FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 4, 2007

CONTACT: Tom Plante, 908-527-4746
Karen Inzillo, 908-789-3670
 

Investigate Frogs and Toads by Flashlight
at Trailside Nature & Science Center
green frog
Hop right in and have some fun! Join a Trailside park naturalist on May 16 or June 6 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. to search local wetland areas for frogs, like the green frog pictured above. Participants in “Frogs by Flashlight” will discover interesting facts about local amphibians, learn to identify frogs and toads by sight and sound and have the opportunity to catch some using headlamps and nets. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside for additional information on this or other spring programs. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Mountainside, NJ - The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to offer exciting evenings of nature investigations this spring at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. One program is “Frogs by Flashlight” which is offered twice this spring, on May 16 or June 6 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

“Trailside’s location in the scenic Watchung Reservation provides the perfect outdoor classroom to have fun while learning about the environment and the natural world around us,” said Freeholder Chairwoman Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Families with children ages six and older are invited to join a Trailside park naturalist to view a brief slide presentation focusing on a special group of amphibians: frogs. You’ll learn fascinating facts about these elusive creatures that breathe through their skin and sing at night. Discover how to identify local frogs and toads by sight and sound, and then carpool to a nearby wetland to search for them using headlamps, flashlights and nets.

Due to the popularity of this program, space is limited. Pre-registration is required. The fee for this program is $6 per person for residents of Union County and $7 per person for non-county participants. You’re encouraged to wear shoes that can get wet and muddy and bring a flashlight. This program is held rain or shine.

For additional information about “Frogs by Flashlight” or for a complete listing of spring programs at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.