Evening hike scheduled for Aug. 27
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - The New Jersey Forest Service and the Jackson Pathfinders will host the sixth annual Full Moon Hike at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Forest Resource Education Center, off of Don Connor Boulevard.

Scouts, families and groups of all ages are invited to the free 1-mile trail hike.

"The glow of the rising full moon will light the way as we explore the plant life and animals of the Pinelands," said forest service communication assistant Mandy DiMartino. "Adventurous visitors are encouraged to use their 'night vision' and not rely on flashlights to see, as the night falls."

DeMartino said interpreters and accompanying visitors on the twilight walk will stop at points along the trail to listen for birds, identify plant species and discuss wildlife.

"During past hikes the Jersey Devil has appeared," she said. "So be sure to keep a look out."

Usually there to play tricks on people, the Jersey Devil is mischievous, but not mean, said Terry O'Leary, the Forest Resource Education Center education coordinator.

"It's a family event," O'Leary said. "We usually have so many people come that we have to split the groups so they're not too crowded."

Hikers should wear sturdy footwear and bring insect repellant.

The Forest Resource Education Center is operated by the state Depart-ment of Environmental Protection's New Jersey Forest Service and is committed to providing conservation education programs that promote the benefits of trees and forest stewardship to all age groups at no cost.

The Forest Resource Education Center is on 660 acres in Jackson. The New Jersey Forest Tree Nursery uses 45 acres of the site to grow 300,000 seedlings yearly for reforestation across the state. For more information visit the Web site at www.njforestrycenter.org.

The Jackson Pathfinders, a volunteer organization, started in 1999 and works to preserve open space, maintain hiking trails and encourages pride in Jackson. For more information visit www.jacksonpathfinders.org

For more information about the Aug. 27 hike, call (732) 928-2360.

O'Leary noted that there will be a fall foresty festival held on the first weekend in October. During the winter there are different wood craft workshops which are offered by the center and in the spring there is a trail exploration day.