News from the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners
Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director | Sara Sooy, Commissioner Deputy Director
Melonie Marano, Commissioner | Paul Drake, Commissioner | Doug Singleterry, Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2021
Somerset County Park Commission Offers Virtual Group Education Programs All Year
Learn About Birds, Bees, Bats and More
BRIDGEWATER, NJ – “Group Outreach Programs,” sponsored by the Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Science Department, are year-round educational programs featuring topics such as birding, maple sugaring, and information about butterflies, bats, bears, and more. The programs are ideal for organized groups such as libraries, senior centers, and garden clubs.
“I encourage any group to sign up for these education classes,” said Somerset County Park Commission Director-Secretary Geoff Soriano. “The education center offers many presentations about exotic topics that are given by professional naturalists and environmentalists who will discuss fascinating details about local and global wildlife and nature.
“For the safety of all participants, Group Outreach Programs are offered virtually, but we can still tailor the presentation to meet any group’s needs,” he said. “When New Jersey starts returning to normal, we will resume our hands-on and in-person programs.”
Group Outreach Programs are naturalist-presented, lecture, and discussion-based presentations that can be adapted to each group’s specifications, such as the length of the presentation, date, time, and the group’s interests. Groups can choose from one of the existing topics or suggest another topic of interest. Online presentations are available through the education center’s virtual platform or the participants’ platform. Programs are fee-based and variable in amount.
For more information about the topics offered, visit http://bit.ly/GroupOutreach2021. To schedule a program or inquire about fees, contact Kurt Bender at 908-722-1200, ext. 5332 or email kbender@scparks.org.
Keep up with the Somerset County Park Commission at somersetcountyparks.org, or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/scparksnj, http://www.twitter.com/scparksnj, and https://www.instagram.com/somerset.parks/.
The Somerset County Park Commission stewards nearly 15,000 acres of county-owned open space, which is visited by 2 million park users each year. Five golf courses have three driving ranges, a pitch and putt course and a recreational putting course. Other attractions include a riding stable, an environmental education center, two tennis facilities, an outdoor pool, paddle boating, a rock and rare plant garden, an award-winning rose garden, arboretum, and a sensory and fragrance garden. Six county parks also offer amenities such as athletic fields, picnic facilities, bike paths, fishing, birdwatching, cross country skiing, and hiking.
To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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