CU in October

CU IN October

UPCOMING EVENTS:

TUESDAY ON THE FLY: PSEG / Salem/ Tuesday, October 6
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FRIDAY: JERSEY DEVIL HUNT / Millville / Fri., Oct. 16 & 23
CU SATURDAY: FALL FOLLIAGE PADDLE /Millville / Saturday, October 17
AUTUMN DINNER / Millville / Thursday, October 22
4TH SATURDAY WALK / Millville / Saturday, October 24
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A BUG: BEETLES/ Millville / Tuesday, October 27

Splash into Science

Get hands-on with vital research and restoration initiatives. Join our volunteer community science team on the river to have a direct impact on aquatic habitat health!

These community science surveys are part of a larger wetland restoration project on the Wild & Scenic Manumuskin River, funded by Restore America's Estuaries. As part of this effort, volunteers are helping document how the habitat responds to restoration through photo point monitoring, avian surveys, fish monitoring, and other ecological assessments. The opportunities below are ways you can be part of this important work.

Rare Species Survey

We will survey the wetlands for rare species occurrences directly from the water, via canoe or kayak. Everyone will be trained on our survey methods in the field on day one. If you have a boat and a way to transport it, that would be incredibly helpful. While kayaks work fine, surveying from a canoe is generally more comfortable for this work. Canoes carry gear better, offer a higher line of sight for spotting target species, and allow a two-person team to split up data collection and note-taking duties. As a heads-up for launching, we will be putting in and taking out from a floating dock.

Fish Survey

This survey evaluates fish population responses to habitat restoration by focusing on minnow assemblages. On day one, we deploy 24 minnow traps and document water-quality parameters throughout the survey area. On day two, traps are retrieved to tally the total catch. Both monitoring days require a kayak or canoe to access the sites.

1.TUESDAY ON THE FLY: PSEG - OCTOBER 6

Join us for a visit to the PSEG Energy & Environmental Resource Center to explore the complex relationship between energy production and environmental stewardship. Meeting society's growing energy needs while protecting natural resources requires balancing environmental, economic, and social considerations. Participants will learn about today's energy landscape, the role of different energy sources in the U.S. and around the world, and the challenges of meeting future energy demands while reducing environmental impacts.

The presentation will also highlight PSEG's Estuary Enhancement Program, an initiative that has restored and enhanced more than 20,000 acres of salt marsh and adjacent uplands, improving valuable habitat for fish and wildlife. These restoration efforts help support the Ecological Outstandingly Remarkable Value of the Maurice River, where healthy marshes serve as essential habitat for migratory birds, spawning fish, and countless other species. By exploring both energy production and habitat restoration, this program offers an opportunity to better understand the difficult decisions and tradeoffs that are often part of conservation and sustainability..

WHAT

Tuesday on the Fly:

PSEG

WHEN

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

9:00 a.m.

WHERE

PSEG Energy & Environment Resource Center

244 Chestnut Street

Salem, NJ 08079

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

You can sign up for this event

by clicking the button below.

Be Prepared

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes.

2.FAMILY-FRIENDLY FRIDAY: JERSEY DEVIL HUNT - OCTOBER 16 & 23

Wrap up 2026's Family-Friendly Friday series with an evening celebrating one of the Maurice River watershed's Outstandingly Remarkable Values—its culture. The Pine Barrens have long inspired stories, music, and folklore, with the legend of the Jersey Devil becoming one of New Jersey's most enduring traditions. Join us around the campfire for hot dogs and roasted marshmallows while enjoying Piney folk music and tales that have been passed down through generations.

As darkness settles in, Russell Juelg, Senior Land Steward with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, will share the history and folklore surrounding the Jersey Devil before leading a guided walk beneath the stars. With no flashlights or headlamps to light the way, participants will rely on their senses to experience the sights and sounds of the Pine Barrens after dark. Whether or not the Jersey Devil reveals itself, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for how the stories, traditions, and landscapes of the Maurice River watershed are woven together, reminding us that conservation is about protecting cultural heritage as well as the natural world.

WHAT

Family-Friendly Friday:

Jersey Devil Hunt

WHEN

Friday, October 16, 2026 &

Friday, October 23, 2026

6:00 p.m.

WHERE

Private Residences in Millville

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Please let us know you plan on attending

by using the button below.

Be Prepared

Please be aware that participants will take part in a walk through the forest, illuminated only by moonlight. Wear appropriate clothes and comfortable walking shoes. There may be areas of uneven ground and low-hanging branches. Please bring a chair and roasting stick for the campfire.

