Kingston Loop Trail Hike

Sat. Nov. 14th, 10:00 am:

Join the naturalist and historian of Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in a walk along the loop trail system in Kingston, NJ. The trail leads through the historic D & R Canal State Park, Mapleton Preserve (former site of Princeton Nurseries), Cook Natural Area and Middlesex County Open Space Park, Heathcote Meadow Preserve and is ~3.5 miles along mostly dirt/gravel pathways and is along flat terrain. The program will start at 10:00 am. Participants will meet at the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park’s Kingston Office located at 145 Mapleton Road. Pre-registration IS REQUIRED (609-924-5705). Weather permitting.

Register for this program

Why go Native?? The Importance of Biodiversity

November 7th - 10:00 am:

Robert Wells, Certified Tree Expert and Associate Director of Arboriculture Outreach of the Morris Arboretum, will be at the old Princeton Nursery headquaters located at 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston (now the Kingston office for the D & R Canal State Park) to discuss NJ native plants and the importance of biodiversity. His presentation will be based on Dr. Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home: How native plants sustain wildlife in our gardens.

Did you know:

Around 50,000 alien species of plant and animals have colonized North America.

Native plants supported 35 times more caterpillar biomass (amount by weight) than did alien plants.

96% of North American birds rely on insects, and the spiders that eat them, to feed young.

One large sugar maple can sequester 450 pounds of CO2 per year!

Fall is a perfect time to landscape your yards. Please join us in learning how landscape designs can create critical wildlife habitat, and the importance of "Going Native". The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes. Afterwards visitor are encouraged to explore the trails in the Mapleton Preserve. Registration is NOT required and admission is FREE!

For MapQuest/Google directions to the site, use 145 Mapleton Road, Princeton 08540 as the address, as the D&R Canal Kingston office has a Princeton mailing address.

Fall bird walk with John Maret

Sat. Oct. 24th, 8:00 am:
Join John Maret and the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands for an early morning bird walk through the Mapleton Preserve. The Preserve and its surroundings contain both wooded and grassland habitats – the varied offerings of evergreens, hardwood trees, open fields and bountiful berries draw many species of birds, ranging from sparrows to hawks.

On the walk, the group will be watching for bird behaviors that provide clues to identification, as well their songs and call notes. Learning these sounds takes a good pair of ears and lots of practice. John Maret, the leader for this walk, has “educated ears”, is an excellent birder and a fabulous teacher. Meet at the D&R Canal State Park Headquarters/Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston. The event will be held rain or shine. It is free and all are welcome. Call 609-683-0483 for more information.