The 4-H Master Tree Steward Program is an enjoyable, educational program for adults
The classes teach about the nature and life of trees. You will learn how trees grow; how to identify them; about their importance to our environment; and fun ways to share this knowledge with children.
Homework is easy reading and a simple project.
There are no exams or quizzes. Once trained, you will have opportunities to teach a one-hour program to groups of interested and attentive schoolchildren.
Your commitment is SHORT term, but importance and impact is LONG term
Classes will meet every Wednesday from September 7th to December 14th, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Except for any holidays that fall on those days). Field trips are included in the program. Perfect attendance is desired, but up to two absences can be made up. (A schedule of classes is attached.)
Once training is finished, you will receive a teaching kit. It contains posters and tree cones, seeds etc. With these supplies you will teach a one hour program to fourth graders in Union County. The teaching is from 12:30 to 1:30 (approximately) on Wednesday afternoons, from January to early June 2023. You do not have to teach on every Wednesday just on 4 to 6 of them. Also, you may pick the Wednesdays you prefer. Schools will be solicited through the 4-H office and a teaching schedule calendar will be developed according to the availability of each Master Tree Steward.
Convenient, accessible, safe locations for classes
The majority of classes are outdoor field trips. Indoor classes will be held virtually until restrictions are lifted. When restrictions are lifted we meet at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Ave., East, Westfield, NJ 07090
It’s easy to apply for the Program, or get more information
Just fill in the enclosed application and return it along with your check for $25.00 (Made out to Union County 4-H Association) and mail to Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz, Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Ave East, Westfield, NJ 07090-1426. For more information, contact James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 (ext.3), or nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.
The Master Tree Steward Program – Winner of a Green Community Achievement Award; presented by the New Jersey Forest Service for an outstanding educational program in the area of community forestry.
4-H Master Tree Steward Schedule
September 7th – December 14th, 2022 (tentative)
| Date | Time** | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 9/7 | 10 a.m. – noon | Looking at Leaves – Learn basics of tree identification and preview the teaching portion of class. Meet alumni Tree Stewards. |
| 9/14 | 10:00am – noon | Field Trip to Cheesequake State Park (Matawan, NJ 07747) – Lead by park naturalist Jim Fazak. View a White Cedar swamp and see large White Oaks and Pines. Meet at visitors lot. This is right before the guard house on the road. |
| 9/21 | 10:00am – noon | Field Trip to Rutgers Gardens, New Brunswick, NJ – Rutgers Gardens School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 112 Ryders Lane New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Meet at log cabin parking lot in garden |
| 9/28 | 10:00am – noon | Field Trip to Rutgers Ecological Preserve (Piscataway) – We will be lead on a tour of the preserve by professor Rick Lathrop. He will describe how he is trying to revitalize the preserve. |
| 10/12 | 10:00 am – 2:00pm | Field Trip to Hacklebarney State Park – See American Beech, Black Ash, Shadbush, Black & Yellow Birch, and more. Hacklebarney State Park, 119 Hacklebarney Rd, Long Valley. Tel: 908-638-6969. Meet at Ranger Station at end of parking lot. |
| 10/19 | 10 am– 2:00pm | Field Trip to Forest Resource Center – See a timber mill, view a sugar shack, learn how tree seedlings are grown, and view the trees of the Pine Barrens. Center is at 370 East Veterans Hwy, Jackson. Tel: 732-928-2360. Bring lunch and be prepared for fun. Trip lead by Rick Duco, Forestry Department |
| 10/26 | 10 am to noon | Field Trip to South Mountain Reservation, Millburn, NJ – See White Oak, Hickory, and other trees that are able to grow on this mountain ridge. We will meet at the Essex County Dog Park on Bear Road, Milburn |
| 11/2 | 10 am to 2 pm | Holly Forest – Sandy Hook – see two hundred year old holly trees |
| 11/9 | 10a.m. to noon | Field Trip to Great Swamp ( Chatham Nj ) Meet at Morris County Environmental Education Center on Southern Boulevard. |
| 11/16 | 11:30am – 1:30pm | Field Trip to Grammar School in Union County – exact location TBD – Observe the Master Tree Steward teaching process with school children. Meet at 4-H Office, 300 North Avenue E, Westfield. |
| 11/23 | No Class | Thanksgiving Break |
| 11/30 | Noon – 2 pm | Practice Teach |
| 12/14 | Noon – 2:00pm | Master Tree Steward Graduation Party & school sign-up |