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Trailside Talks “The Great American Solar Eclipse,” May 13

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the second lecture in its spring “Trailside Talks” series, for adults and high school students at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.   These spring programs are free to the public. Donations are welcomed.    

On Saturday, May 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. NASA Solar Ambassador Paul Cirillo returns to Trailside to enthrall audiences with a lecture on the great American solar eclipse of 2017.   In August of this year, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in the United States along a 70 mile wide path from Oregon to South Carolina.  This will be the first solar eclipse visible since 1979. This is a rare and once in a lifetime event.  Cirillo will lead listeners through the history of eclipses and how and why they happen and how to best prepare to view this year’s best astronomical event.

“This spring offers and excellent line up of interesting speakers from Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and the NASA Solar System Ambassador Speaker’s Bureau.  The spring adult programs offer a perfect invitation for a visit,” notes Freeholder Chairman, Bruce H. Bergen.

The final lecture of the series is “Pollinators” on Saturday, June 3 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.   Butterflies, bumblebees, moths and other creatures help pollinate over 75% of our flowering plants and crops: contributing to over $29 billion in crops each year.  Currently many species of pollinators are struggling to survive.  A naturalist from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation explores why pollinators are crucial to our environment, health, food systems and economy.  Learn how to help the declining species of New Jersey pollinators with simple steps we can take to protect them in our own backyard. 

For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.