The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Rt. 46 nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County. On-line directions are available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) and for scheduled programs. Admission is free.

Programs requiring registration are marked with an asterisk ( * ). Registration opens two weeks prior to the scheduled date. For registration or information call 908-637-4125.

Group programs are also available.

NOTE: Our classes are designed for first-time students, so if you have already attended one of these sessions, please do not sign up again in order to give others the opportunity.

MARCH

Turkey Hunting Seminar
Saturday, March 6 at 1:00 pm
Hunting safety and techniques, turkey biology and the history of wild turkeys in NJ and the division's role in their restoration will be covered. Following the seminar the NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host a Turkey Call Clinic.

Pequest Open House
Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28
A day of activities, displays, the Fishing Flea Market and more. Details

APRIL

*Environmental Education Week: Early Learner Reading Program

Tuesday, April 13
Trout Are Made of Trees: 10:00 am -11:00 am
Pass the Energy Please: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Near One Cattail: 1:30pm – 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Thursday, April 22
Trout Are Made of Trees: 1:00 pm -2:00 pm
Near One Cattail: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Wednesday, April 28
Pass the Energy Please: 1:00 pm -2:00 pm
Trout Are Made of Trees: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

These one-hour educational sessions, geared for 3 to 7 year olds and their parents, are hands-on and connect great children’s literature with field investigations. Trout Are Made of Trees eloquently explores the food web of trout while Near One Cattail allows participants to get muddy during a turtle and frog scavenger hunt. Pass the Energy Please shares the simple concept of how nature recycles.

Registration is required and space is limited. Please call 908-637-4125 to reserve your space.

*Annual Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 24 - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
A fun-filled and educational day of service-learning and “giving back” to the Pequest Wildlife Management Area. The day’s activities include: awakening the natural resource garden, an interpretive hike and litter pick-up along a scenic trail, re-installing bluebird boxes along the Bluebird Trail, assembling a purple martin condo, re-painting trail markers on trees, and removing invasive plants and brambles while creating access to the turtle pond.

Special presentations will also be held throughout the day. Nature photographer Donna Traylor will talk about the birds, butterflies and dragonflies of Northern NJ from 11:00 am-12:00 pm & 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, while Diane Kitty Dove will do an ongoing Create a Critter & Litter presentation from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Participants should bring binoculars, garden gloves, lunch and a water bottle. The hike will depart from the education building promptly at 11:00 am. Appropriate footwear is recommended for the hike.

Registration is required for the hike and the presentations. Please call 908-637-4125 and select which activity and show time you will be attending.

For more Earth Day Activities visit www.nj.gov/dep/seeds/earthday/april.htm.

JULY

*Family Fishing Basics
Friday, July 16 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

*Family Fishing Basics
Monday, July 19 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

*Family Fishing Basics
Tuesday, July 27 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

AUGUST

*Family Fishing Basics
Monday, August 2 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

*Family Fishing Basics
Wednesday, August 11 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

*Family Fishing Basics
Tuesday, August 17 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

*Family Fishing Basics
Thursday, August 26 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

*Family Fishing Basics
Tuesday, August 31 at 9:30 am
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on session that covers topics such as ethics, equipment set-up, safety, casting and more. All equipment is provided for the program, however yo will need to dress for the weather and provide your own worms (nightcrawlers are best!) This program is geared for children 8 years old and up. Younger children can participate if a family member is working with them directly. You must register for this program by calling 908-637-4125. Registration opens two weeks before the program.

Be sure to visit the NJ Endangered Wildlife Exhibit now at Pequest.

Weather fans take note: The Pequest Trout Hatchery has become the newest link in Rutgers University's weather station network. The hatchery is now the site of one of 13 stations throughout the state that feed data to the state's weather and climate monitoring system. To view current weather conditions visit: http://climate.rutgers.edu/njwxnet/station.php?s=1029.

Programs requiring registration are marked with an asterisk ( * ). For registration or information call 908-637-4125.