New Jersey Highlands Council

10/10/2026

Not so itsy bitsy. (It's October, you had to expect that we'd have something creepy crawly to post!) This is the 6-spotted fishing spider. A native species to the , this spider can catch fish up to 5 times its body size and uses its venom to paralyze its prey. They're out during the day and can be found in most open water areas. They're patient hunters and use ripples in the water surface or movement seen in their 8 eyes to know where their prey are.

As per usual, our staff photographer was stomping around the when he shot this.

10/09/2026

And agenda and related materials have been posted for the Highlands Council publicmeeting scheduled for next Thursday, October 15, at 4:00 p.m.

10/09/2026

Cool Color Info from our friends at the The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation!

Fun fall facts! 🍃🍂

10/09/2026

It's Friday so that means a post! And 'tis the season... for OKTOBER FESTS! 🍻 You probably can't throw a stone in the Highlands region without hitting an Oktober- or fall-fest type thing this time of year (we do not condone stone-throwing), so it's tough to single out any, but the Mount Olive Oktoberfest at Turkey Brook Park has earned a reputation as a darn good time for all ages. Seriously, how can you not be tempted by an event that bills "Flying chickens" 🐔 among its activities? Get the details here: 🔗 https://champ.ly/4_-S_pKR 🔗


Mount Olive Recreation

Sun, Oct 11 2026, 12 - 5pm GoogleOutlook (ical) Back to Calendar Oktoberfest at the Park Celebrate fall with an afternoon of Oktoberfest traditions, family fun, and festive flair at Turkey Brook Park. This outdoor celebration blends authentic German culture with games, food, and activities for all a...

10/07/2026

Curious about what's been happening at the Highlands Council? Check out the September Update report. 🔗 https://champ.ly/6uRlZW0K 🔗

10/06/2026

! ☮🧘‍♀️🌳🌲

SAT, Oct 17 & SAT, Nov 21 - Join us for a Mindfulness Workshop!
Walking meditations offer a gentle approach to mindfulness; participants walk slowly and intentionally, focusing on each step and inhalation to cultivate awareness in the present moment. Our moving meditation deepens self-awareness and reveals greater insight into one's thoughts and feelings. A portion of our time together will be dedicated to personal reflection and journaling.

- $16 per person
- Open to ages 18 and up
- This is a gentle walk at an easy pace with frequent stops
- Outdoor program; please dress accordingly. Shoes are required
- Bring water, a journal, and a pen/pencil
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-new-weis-center-17386927455

10/06/2026

So excited to be a part of this great event.

10/03/2026

Did you know that slight changes in temperature can directly influence the -leggedgrasshopper physical size? The warmer the larger. Scientists use this information to better understand temperature fluctuations caused by climate change. The time it takes for them to reach adulthood offer concrete, biological proof of accelerated regional warming compared to the same species in the 1950s. (source NIH, Univ. of Colorado and Univ. of Washington). Oh, and they're all over North America, including, obviously, the .

Photo by

10/02/2026

You’ve probably driven past them. Maybe you’ve fished or paddled on them. Maybe you've done a hike near them. The New Jersey Highlands region is home to several drinking water reservoirs that serve residents both inside and well outside the Highlands boundary. Tomorrow is the last day of Source Water Protection Week. If you’re seeing this post in New Jersey there’s a good chance you get some or all of your drinking water from the NJ Highlands region. Get to know the source behind your tap water. Learn more at nj.gov/njhighlands.


📸 Images
1. Butler Reservoir, Kinnelon Borough
2. Charlotteburg Reservoir, West Milford
3. Oak Ridge Reservoir, Jefferson Township
4. Split Rock Reservoir, Rockaway Township
5. Highlands Water Use

10/01/2026