Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in conjunction with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation invites educators to attend a teacher training workshop, Falcon Cam in the Classroom, on Thursday, October 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Union County’s Trailside Nature & Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
Pairs of peregrine falcons have nested on the roof of the Union County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth every year since 2005. The Falcon Cam was installed 2016 as an initiative of the Freeholder Board to serve as a research and public education tool. Conserve Wildlife is Union County’s educational partner in the initiative.
“The Falcon Cam allows the public to observe this fascinating bird of prey while helping to gather information to ensure its survival,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to offer this free workshop as it provides a unique teaching opportunity for students in addition to providing the chance to appreciate our County’s extensive park system.”
The workshop will feature Stephanie D’Alessio, Director of Education for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation. Ms. D’Alessio will discuss how teachers can use the Union County Falcon Web Cam in the classroom, to help students learn about the ecology and adaptations of the peregrine falcon.
The Tenafly Nature Center will also bring an owl, a red-tailed hawk and other live raptors to demonstrate the predator and prey relationships, wildlife rehabilitation and issues facing avian wildlife.
Sample lesson plans will be provided, and participants can earn five professional education credits. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided as part of the workshop.
The workshop is free and open to teachers of Kindergarten through 8th grade levels and who live or work in Union County. Pre-registration is required at ucnj.org/trailside.
For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit 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.
This program is made possible by a grant from Philips 66.
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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