from your computer. Learn about free online platforms and mapping websites that provide all kinds of information for you to explore local streams, habitat, water sources, soil types, and the environment right around your home. Sal Mangiafico, Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension- Salem/ Cumberland Counties.
Backyard Composting 101.
Starting home composting is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste while improving your soil. Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into black gold for your soil with these tips for success. Michele Bakacs, Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension- Middlesex/ Union Counties.
Ticks and Lyme Disease.
Protect yourself from ticks and Lyme disease by learning about the tick life cycle, tick removal, and differences between a variety of tick species. Learn also how to reduce tick habitat around your home. Amy Rowe, Associate Professor/ County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Passaic/ Essex Counties.
Understanding the 2019 Harmful Algae Blooms in NJ.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) plagued many aquatic waterways in 2019. This talk will cover what it is, what to look for, health effects, and how you can do your part to prevent them. Mike Haberland, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Associate Professor/County Agent- Burlington/ Camden Counties.
NEW! Virtual Petting Zoo
Since we wont be able to see you at the Camden County Fair this year, be brought the petting zoo to you virtually, thanks to Ponytown Pony Rentals and Petting Zoo.