Bird Walking Tour
The months of May and October are busy times for nesting and migrating birds, as a variety of species moves through the area. During these times, Friends of Fairview invites the public to join us for bird watching tours, to observe many of these species in the early morning hours. The group meets to explore the grounds and discover the thrilling sounds of songbirds in a pastoral setting of blossoming fruit trees and daffodils in spring and turning leaves in fall. During the tours, we highlight Fairview’s rain garden and pond, both water sources favored by birds. Binoculars and walking shoes are the only requirement to join in.
The tour is led by Pete Axelrod, a lifelong naturalist. With a background in Wildlife Biology, Pete has been involved with birding adventures in New Jersey including voluntary work with the Great Swamp, the New Jersey Audubon Society, and the Raptor Trust. Pete also worked for Wild Birds Unlimited in Scotch Plains, giving lectures and instructions on the value of backyard birding.
Be sure to check our Events page for scheduled dates and information, as you will need to register to attend.
Tree Walking Tour
Whether in spring, when the grounds are full of blossoming fruit trees, or in the fall, when the leaves are turning bright yellow, red, and orange, Fairview is pleased to host it’s annual tree observation tours. The public is invited to join in these walking tours to view some of the 104 catalog species within the grounds. Led by Dr. Tom Ombrello, Professor of Biology at Union County College, the tours features a variety of noteworthy species in our collection, highlighting interesting facts and characteristics, historical significance, and beauty of the trees. Sharing anecdotes and considerable knowledge, Dr. Ombrello’s tree walks are always entertaining and educational.
Be sure to check our Events page for scheduled dates and information, as you will need to register to attend.
Butterfly Release
Fairview Cemetery partners with Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss, to host butterfly release ceremonies at different times throughout the year. The physical release of butterflies allows the continuation of our growth as an arboretum with the pollination that they provide, but the butterfly release ceremonies carry even more meaning.
The butterflies, in relation to grief, symbolically represent change, hope, and transformation. We recognize that with loss comes change, and when families are given opportunities to mourn their loss, hope and transformation can follow. In some cultures, butterflies are thought to be the living embodiment of endurance and resilience. The release of the butterflies in these ceremonies is comparable to one’s journey of grief and what they endure as they mourn their loss. We recognize that grief is hard, as is the change that butterflies endure throughout their lifespan.
Sometimes when a loss occurs, grief can bring about feelings of isolation. These ceremonies create a space where you can see you are not alone. We set an intentional shared space and moment to mourn our losses as a community. For some, this may feel like a sign from their person who died. For others, this may provide opportunities for expression and release of the heavy weight that grief carries as the actual butterflies are released. We hope that these ceremonies provide a sense of connection, community, and meaning for all of our families.
Check out some photos from recent events at Fairview!
