Weekend events at Wallkill River Refuge

VERNON — The public is invited to attend a "Star Party" on Friday, May 17 and "Explore Life in the Stream" on Sunday, May 19 at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, 1547 County Rt. 565 in Vernon.

Skylands Astronomy Club will set up their telescopes outside to view Jupiter and its moons, Saturn with its rings, and the craters of the Moon. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. The public will be able to view these and over a million stars.

People are welcome to bring their own telescopes, but all will be able to look through several that club members will bring. In case of rain, the event will be held Saturday, May 18. A notice will be posted on the website www.fwrnwr.org on Friday.

On Sunday, Americorps Watershed Ambassador, Frank Elmuccio will show the variety of small life to be found in the water. The program will start at 1 p.m. with an intro to the Dragonflies, diving beetles, crayfish, stoneflies and more of the macro invertebrates that dwell in the stream. Guests will be able to learn about the health of the water. The program includes a trip to the stream to collect samples and identify the creatures found.

Both events are free and open to all ages. For more information call the Refuge at 973-702-7266 ext. 10 or the Friends of Wallkill River program chair 973-702-1957.