Somerset County Park Commission to Host Free Scavenger Hunt at Lord Stirling Park

Participants Will Pursue Clues While Learning About the Environment
The event will occur on Sunday, April 24, from 12 to 3 p.m. Participants should sign in between 12 and 1 p.m., to obtain their clues.

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County Park Commission’s Environmental Education Center will be hosting a “Swamp Search Scavenger Hunt” at Lord Stirling Park on Sunday, April 24. Participants will hike the trails while searching for answers to clues and learning about the importance of the Great Swamp as an ecological and recreational resource. The event is appropriate for all ages including scout groups, adults, families and friends.

“This is a great opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors and learn interesting facts about the Great Swamp,” said Somerset County Secretary-Director Geoffrey Soriano. “Participants may even get a chance to interact with a few live critters that serve as education ambassadors.”

The Great Swamp is an important habitat used for migration, resting and feeding, and as a permanent home for more than 244 species of birds. Other species that inhabit the area, include deer, fish, fox, frogs, muskrat, raccoons, snakes, turtles, bears and beavers, as well as many insects and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants.

The swamp is also a critical flood plain for mitigation during extreme weather conditions. Like a sponge, the swamp absorbs floodwaters for gradual release. It also improves the area’s water quality by acting as a natural ecological filter that traps sediments and contaminants.

Scavenger Hunt Date, Time and Location
The event will occur at the Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center located at 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, on Sunday, April 24, from 12 to 3 p.m. Participants should sign in between 12 and 1 p.m., to obtain their scavenger hunt clues. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person. For more information, call 908-722-1200 ext. 5002.

The Environmental Education Center (EEC) at Lord Stirling Park
The EEC offers approximately nine miles of hiking trails, naturalist-led programs, school field trips, fun festivals, nature-themed exhibits, facility and classroom rentals, a resource library, science and conservation research, and more. The EEC’s goal is to improve environmental literacy in Somerset County and beyond.

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