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Forest
Cancelled

[CANCELED] Noticing Nature

with Sue Slotterback

Registration REQUIRED for EACH SESSION. This season's theme is A Season of Change

UPDATE (posted 8/26/24): The fall series of Noticing Nature has been CANCELED. 

All events are tentatively scheduled and may change. Please see the CMCL Events Calendar on our website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter for any and all updates.


Welcome to Noticing Nature! For the next seven weeks, we’ll be exploring some natural history topics at various locations around Cape May County. Our excursions out of doors will offer authentic nature experiences. 

Registration is REQUIRED for EACH SESSION - please select each date that you will be attending. You need not attend all sessions.

Before attending, please email Sue at 2ndnature.connections@gmail.com to receive directions and other important info.

 

Each session will take place as follows:

Week 1 - September 10th

  • Introduction to Nature Journaling
  • In this first class we will be forming the backbone of the Noticing Nature series of programs. We’ll define what a nature journal is and build a list of materials and supplies. We’ll work on basic sketching and fun art techniques to get you up and going and practicing skills in how to observe and what to record. We’ll also learn a few types of writing that will bring us closer to the natural world around us. No art or writing experience necessary. Come and join the fun!
    What to bring: Cereal or cracker box; pen; water bottle
    Location: Belleplain State Forest

Week 2 - September 17th

  • Phenology
  • As the seasons change, have you found yourself saying, “I saw my first ____.” Or “this is the last of the _____.” Or “pretty soon _____ will happen”. This is called phenology, noticing the changes in nature as the year cycles through the seasons. We’ll be making a section in our nature journals to record these phenomena, create a fun way to celebrate special events, and take a hike in search of signs of the season.
  • What to bring: Journal kit; beach or camp chair; water bottle
  • Location: TBA

Week 3 - September 24th

  • Nature’s Windows
  • As we go about our day to day, how many times do we really take notice of nature around us, from the panoramas just under foot, to the vistas along the horizon, as well as the scenes just over head? This week we’ll take in the sights and views of “windows on the world”.
  • What to bring: Journal kit; beach or camp chair; water bottle
  • Location: South Cape May Meadows, Cape May Point

Week 4 - October 1st

  • Mechanics of Migration
  • There are many animals that migrate, and this is their season. It is an amazing phenomenon and there is more than one way for even birds to move from place to place in search of food and breeding areas. In this session we will discover the adaptations and strategies animals use to weather through the year, focusing on the types of migration and what we can do to help.
  • What to bring: Journal kit; beach or camp chair; water bottle
  • Location: Kimbles Beach Road Trail, Cape May Court House

Week 5 - October 8th

  • Monarch Butterflies on The Move
  • Throughout the spring and summer, we’ve seen them in our gardens, now they are on their final 2,000-mile journey south. Find out what makes them go and how we know when they get there. Join us for a tagging demonstration and wishing them “Adios, Marisopsa Monarcha!”
  • What to bring: Journal kit; beach or camp chair; water bottle
  • Location: Garrett Family Preserve, West Cape May

Week 6 - October 15th

  • Language of the Land
  • Working with, in celebration of, and inspired by, the wild landscapes will take us more deeply into our own nature using language, art, photography, poetry, prose, and nature itself, as we listen to the “Language of the Land”.
  • What to bring: Journal kit; beach or camp chair; water bottle
  • Location: Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area

Week 7 - October 22nd

  • Peak of Leaf Peeping
  • During this time of gorgeous color changes, we’ll be making a tree study in our nature journals: looking at leaves, measuring heights, discovering the roles of each trunk layer, the connections of trees in the ecosystem, and more!
  • What to bring: Journal kit; beach or camp chair; water bottle
  • Location: Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area

 

Here is a list of what to bring and wear for all sessions:

  • Dress… for the weather! And be
    prepared for the unexpected!
  • Coat/jacket
  • Hat, gloves, scarf
  • Long, warm pants
  • Sturdy shoes and warm socks
  • Water bottle
  • Snack - to keep your energy up! :)
  • Journal pack (we’ll discuss this during our first session)
  • We’ll be taking walks for sure, but keep a light, foldable chair in your car - there may not always be seating in some places

After every session we will discuss the upcoming session location and topic. Maps with directions and a list for anything needed to bring will be sent via email several days prior to the date. Looking forward to seeing you!

The Noticing Nature series is FREE and open to the public.

 

For over forty years, Sue Slotterback has been a professional naturalist and outdoor education specialist for the Ocean Discovery Aquarium, the Philadelphia Zoo, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium, NJ Audubon's Nature Center of Cape May, and was the Environmental Educator for The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. Recipient of the Alliance for NJ Environmental Education's "Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year Award" in 2009, Sue has guided thousands of people, young and old, through her favorite haunts, turning them on to the wonders of their natural heritage.


Please review our Adult Events Attendance Policy.

Have feedback? We'd love to hear from you! Fill out our online feedback form here!

CMCL Outdoors


Hours

CMCL Outdoors

Mon, Jun 30 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Tue, Jul 01 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Wed, Jul 02 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Fri, Jul 04 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Sat, Jul 05 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 9:00AM to 11:00PM

Upcoming events

Tue, Jul 01, 9:30am - 10:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Tue, Jul 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Jul 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cape May City - Multi-Purpose Room

Tue, Jul 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 01, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Classroom
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 01, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Jul 01, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Cancelled
Tue, Jul 01, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Cape May Court House

Tue, Jul 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Woodbine - Children's Room,Events Room

Tue, Jul 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Jul 01, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Cancelled
Tue, Jul 01, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May City

Tue, Jul 01, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Cancelled
Wed, Jul 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wildwood Crest

Wed, Jul 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
Upper Cape - Events Room

Wed, Jul 02, 11:00am - 1:00pm
New venue Stone Harbor - Kitchen Area
This event is full

Cancelled
Wed, Jul 02, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Wildwood Crest

Wed, Jul 02, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 02, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 02, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Wed, Jul 02, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sea Isle City - Conference Room

Wed, Jul 02, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Wed, Jul 02, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 02, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Wed, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Thu, Jul 03, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Jul 03, 10:00am - 11:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 03, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 03, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Thu, Jul 03, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Thu, Jul 03, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Thu, Jul 03, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Jul 03, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Jul 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Jul 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
CMCL Online - Google Meet

Fri, Jul 04, All day
Cape May Court House

Sat, Jul 05, 9:30am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Sat, Jul 05, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Mon, Jul 07, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Mon, Jul 07, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 07, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
Registration is now closed

Mon, Jul 07, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Mon, Jul 07, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Mon, Jul 07, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room

Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 07, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Jul 08, 9:30am - 10:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Tue, Jul 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Jul 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Cancelled
Tue, Jul 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Wildwood Crest

Tue, Jul 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Stone Harbor - Kitchen Area
This event is full

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Classroom
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Tue, Jul 08, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Jul 08, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Rescheduled
Tue, Jul 08, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
New date Tuesday, July 08, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House

Tue, Jul 08, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South