Remembering Jill Bennetta

It is with great sadness that Flat Rock Brook Nature Center informs our community of the passing of our beloved Education Director Jill Bennetta who passed away on July 11th at the age of 43. 

Jill was a treasured part of the Flat Rock Brook family for the last 13 years.  She was hired as our Education Director in July 2005.  Jill was a great teacher, a talented administrator of programming, and esteemed in her field of environmental education.

She started our outreach programming in schools, greatly enhanced our summer camp, and was one of the foremost experts in New Jersey on birds of prey.  She was integral in the planning and design of our new four-bay aviary.  Thanks to Jill’s vision, we provide a home for non-releasable raptors.  We currently house two owls, two hawks and an American Kestrel.  She was also central in the concept, design and execution of our $1 million exhibit renovation that was completed in 2012, working hundreds of hours with the design team to make our Nature Center exhibit room one of the best in the state. 

But most importantly, Jill was a wonderful person.  She was exceptionally kind and always ready to help anyone.  Jill will always be remembered for her warm and friendly nature.  She was also the embodiment of a Naturalist sharing her knowledge of the natural world while inspiring tens of thousands of people at Flat Rock Brook.  She is an inspiration to those of us who follow in her footsteps to continue the work of protecting our planet, and passing on knowledge to future generations.

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Flat Rock Fridays

 Ring in the New Moon

Friday, August 10  8:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Join us for our special Friday night programs. Bring the family (children 10+). Where has the moon gone? Why is it so dark outside? Why are the stars so bright?  Come on this night hike to learn what it means to have a new moon and why it is sometimes hard to see in the sky.              Hike is 2-3 miles long.  Bring a flashlight. Bugspray is highly recommended!

Call (201) 567-1265 to reserve your spot.

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Flat Rock Brook is pleased to announce the award of a $4,000 grant from the Community Chest of Englewood to provide continuing support for the Nature Center’s environmental education initiatives. The grant will enhance our ability to provide education programs for the thousands of area adults and students to learn about the natural world. The Community Chest has been a long-time supporter of Flat Rock Brook, providing over $125,000 in grant funds over the past 25 years. We also appreciate the Community Chest’s continued support of our education initiatives in the Englewood Public School District, and their leadership regarding the excellent Professional Development Series they offer area nonprofits, which several members of the Flat Rock Brook staff.

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One of Flat Rock Brook's most popular exhibits is our aviary where we house 5 birds of prey that are all unable to be released into the wild.  Their home is now Flat Rock Brook, where our staff provides the care that they need.  Our birds act as animal ambassadors and help us teach thousands of people each year about protecting and respecting wildlife. 

Help support our special birds!  Various adoption levels allow our supporters to provide food, enrichment, and enclosure maintenance for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or 1 year.  Each level offers different benefits, such as a photo and certificate of adoption for your raptor or even a meet and greet! 

Choose your raptor today!  Raptor adoptions make great gifts!

Visit Flat Rock Brook Adopt-a-Raptor to adopt and learn more.

Flat Rock Brook wants to recognize and extend a big "thanks" to our newest adopters!

Hero Level:  Corinne Hoexter, Michael Shannon
Champion Level:  Jeff & Rosemary Russell
Caregiver Level:   Jill Abbott 
Friend: Joellen Knie

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