"One Book Bernardsville" Offers Walks in the Woods

Bernardsville Public Library's "One Book Bernardsville" is more than a series of book discussions of Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail." Just as Mr. Bryson celebrates the outdoors, so will three guided programs in the area allow participants to enjoy our environment and learn about the animals and plants that inhabit it.

The first walk will be held in Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge on Saturday, October 11. Get tips on how to prepare for a “walk in the woods” and how to behave when you are there. Led by park naturalist Christa Wood, this is an improvisational hike on level trails highlighting what’s occurring in nature at this time of year. Meet at Lord Stirling Park, 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge at 8:45 am in the lobby of the Environmental Education Center. Advance sign-up is requested, but there's no charge to come along. 

On Saturday, October 18, experienced Appalachian Trail hiker and library volunteer Bob Baker will lead a day hike on a portion of the Appalachian Trail that runs through New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap. The group will meet at 9:00 am and hike toward Sun Fish Pond. Hikers should bring lunch and water. Details and the meet-up location will be emailed to participants a week ahead. There is no charge to attend, but advance sign-up is required. [This hike is suitable for older teens and adults.]

One of the most spectacular fall sights is the migration of the raptor. On Saturday, October 25 at 1:00 pm, the library will sponsor a program at the NJ Audubon Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary. A PowerPoint presentation on our local birds of prey will be followed by a walk on the sanctuary grounds enjoying the wildlife and the beautiful fall scenery. The sanctuary protects 276 acres of woodland, field and floodplain habitat where over 200 species of birds have been sighted, and is home to over 60 species of nesting birds. This walk is for adults and children aged ten and up. It's free; advance registration is required and is limited to 25.

Advance registration for these walks will enable the library to contact participants in case of inclement weather.

One Book Bernardsville is shared community reading experience which includes a month of book discussions as well as other activities for both adults and children. Detailed information on all the events during the month is available at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/one-book-bernardsville. All the programs are free. To sign up for the events, go to www.bernardsville.library.org or call 908-766-0118.