Enjoying one of Essex County’s many parks (Miriam Jarney)
Education at Essex County Environmental Center
Recycling and Environmental Education in Essex County
The ECUA proudly supports and promotes the efforts of the Essex County Environmental Center, an environmental education
center with a mission to create awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the environment and its relationship to Essex County residents. The Center, a facility of the Essex County Park System, is dedicated to uniting its twenty-two communities through integrated educational programs including hands-on activities.
Essex County Environmental Center
- 621-B Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ
Click HERE to view our Parks Calendar and Register Online Today!
ECEC is operating on a Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 5pm schedule and will be CLOSED on MONDAYS through March 9, 2026.
Garden Discovery Club
Tuesdays, April 21; May 5, 19; June 9, 23; July 7, 21; August 4, 18; September 8; – 4pm to 5pm
For ages 5 and up. Together we’ll grow food in our garden plot and learn about everything from soil to seeds along the way. Participants will get hands-on experience with planting, harvesting and cooking. Session themes include soil and composting, seed planting and labeling, thinning, weeding and watering, selective harvest, garden pests, healthy eating and more! This is a drop-off and pick-up class (children only). This is a 10-class session series; must sign up for the entire series.
Fee: $150 per session series
Nature Explorers Summer Camp
Teen Trailblazers Cit Camp
June 29th – July 2nd (4-day camp)
Monday to Thursday; 9:30am to 1:30pm; $320 per child per week
For ages 13 to 16. Captain a canoe! Navigate the trail! Lead a frog pond exploration! Learn First Aid! Through teambuilding and outdoor adventures, this leadership program gives teens the confidence, motivation, and skills to become positive mentors for younger campers this summer and beyond.
Teen Trailblazers Register Here
Summer Wildlife Explorers
August 24th – August 28th (4-day camp)
Monday to Friday; 9:30am to 1:30pm; $400 per child per week
For ages 6 to 10. Campers enjoy stories, crafts, campfires, and forest adventures exploring our wetland forest in the last week of summer!
New Horticulture Themed Programming!
In Partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Essex County
For more information and to schedule, email Program Coordinator, David Alexander, dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org
Kitchen Gardens
Bring the vibrant flavors of garden herbs into your kitchen year-round and harvest fresh while cooking! We’ll dig into the essentials of indoor cultivation and whether you’re a culinary enthusiast or a beginner gardener, you’ll leave with the confidence to maintain a thriving, aromatic kitchen garden that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. (Herbs discussed may include basil, cilantro, oregano, thyme, parsley, chives, dill, lemonbalm and sage). Led by Roxana Marroquin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Seed Saving 101
Learn to collect, process and properly store seeds from your garden, while deep diving into the types and parts of seeds. Through a hands-on activity for all ages, participants will learn techniques for seed saving. We will review how to start and care for seeds, as well as the importance of seed preservation. Led by Roxana Marroquin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Intro To Food Systems and Food Justice
A presentation that will introduce terms and concepts of food systems, such as local agriculture, industrial agriculture, food insecurity, food access, and food justice. Through an interactive discussion, participants will reflect on their local food system, how it impacts them and their community and how to become active participants in how food is grown, distributed and consumed around them. Led by Roxana Marroquin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Art In Nature (Also available as a Birthday Party theme!)
Allowing ourselves to be inspired by nature, we’ll walk outdoors to observe the different colors, shapes, textures and sounds that the season has to offer. We’ll collect materials from nature and bring them back indoors to create expressive and unique works of art that can range from collage, sculpture, plant prints or mixed media. Led by Roxana Marroquin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Grow and Glow: Herbs for Self-Care (Also available as a Birthday Party theme!)
Explore our trails and gardens to learn about different herbs that can be used for self-care to reduce stress, boost confidence and to promote radiant skin and hair. Participants will create their own herbal products to take home – you choose: bath salts or sugar scrub. Led by Roxana Marroquin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources.
2026 Essex County Parks Photography Contest
Submissions are due by Wednesday, September 9
Grab a camera and visit an Essex County Park! Anyone with a camera is invited and encouraged to submit photos that capture a part of your visit to the County Park System. For rules and regulations, please contact the Essex County Environmental Center at 973.228.8776. David Alexander dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org
Education at the ECEC
What's Happening at the Environmental Center?
West Essex Park, Home of the Essex County Environmental Center
