The County of Warren is pleased to offer free environmental education programming for small groups of all ages. Programs can be done at a county park or brought as an outreach program to schools, home school students, scouts, and other groups.

“We are delighted to offer free environmental programming in Warren County,” Commissioner Director James R. Kern III said, adding, “This environmental education not only fosters a deeper understanding of our natural world but also exemplifies a commitment to community enrichment through engaging programs.”

Free programming includes: Magnificent Mammals, Story and Search for Little Ones, Budding Birders, Amazing Adaptations, Tracking with Transmitters, Searching for Seeds, Stream and Pond Ecology, Searching for Salamanders, Seasonal Interpretative Hikes, and more. While programs are offered for all ages, some classes are better suited for different age groups and vary in length.

Additionally, PowerPoint Presentations are now being offered as a way to “bring the parks to you.” Programs run 45 minutes to an hour and include: Endangered and Threatened Species of NJ, Hummingbirds, Mammals of Warren County, Life on a Milkweed Plant, Monarch Butterflies, Wildflower Folklore, and Herpetology.

To discover what programs are the best fit, interested participants should visit the County’s website www.warrenparks.com/educational-activities for more information. Classes are led by Jennifer Correa-Kruegel, Park Naturalist with the county Land Preservation Department.

Prior to joining the Land Preservation Department in 2021, Ms. Correa-Kruegel worked as an Environmental Educator and Program Coordinator for Montclair University’s New Jersey School of Conservation. She previously worked for the Hunterdon County Park Commission as a Park Naturalist. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies as well as a master’s in Parks and Resource Management.

A Certified Master Herpetologist, Ms. Correa-Kruegel specializes in the study of reptiles and amphibians, including researching salamanders, wood turtles, painted turtles, and more. She is currently pursuing an Environmental Steward certification through Rutgers to further increase awareness of our environmental impact and create outdoor opportunities for everyone.

One way to become a steward for the environment in the Warren County community is to participate in the Commissioners’ Conservation Challenge. This urges county residents to create Wildlife Habitats in their community. They are then eligible to receive a Wildlife Habitat Certificate through the National Wildlife Federation: https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org. The goal of the initiative is to help Warren County become the first county to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.

To learn more or schedule a program, please contact Jennifer Correa-Kruegel at the Department of Land Preservation at jkruegel@co.warren.nj.us.

Jennifer Correa-Kruegel, Park Naturalist with the Warren County Land Preservation Department, leads one of the county’s free environmental education programs.