3.CU SATURDAY: FALL FOLIAGE PADDLE - OCTOBER 17

Join CU Maurice River for a seasonal paddle along the Wild and Scenic Menantico Creek as autumn transforms the landscape with vibrant fall color. Winding through Atlantic white cedar swamps, hardwood forests, and quiet backwaters, Menantico Creek offers a peaceful opportunity to experience one of the Maurice River watershed's Outstandingly Remarkable Values—its scenic beauty. As we paddle, we'll take in the changing leaves, watch for wildlife, and enjoy the tranquility that makes this river so special.

This guided outing also offers an opportunity to appreciate the creek's rich ecological significance. Menantico Creek provides important habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife, illustrating how healthy waterways support both biodiversity and the scenic landscapes that define the Maurice River watershed. Whether you're joining us for the fall foliage, the wildlife, or simply time on the water, this paddle is a wonderful way to celebrate the changing season.

WHAT

CU Saturday:

Fall Foliage Paddle

WHEN

Saturday, September 19, 2026

9:00 a.m.

WHERE

Menantico Creek

Millville, NJ 08332

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Please let us know you plan on attending

by using the button below.

Be Prepared

Be prepared for a morning on the water. Dress appropriately and bring plenty of water. Participants are required to provide their own boats, paddles, and PFD's.

4. AUTUMN DINNER - OCTOBER 22

The CU Maurice River Events Committee is holding A Casual Autumn Dinner / Fall Fun-raiser for members, businesses, and other friends on Thursday, October 22nd, at the Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club. This is an enjoyable way to connect with others while also showing your support for CU Maurice River's mission. Don't forget to make your reservation as soon as possible since space is limited!

Come celebrate fall and the good works of CU Maurice River!

WHAT

A Casual Autumn Dinner

WHEN

Thursday, October 22, 2026

6:00 p.m. - Social

7:00 p.m. - Dinner

WHERE

Union Lake Sailing Club

1200 Starling Drive

Millville, NJ 08332

MENU CHOICES

Beef filet, salmon, or vegetarian

COST & REGISTRATION

$100.00 donation per person.

Click the button below to RSVP and make your payment online,

or call the office at (856) 300-5331.

If you prefer to pay by check:

Make payable to:

CU Maurice River

PO Box 474,

Millville, NJ 08332

Use this button to pay by credit card:

Be Prepared

Plan to have fun! Dining will take place both indoors and outdoors on the deck - weather permitting. Make sure to dress for the forecast. The event is casual and you should wear footwear that is comfortable on sandy surfaces. Make your reservation as soon as possible since spots fill up quickly! Also remember to send us your logo if you are representing a organization or business.

5. 4th SATURDAY WALK - OCTOBER 28

Fourth Saturday Walks are back, offering a friendly, guided outing with CU Maurice River Naturalists Tony Klock and Mary Watkins at The Nature Conservancy's Manumuskin River Preserve. This scenic acreage features forested trails, river overlooks, and diverse wildlife, making it an inviting place to explore and learn about local habitats.

Each month brings a new perspective as the Preserve shifts with the seasons. Whether it is emerging spring growth, summer activity along the river, or the changing colors of fall, these walks offer a simple and enjoyable way to experience the beauty of the Wild & Scenic Maurice River year-round.

WHAT

4th Saturday Walk

WHEN

Saturday, October 24, 2026

9:00 a.m.

WHERE

Manumuskin River Preserve

Barth Road

Millville, NJ 08348

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Please let us know you plan on coming by using the button below.

Be Prepared

Bring your binoculars, as well as snacks and water to stay refreshed during the walk. Dress appropriately for the weather; wearing sturdy, boots, or sneakers is suggested.

6. WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A BUG: BEETLES - OCTOBER 27

Beetles are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, occupying nearly every habitat and playing essential roles in healthy ecosystems. Join CU Maurice River and Dr. Dan Duran, an entomologist at Rowan University and a naturalist with the Scotland Run Nature Center, for an engaging introduction to these remarkable insects as we explore their incredible diversity, fascinating behaviors, and ecological importance. From decomposers and pollinators to predators and scavengers, beetles are vital to the ecological health of the Maurice River watershed—one of its Outstandingly Remarkable Values.

Following the presentation, participants are invited to put their new knowledge into practice during an insect-focused BioBlitz in the WheatonArts Urban Oasis. Together, we'll search for and identify the beetles and other insects that call this landscape home, gaining a deeper appreciation for the often-overlooked creatures that help keep our ecosystems functioning.

WHAT

What It's Like to Be a Bug:

Beetles

WHEN

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

2:00 p.m.

WHERE

WheatonArts

1000 Village Drive

Millville, NJ 08332

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Please let us know you plan on attending