Terning Point: Bird-Related Art And Music Events Planned For Hoboken Through June

HOBOKEN, NJ — During the covid pandemic, when people were staying close to home, many took up the pastime of bird-watching. And various species of birds have made the mile-square city their home over the years, including a colony of terns who built a nest the waterfront.

Local animal admirers and activists last year launched an effort to make the tern the official bird of the mile-square city, and to protect their habitats. Now they've scheduled a series of art and music events over two months to celebrate the birds.

On Thursday, two Hoboken residents and nature lovers, Jeffrey Train and Noelle Thurlow, will lead a related lecture and slide show at the Hoboken Public Library.

The event is called. "As the Earth Terns: The remarkable story of a colony of terns and the concerted effort to preserve their home at Hoboken’s waterfront."

The event is co-sponsored by the Fund for a Better Waterfront and will run from 5 to 7 p.m.

The pair "will relate the remarkable comeback story of the common tern and their proposed strategy for ensuring the birds’ safe return to Hoboken’s waterfront each year," said organizers.

They said that a colony of terns has arrived at the waterfront each May to nest and raise their young until they head to South America when fall comes.

Thurlow, Train, and resident Juan Melli started the group Our Tern in 2024 to protect the birds from displacement.

"The return of this long-distance migratory bird is a sign of a revitalized lower-Hudson River Estuary," said organizers.

The pair will speak about their plan to create a floating nesting island to ensure that the terns can return to the riverfront.

The event is free and takes place at the library, 500 Park Ave., in the Large Program room. Light refreshments will be served, but space is limited.

An RSVP is required. Signups are here: https://betterwaterfront.org/as-the-earth-terns-a-free-slide-lecture-and-discussion-on-april-17-2025/

Tern Art Exhibit, Events Around Town

As part of the effort to designate the tern as the state bird, the Hoboken Business Alliance has launched "The Hoboken Tern Parade," a collaborative public art installation presented in partnership with Our Tern.

The "parade" features artistic renditions of the tern placed in more than 30 local businesses throughout the mile-square city.

This "art trail" will be on view through June 30.

The HBA has invited residents and visitors to "explore Hoboken’s vibrant commercial corridors, celebrating local ecology, sustainability, and community spirit," during the businesses' open hours.

Featured events and activities will include:

• Passport to Fun: The Hoboken Tern Parade Scavenger Hunt: Beginning April 1 and running until June 1, the Hoboken Public Library will host scavenger hunts featuring fun, facts and opportunities for prizes.
• Sparrow Wine and Liquor: On April 10, 902 Brewery will host a tasting of their Tern-inspired creation “Our Tern on Tap.”
• The library event on April 17 (see above).
• Main Street Pops: On April 27, Our Tern, Urban Arts, and Resilience Paddle Sports will host an Earth Day celebration.
• Little City Books: Throughout the parade Little City Books will feature bird books and field guides.
• Hoboken Historical Museum: Throughout the parade, visit the Hoboken Historical Museum exhibit The Hoboken Meadows, which explores Hoboken’s Salt Marsh history.
• Fleet Feet Turn our for Terns: On June 11, Our Tern will host a fun run with a pit stop to observe the tern colony near their nesting grounds.
• Mario’s Pizza: Throughout the parade, Mario’s Pizza will feature a special RigaTERNi Pizza slice.
• Better Birding & Beyond: Every Wednesday in May, Mr. Train will host birdwalks, jokes, and facts at the Hoboken Public Library.
• Dozzino: Throughout the parade, Dozzino restaurant will host colorings and greetings of a unique Tern ornament.
• Tunes record shop: Throughout the Parade songs can be requested on the “Tern Table.”
• Schmitty’s Pub: On June 14, see the Terns together in one space for a celebration and “tern, tern, tern” with Dave Lambert.
• 12th Street Public Pier: The Terns will be on “parade” parallel to the stars of our show, the Tern Colony

The full list of all the businesses participating in “The Hoboken Tern Parade” is:

• FIore’s House of Quality
• Hoboken Historical Museum
• Fleet Feet
• Hoboken Public Library
• Tony Baloney’s-Hoboken
• The Hive
• Alessio’s Cafe
• Sweet
• Hoboken Girl
• Hoboken Burrito
• Little City Books
• FBW
• Taper & Tonic
• Stehli Homes
• Urban Arts
• Cornerstone Pets
• Symposia Community Bookstore
• Dozzino
• Mario’s Classic Pizza
• Tipsy Tie Dye
• Hoboken Little League Snack Stand
• Tunes
• Leo’s Grandevous
• Lepore’s Hoboken’s Famous Chocolates
• Albini’s Pharmacy
• The Place
• Green Pear Cafe
• Gotham Nails
• Cafexico
• The Fuzzy Lemons
• Stan’s
• The Green Pear
• Main Street Pops
• Daisy’s Wearable Art
• Resilience Paddle Sports
• Mart Prints LLC
• Right Angle Picture Framing & Custom Mirror

For more information, visit www.ourtern.com/ternparade.