Earth in focus this weekend
Earth Day coincides with the spring equinox and has become a day of environmental awareness around the United States. Here’s a run-down of what’s happening around the area. The largest Earth Day celebration will be in Vernon Township. The 10th annual Earthfest on Sunday, April 25, runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mountain Creek South Lodge on Route 94. The event is free and features a host of activities, from live raptor and wolf demonstrations, guided hikes and other family friendly activities, information on the Lenape Indians and their way of life to games, giveaways, a student art show and Arm-of-the Sea Theatre. Some of the live animals that visitors can see include a 7-foot-alligator, 75-pound snapping turtle, a Burmese python, owls, bats and more. In addition, Miss Vernon will be on hand. Two free guided hikes led by Dennis Miranda, chairman of Vernon’s Environmental Commission. On April 24, an owl prowl along the Dagmar Dale Trail behind the Wallkill Wildlife Refuge Headquarters runs from 7:30-9 p.m. The Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge is located at 1547 Route 565. Visit its Web site at wallkillriver.fws.gov. A second hike on April 25, also led by Miranda, will follow the Appalachian Trail from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. To register for either hike, e-mail pseger@vernontwp.com or call 973-764-4055, ext. 2261 and leave a message with contact information and the number of people attending. Earth Day Celebration at Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) in Lafayette, Thursday, April 22. Participants can plant a tree, learn about the watersheds, wildlife refuges, recycling, composting and alternative energy. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the site, located at 94 Route 94 South in Lafayette. For more information, contact Renee Casapulla at 973-579-6998. Bird lovers can join the Friends of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge on April 24 to see a springtime right of passage, the Woodcock’s Courtship Dance. The group will meet at 7 p.m. at Refuge headquarters at 1547 County Route 565 in Vernon and drive to a field to watch the male woodcocks strut their stuff to females. For more information, call 973-702-7266 ext. 13 or e-mail friendsofwallkillrivernwr@yahoo.com. Spring and earth Day Job Fair, at the Littell Center, 12 Munsonhurst Rd., Franklin, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. sponsored by the Sussex County One Stop Career Center. For information, call 973-827-9734 What Shall I Grow? April 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. for budding gardeners, hosted by Jefferson Township at Sparta Mountain Farm. The event is open to children ages 4 to 9. Registration is required and there is a $25 participation fee. Children will plant a green-haired creature, a giant sunflower and edible alfalfa shapes. Call 973-409-4515 to register. Litter pickup day in Lafayette, sponsored by Lafayette Recreation, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the Mabee House, 115 Route 15. Participants will get free hotdogs, T-shirts and other giveaways. Annual Gem and Mineral Show, Franklin Elementary School, saturday April 24 and Sunday, April 25. Rock and mineral enthusiasts will find plenty of admire at this event, co-sponsored by the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society, The New Jersey Earth Science Association and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. Exhibits featuring fossils, minerals and an extensive presentation on the world-famous deposits of Sussex county’s fluorescent minerals. The event runs 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults. Children 14 and under are free with a paying adult. For more information, contact the NJ Earth Science Association at 973-827-3481.