The Field Experience Program
Field experiences are an integral part of the APES class. Visiting these sites allows students to augment their experience in a real and authentic way. It is one thing to learn about agricultural practices and another thing completely to visit a working dairy farm. Over the course of the year we visit a wide variety of places most people never have the chance to see first hand.
Salt Marsh Ecology
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) advances knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey's marine and coastal environment through research, education and extension. Providing sound scientific data to promote wise decision-making about New Jersey's coastal and marine resources is at the heart of NJSGC's mission. The Education Program holds a wide variety of programs directed towards advancing greater understanding and stewardship of our state's marine and coastal resources. The primary goal of Extension is to provide useful information to people employed or interested in fields related to marine resources from fishermen, coastal engineers, maritime industry personnel, resource managers and decision makers to the general public. NJSGC is located in the Sandy Hook, NJ Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.
Dairy Farm Tour
The Fulper Family Farmstead is a dairy farm located in Lambertville, NJ. The farm opened in 1909 with a single cow and a small vegetable garden. From their website: “As a 5th generation family farm, we have exceptional experience in producing some of New Jersey's highest quality raw milk from generations of cow families we have cared for. As an award-winning Dairy of Distinction, we continue to pave the way for "greener" dairy farm practices, including our renewable solar energy system, soil conservation methods, and nutrient recycling plans to ensure we are producing a sustainable product.”
The Great Backyard Bird Count
Well-maintained and marked trails traverse the Sanctuary, ranging in length from 0.3 miles to 1.3 miles and passing through upland deciduous forest, fields, woodland, and the floodplain along the headwaters of the Passaic River. The Sanctuary is home to more than 60 species of nesting birds, and over 200 species of birds have been sighted at the Sanctuary, including as many as 25 species of warblers during spring migration. Nesting birds of interest include Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Wild Turkey, and Great-horned and Screech owls. Red Fox, Long-tailed Weasel, Mink, numerous White-tailed Deer, Eastern Chipmunk, Gray and Red squirrels, Coyote, and many other mammals inhabit the diverse habitat at Scherman-Hoffman.
Scherman-Hoffman is conveniently located within minutes of the Morristown National Historical Park (Jockey Hollow preserves more than 2,500 acres, including the Cross Estate), the 7,000 acre Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the Somerset County Environmental Education Center, the Raptor Trust, Washington Valley Park’s Chimney Rock Hawk Watch, and Montclair Hawk Watch.
Scherman-Hoffman is conveniently located within minutes of the Morristown National Historical Park (Jockey Hollow preserves more than 2,500 acres, including the Cross Estate), the 7,000 acre Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the Somerset County Environmental Education Center, the Raptor Trust, Washington Valley Park’s Chimney Rock Hawk Watch, and Montclair Hawk Watch.
Wolf Preserve
The Wolf Conservation Center teaches people about wolves, their relationship to the environment and the human role in protecting their future. Founded by Hélène Grimaud in 1999, the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental education organization working to protect and preserve wolves in North America through science-based education, advocacy, and participation in the federal recovery and release programs for two critically endangered wolf species - the Mexican gray wolf and red wolf. The WCC's three 'ambassador wolves' reside on exhibit where they help teach the public about wolves and their vital role in the environment. Through wolves, the WCC teaches the broader message of conservation, ecological balance, and personal responsibility for improved human stewardship of our World.
Incinerator and Wastewater Plant Tour
The Union County Resource Recovery Facility, operating as Covanta Union, LLC, is located on the banks of the Rahway River. It began commercial operation in June 1994 and serves the residents of Union County, New Jersey. The 22-acre facility processes approximately 1,500 tons of solid waste each day into enough electrical energy to power some 30,000 homes and businesses. Designed and built by Covanta, the facility is owned by the Union County Utilities Authority and operated by Covanta under a long-term lease agreement.
The Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority (RVSA) is an autonomous agency that owns and operates a trunk sewer system and a wastewater treatment facility in Rahway, New Jersey. The RVSA currently serves more than 250,000 residents and 3,500 industrial and commercial customers in Central New Jersey.
The Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority (RVSA) is an autonomous agency that owns and operates a trunk sewer system and a wastewater treatment facility in Rahway, New Jersey. The RVSA currently serves more than 250,000 residents and 3,500 industrial and commercial customers in Central New Jersey.
NJ Trout in the Classroom Release Day
The culmination of or trout in the Classroom Program, students will travel to Green Brook in Watchung Reservation to release the fingerlings they have been raising all year. Release Day is an opportunity for students to contribute to cold water ecosystem conservation and celebrate their many successes over the course of the year.