Montclair Backyard Habitat Tour: July 17, 2010, 10am-2pm - Free Event! 

All sites are National Wildlife Federation Certified Backyard Habitats

129 Lincoln, Montclair (Corner of Lincoln and Maple)

Meander on a winding recycled salvaged slate path through a five year old street corner butterfly garden. Underground drip watering system has not been necessary for three years. The organic lawn has had no pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers since 1999. It waters and feeds itself with clippings. Gravel driveway puts all rain and snow melt directly back in the aquifer--no run off into the sewer system. Fruit trees, berry bushes and small organic vegetable garden. Bring bags and shovels for free wood chip mulch from a downed tree.

69 Grove St., Montclair (Green house between Claremont Ave. and Grove Terrace)

This combination backyard habitat and organic vegetable garden features a wide variety of native trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials. The yard, a favorite of goldfinches, cardinals, catbirds, hummingbirds, Monarchs, and varieties of swallowtail butterflies, has been developing as a backyard habitat for nine years. Beautiful wildlife-friendly features have been extended to the front yard – even to the “hell strip” between curb and sidewalk. Come see how much can be done even on a relatively small lot.

Van Vleck Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair

Van Vleck Gardens is open to the public and always worth a visit; walk down the center drive to see our very special NWF certified Wildlife Habitat Garden. Designed in the shape of a butterfly it illustrates how even a small space can be wildlife-friendly. While you're here, also plan on strolling through the Tennis Court Garden, just north of the Ed Center.   It’s a formal garden with gorgeous summer blooms and a center fountain.  The perennial flowers and water feature insure that this is another good sight on the grounds for bird and butterfly watching.   

121 Christopher St., Montclair (Tutor style house between McDonough and Columbus with a large sugar maple in front)

Reawaken your senses in this backyard retreat. Escape the hubbub and noise of traffic as cascading waterfalls and stream relax you. Watch as the chirping birds, flittering butterflies and scampering chipmunks dash from their habitat to the native bounties shared by all. Take in the fragrances of native honeysuckle, lavender, lemon thyme, and rosemary. Peruse the bountiful harvest from an organic vegetable garden including raspberry, blueberry and blackberry bushes. Or perhaps you would prefer to spend a few moments sipping lemonade in the micro-woodland retreat.

23 Dodd Street, Montclair

This habitat features a pond with a waterfall and a small stream.   Bird houses, bird feeders, bird baths, and several bushes and trees provide food, shelter, and water for many species of birds while blueberry bushes, apple trees, and a vegetable garden help feed the people.  This year black capped chickadees raised young in one of the bird houses and house wrens in another.  We are hoping a bluebird stops by.

Anderson Park (Begin tour on the North Mountain Avenue side of the park, about midway between Parkside Rd. and Bellevue Ave.; Tours will take place from 10:00-12:00)

Friends of Anderson Park will have a representative on hand from 10:00-12:00 to provide tours of the park pointing out the many wildlife-friendly features their organization has included in the park as they restore it to its Olmsted-designed glory. Beautifully landscaped plantings of native shrubs and trees have made Anderson park a haven for a wide variety of birds as well as a pleasant and tranquil spot for human visitors. Come and find out more about this jewel of the Essex County park system.