Surviving the Pine Barrens

Explore the great outdoors with a series of engaging events designed to enhance your understanding of nature and promote community involvement.

**Surviving the Pine Barrens**: Embark on a 4.5-mile hike along the Mt. Misery Trail, where participants will learn about the local wildlife, including bears and rattlesnakes, and safety tips for navigating the Pine Barrens. Essential items include suitable clothing for the weather, bug spray, and water. For more details, call (609) 726-1191 or email finn.westphal@dep.nj.gov. Meeting location directions are available on the Brendan T. Byrne Facebook page.

**Nature Walk**: Join the Cape May Point State Park staff for a short, educational hike focusing on local birds, park history, and lighthouse lore. For more information, contact the park office at (609) 884-2159.

**National Trails Day Walk & Visioning Session**: Celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a guided walk and community engagement session at the Bloomfield segment of New Jersey’s newest state park. The one-mile walk will begin at 9:30 a.m., exploring the transformation of a former rail corridor into a recreation and transit route. Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and bring sunscreen and water. The visioning session offers an opportunity to share ideas for the park's development, which aims to provide outdoor recreation for over 1.5 million residents. Advance registration for the walk is recommended but not required; visit bit.ly/NationalTrailsDayBloomfield for more details.

Enjoy these informative experiences while connecting with nature and your community!