Tammy Laverty and Pat Knight join Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino on the latest episode of Torino’s radio show, The Nature Connection, airing this Sunday (March 22) from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on WFDU 89.1 FM. The program airs on the fourth Sunday of each month and is archived on https://wfdu.fm/ for the following two weeks.

Don, Tammy and Pat will explain how listeners can help butterflies thrive while livening up their backyards by creating butterfly gardens.

Butterflies are critical pollinators that play a key part of the food chain by greatly aiding in the reproduction of resilient and diverse plant species. The plants, in turn, support ecosystem improvements and provide food for other wildlife. Backyard butterfly gardens add sources of nourishment, which are especially critical for Monarch Butterflies, a species on the decline.

Tammy and Pat bring a plethora of butterfly and plant knowledge and tremendous passion for the environment to the show.

Tammy Laverty is a BCAS Board Member, Raptor Volunteer at Flat Rock Brook Nature Preserve, sits on the Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission, and is Chief of Staff and native seed maven at the BCAS Butterfly Garden in Overpeck County Park.

Pat Knight is Bergen Audubon’s very own native plant guru who has been working her magic and using her knowledge to greatly improve the biodiversity of the BCAS Overpeck Butterfly Garden.

Watch this space for updates on a new, upcoming WFDU program, Plants With Pat.

NJSEA staffer Ray Tanayan took this photo during a recent lunch break spent soaking in the beauty of DeKorte Park.

As Ray likes to say, we work in the middle of a beautiful park. Indeed, DeKorte Park brings a new sense of wonder and opportunity every day. Such is the park’s unique setting, in the intersect between the beauty and stillness of nature and the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Thank you Ray for your photos, and for reminding everyone that DeKorte Park is a tremendous, unique natural resource to be treasured.

The Bergen County Audubon Society leads a walk this Wednesday (March 4) at Mill Creek Marsh, a fantastic spot for birding in the Meadowlands. The walk goes from 10 a.m. to noon.

Meet at the trail entrance, off the back parking lot of Bob’s Discount Furniture, 3 Mill Creek Drive, Secaucus.

Contact:  Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Welcome in March as the Bergen County Audubon Society leads a walk through DeKorte Park, an environmental jewel in the Meadowlands. Keep your eyes peeled for waterfowl and raptors.

Meet outside the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.

Contact: Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Due to cloud cover, the William D. McDowell Observatory will be closed tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 25. The next scheduled viewing session is Wednesday, March 4, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Bergen County Audubon Society leads a walk through DeKorte Park, an environmental jewel in the Meadowlands. Keep your eyes peeled for waterfowl and raptors.

Meet outside the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.

Contact: Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Please note: DeKorte Park and the NJSEA offices will reopen at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Due to trail conditions resulting from the snowstorm, the Bergen Audubon Feb. 25 nature walk at DeKorte Park has been cancelled.

Due to the upcoming snowstorm, DeKorte Park will close at noon on Sunday, Feb. 22, and remain closed until further notice.

The next episode of Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino’s radio program, The Nature Connection, airs this Sunday, Feb. 22, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on WFDU 89.1 FM

This month’s show features Don’s interview with Anna Gassib, Executive Director of the Bergen County Equestrian Center. Anna is an ardent advocate for horses and how these majestic animals bring people joy and comfort through equine-assisted therapy.

Anna’s efforts include establishing Our Stable Life, a program that combines her skills as a life coach with equine therapy to empower men, women and children who are trying to find the correct path for their lives. Our Stable Life serves individuals struggling with addiction, children with special needs, behavioral issues, families who cope with mental illness, veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other matters.

The Bergen Equestrian Center is located in the Leonia section of Overpeck County Park.

The Nature Connection airs from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month and is archived on https://wfdu.fm/ for the following two weeks.