February 19, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 Area Audubon to present ‘Return of the Raptors’ program The New Jersey Botanical Garden invites the community to the Return of the Raptors program set for 1 p.m. on Feb. 23. Don Torino of the Bergen County Audu- bon Society will present an indoor photo pre- sentation on the dramatic return of the bald eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, and other fas- cinating birds of prey, touching on the many different species that inhabit this region and how many have returned from the brink of extinction. (This program does not include live specimens.) This program is free and will be held indoors at the Carriage House Visitor Center. The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day in the winter, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rest of the year. Admission to the garden is always free. Parking is also free in the fall, winter, and spring. In 1966, the State of New Jersey purchased the 1,117 acres of Skylands, a former country estate and the state’s first acquisition under the Green Acres preservation program. Gov- ernor Thomas Kean designated the central 96 acres surrounding the manor house as the state’s official botanical garden in 1984. Since 1976, NJBG/Skylands Associa- tion, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization, has worked with the state to preserve and protect Skylands and its historic structures. NJBG sponsors volunteer gardeners, educational programs, concerts and events throughout the year at the botani- cal garden. NJBG receives no funding from the State of New Jersey or from on-site opera- tors. Donations and sponsorships are always appreciated. NJBG/Skylands is located on Morris Road in Ringwood. For an event schedule, mem- bership brochure, directions, or other infor- mation, call (973) 962-9534 or visit www. njbg.org. A bald eagle is one of the birds of prey that will be featured at the ‘Return of the Raptors’ program. (Photo courtesy of Kristen Nicholas.)