The Lawrence Nature Center is set to once again celebrate spring and Mother Earth at its Mother Nature Festival Saturday, May 10.
The annual event, now in its 11th year, will be hosted together with the Friends of the Lawrence Nature Center, Sustainable Lawrence and the Lawrence Township Environmental Resources and Sustainability Green Advisory Committee.
This year, the festival will recognize the Dutko brothers: Zach, Josh and Travis. Zach and Josh built the first bird feeder platform, and all three clean the trails and have been helping in different projects from the time the community first created a nature center. Also set to be recognized is Michael Baicker, who built nesting boxes for turtles while he was president of Lawrence High School’s S.A.V.E.
The program is designed to teach the community about conservation and experiencing nature, with several activities on tap for the day.
Lindsay Blanton from AmeriCorps DRBC will explain the importance of rain barrels, while Patrick Froehlich, WMA Watershed Ambassador, explains the need for healthy rivers and drinkable water. Eric Tengi from the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed will discuss rain gardens and how simple they are to maintain.
At 2 p.m., the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels is set to present the wildlife animal show. Several other presentations include “The Buzz about Honey and Honeybees!” by Suzanne Luciano from the Italian Bees; sharks and their importance in our ecosystem by Ed Frankel; and “How we impact our environment” by Sonja Michaluk, 6th grader at Princeton Friends School. The Shade Tree Commission will also have a table and presentation, and will give out tree seedlings during the festival.
Over 20 environmental groups are set to present on nature and sustainable practices. Some of the groups include: 4-H Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, New Jersey Think Outside the Box, The Greater Eldridge Park Neighborhood Association (GEPNA), S.A.V.E., the Outdoor Art Team will be at the festival to create another of their fantastic work of art., Mercer County Soil Conservation, Solar Man, Girls Scout of America, Rainbows and Giggles, the Children corner, NJ Mycological Association, Organic Material Recycling and more.
Refreshments will be available from a local restaurant, and music will be performed by Eli the Hawk with his Americana Music.
Attendees may also stroll through the meadow and visit the butterfly garden (currently a work in progress), the native plant garden at the front of house, the rain garden on the southwest side of the house, beehives, chimney swift bird station and more.
The Mother Nature Festival is set to be held on Saturday, May 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at the Lawrence Nature Center, located at 481 Drexel Ave. in Lawrence Township.
