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April 22 - 29

Artemis of the Deal

Artemis—the Greek goddess of the moon—now joins her twin brother Apollo in NASA’s story, with striking images of Earth slipping beneath a stark lunar horizon. Echoing the iconic “Blue Marble” photographs of the Apollo missions, these new “Earthset” views recapture the planet’s vitality: a fragile, dynamic world alive with wonder against the vastness of space. They also recall how those earlier images helped spark the modern environmental movement and inspired the first Earth Day proclamation in 1970.
In the decades since, climate change has reshaped the planet in profound ways—yet it’s difficult to imagine a deal today that would rally Congress to such a unifying declaration. The depths to which we must reach to bring about the restoration and regeneration of our planet are daunting. Political change must occur at national levels, but we must also work to regenerate and restore one watershed at a time.
To celebrate the planet from whence you sprouted, choose among dozens of natural attractions, outdoor activities, day trips, or Earth Day events.

Beauty, Peace and Power

Joan Case
The Black River is only about twelve miles long from beginning to end, but on the way it slices through the lives of tens of thousands of New Jerseyans. It hits them where they live, work and play. The river highlights the natural beauty of this corner of the state, and it flows through many of its major controversies about how land and water should be used. In its middle, as it roars through the hemlock groves of Hacklebarney State Park in Morris County, the Black River puts on a show of beauty, peace and power that can make a visitor forget where he is or why he came ­and cease to care.

The Hills Are Alive

Get lost in the other world of Hunterdon County, an almost a divine experience. Idyllic farms, narrow roads curving by fast rocky streams, gorgeous residences that seem tucked in a distant land and old movie-set towns blur time and geography. The Hill and Dale Preserve in Tewksbury is an acquisition of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF), an organization dedicated to saving and protecting New Jersey's important lands and natural resources for all to enjoy.

Restless Natives

A native mountain laurel allee at The Cross Estate Gardens in Morristown.
Native plants (those that lived here before the colonists arrived) make outstanding gardens because they are strong growers, ornamental, require less maintenance than many exotics, and are particularly attractive to birds and butterflies. Some are even rumored to be deer-resistant!

Pollinator Paradise

This pelecinid wasp resting on ticktrefoil is about 2.5” long. But she parasitizes white grubs in the soil (June beetle grubs). She is a beneficial insect who is entirely unaggressive and ignores humans completely.
Insects are critical components of any natural area. Gardeners have become increasingly aware that, if you want wildlife in our gardens, you must support all life stages, year ‘round. With the fragmented state of our natural areas, wildlife relies on our gardens, yards, fields, hedgerows, and woodlots to survive.
You can play a crucial role in enhancing the local environment and supporting wildlife conservation efforts by qualifying your own green space as a Certified Wildlife Habitat!

Earthly Delights

Easter came early this year, and it took a little time to get all the campsite water, electric and cable TV hookups on two-hundred scenic acres up and running. So Kymer's Camping Resort will hold delayed Easter Activities this weekend, April 24-26. Choose from cabin and luxury tent rentals as well as trailer or tent campsites with located at 69 Kymer Road in Branchville. Easter Weekend includes arts & crafts, special evening activities and Easter Egg Hunts. For reservations or gift certificates, click or call 973-875-3167.






Thanks for joining us in our appreciation of Northwest New Jersey and all the brilliant ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Tap our calendar for the best events for you and your family, or check our current stories. Pick from a multitude of daytrip itineraries and watch out for our virtual efforts to keep you informed. For the more aerobically inclined, the Outdoor Map shows the way to go, or choose among dozens of natural attractions or outdoor activities suggested on our website.
Like many other small, independent and specialized information sources, our operation increasingly relies on reader donations. Help us keep you informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey! If you like what we offer, we hope you'll consider a contribution.

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