Community Corner
Learn About Native Trees At Walk In Brookdale Park
Naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin will lead a native tree walk at the park, which is located in Montclair and Bloomfield.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Got cabin fever? Looking to celebrate the springtime? The Essex County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey’s first outdoor event of 2023 may be right up your alley.
Naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin will lead a native tree walk on Saturday, March 25 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Brookdale Park, which is located in Montclair and Bloomfield. The walk will be about one mile, mostly on paved walkways.
Here’s what to expect, according to a news release:
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“You will learn how to identify native trees before they leaf out by examining tree shape, branching pattern, bark, nuts, and buds. We will provide a handout so that you can take your learning home with you! Ginger Van Ryzin is the Programming and GIS Associate at Great Swamp Watershed Association, where she assists in environmental education programs and stewardship of the Conservation Management Area. Previously, Ginger was an invasive strike team member at Restore Native Plants, an environmental nonprofit organization located in the heart of Ramapo Mountain State Forest.”
Participants will meet at the parking lot above the stadium (enter Brookdale Park from Bellevue Avenue; follow West Circuit Drive to first parking lot on left).
There is no need to register or RSVP. For more information, contact essex@npsnj.org. The rain date is Sunday, March 26 at the same time.
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