Hello Friends,
Welcome October. This is my favorite time of year. I do enjoy the flowers of Spring and Summer, but nothing beats the performance of trees on October’s grand stage. Their leaves don their dazzling costumes and dance to the quiet music of the crisp, gentle breeze. And what a stage we have in the Black Run Preserve! I encourage you to put on your favorite sweater or hoodie, sit on a bench, and enjoy the spectacular show that the changing season puts on.
Speaking of big changes… Please bear with us while we make a move!
Friends of Black Run Preserve is transitioning to a new website and membership platform this month. The new system will give us new tools and capabilities, but, as with any big move, we'll still be unpacking a few boxes after the doors open.
During this transition, some features of the website may be unavailable or still works in progress. In the meantime, we don't want that to keep you from joining us! You'll find our October events below, and until online registration is available, simply email us to let us know which of them you'd like to attend.
Look for a welcome email from our new website soon. It will provide information on how to access and review your user account. Thank you for your patience while we get settled. We look forward to welcoming you to our new online home, and continuing to improve it after the move.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(To register, please reply to this email with event and attendee names)
Mushrooms - Guided Nature Hike
Saturday, October 10
(meet at the Kettle Run Road East Trailhead at 9:30 am to check in)
Curious about the fascinating world of fungi? Join us for a guided 2-hour mushroom hike through the trails of the Black Run. We’ll explore the basics of mushroom identification, learn about the important role fungi play in the ecosystem and discover which species you might spot right here in the Pine Barrens.
Led by the New Jersey Mycological Association’s Brandon Roddy, this beginner-friendly walk is perfect for anyone looking to connect with nature, ask questions and gain a deeper appreciation for the hidden life beneath our feet. Our slow-paced walk will be approximately 2 miles with frequent stops on hard and soft sand trails with slight elevations, roots, stumps and some wet areas.
iNaturalist Hike
Sunday, October 11, 10:00 am-noon
(meet at the Kettle Run Road East Trailhead at 9:30 am to check in)
Join us for a closer look at the incredible biodiversity of the Black Run Preserve while learning how to use the free iNaturalist app to participate in community science.
We’ll begin at 10:00 a.m. and hike approximately 2 miles, using iNaturalist to take a deeper dive into the flora, fauna and fungi of the Black Run. Along the way, we’ll slow down, look closely and investigate what we find - from familiar species to some of the easily overlooked organisms that make the preserve their home.
Our walk will be led by Keara Giannotti, an iNaturalist Ambassador and Duke Farms Master Ecologist. She is the founder and Executive Director of Camp Creek Run and has spent more than 20 years connecting children and adults with the natural world through hands-on explorations and education.
Please download the free iNaturalist app from the Apple or Google Play Store before the hike.
https://www.inaturalist.org/
Clean Communities Clean-Up Day
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m - 1:00 pm
It’s clean-up time at the Black Run Preserve! Join us for our next Clean Communities Clean-Up Day event and help us get our Pinelands treasure ready for fall and winter exploration and activities. Lend a hand as we perform light trail maintenance and trash pick-up around the northern end of the preserve, starting at the Kettle Run Road East Trailhead.
Mystery Halloween Hike
Sunday, October 25, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Check in at 5:45pm at our Kettle Run Road East Trailhead for a 1-2 mile Mystery Halloween Hike through the forest! Along the way, you’ll encounter some spooky creatures and plenty of Halloween fun. Come enjoy a fun, spooky adventure in the woods! Costumes are welcome! We hope to see you there!
If you are not built for cooler weather, you can still enjoy the Black Run Preserve in a nice cozy environment. Stop by the Perkins Center for the Arts (123 South Elmwood Road, Marlton) during regular gallery hours and take a gander at all of the works in our FBRP 2026 Juried Photography and Art Exhibition. It runs from October 25 - December 9. If a piece moves you, you can purchase it and enjoy it in the comfort of your home, all year round. Save the date for our Meet the Artists and Awards Reception on November 7 (1-4pm).
I hope to see you out on the trails or at one of our upcoming events.
Jane Dean
FBRP President
The FBRP is a registered nonprofit organization under the IRS section 501(c) 3.