|
|
|
Archive for the 'completed projects' Category
Tags: musconetcong watershed association, wma 01 (upper delaware)
Posted in completed projects, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, supplemental environmental project
The Musconetcong Watershed Association‘s (MWA) role in educating local officials and residents and protecting and restoring the Musconetcong Watershed is more important than ever. MWA recognized that in order to meet its mission, it was imperative to build a permanent structure; a River Resource Center will ensure the continued viability of their preservation, education, and stewardship efforts.
The MWA renovated a 2,150 square foot storehouse building, adapting it into a meeting hall with office and support space to base the association’s programs. These include environmental and outdoor educational programs, municipal government outreach, workshops and seminars for the public, stream cleanups, and projects such as stream bank restoration, well-testing and water quality monitoring. The headquarters will also be a beginning point for river-based recreation activities like canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing.
The River Resource Center building renovation includes a complete refurbishment inside and outside the structure, and provides examples of sustainable building practices such as composting toilets, riparian restoration, the use of passive solar, and pervious paving for visitor parking. The MWA designed and built the River Resource Center to achieve the US Green Building Council’s LEED certification.
This “green” building provides a physical model for homeowners and small businesses; it demonstrates how applying green building and landscaping principles can be practical and cost-effective and incorporated into any project. The River Resource Center will lead the public by example in exploring cost- effective and environmentally sound solutions that can be applied to other building projects in the region.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Outreach, Recreation, and Aesthetics: Environmental education- LEED-certified nature center and model for sustainable building practices; Public access- access to waterfront
Total Project Cost: $668,000
CRI provided funding towards this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program: $5,000 in 2006, $2,000 in 2007, $2,500 in 2008, and $4,000 in 2009.
Status: This project is closed.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: d&r greenway land trust
Posted in biological diversity, completed projects, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources
In 2009, CRI awarded a $2,000 grant to D&R Greenway Land Trust for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
This project involved a holistic management plan based on the habitat needs of rare and threatened species present at the exceptionally diverse Plum Brook Preserve. The 160.9-acre Plum Brook Preserve, consisting of the Jones and Howery properties, hosts a high concentration of rare plants and animals across taxa. The habitats include upland cedar glades, mature mesic forest, a Category One stream, wet and upland meadows, and adjacent scrub-shrub habitats.
The D&R Greenway Land Trust provides stewardship of this preserve. They are working to understand the habitat dynamics which successfully maintain an abundance of rare species. By locating, GPS mapping, and investigating the landscape context of these species, they have developed an adaptive management plan for the Preserve and are targeting priorities accordingly.
Preliminary surveys have established the presence of numerous species listed by the NJ Natural Heritage Program. In partnership with Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Plant Stewardship Indices (PSI) surveys showed exceptionally high PSI values, and six state-listed plant species were discovered. An avian survey found numerous woodland birds of concern plus a state-listed dragonfly, the Mocha Emerald.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- state and federal threatened/endangered species, ecosystem-level management, NJ Natural Heritage Program
Status: This project is completed.
Tags: bowman's hill wildflower preserve
Posted in biological diversity, completed projects, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics
A baseline Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) survey was conducted on Bull’s Island and Fireman’s Eddy Natural Areas, in Hunterdon County, to identify rare and endangered plants. This is being followed by invasive species removal and native restoration plans by the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, Delaware River Greenway Partnership, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The goal is to ensure that herbicidal application will not inadvertently harm NJ’s native and rare species. This site is appropriately located to provide important resting, foraging, and nesting habitat for migratory grassland dependent birds.
 The plan for Bull’s Island aims to restore approximately 5 acres of upland and palustrine forested and scrub/shrub habitat by controlling invasive Japanese knotweed and planting native trees and shrubs. The Natural Heritage Database revealed four rare plant species within the project area. These species include few-fruit sedge (Carex oligocarpa – SE), blue waxweed (Cuphea viscosissima – SC), Carolina whitlow-grass (Draba reptans – SE) and basil beebalm (Monarda clinopodia – SE). This project supports preservation of a northern floodplain and habitat and rare species habitat.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Ecosystem restoration- Invasive plant removal, ecosystem-level management
Total Project Cost: $33,875
CRI granted a $2,000 Franklin Parker Small Grant Award to this project in 2009.
Status: The survey was completed, and restoration work is underway.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: d&r greenway land trust
Posted in climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, completed projects, land preservation project, NRD settlement candidate project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2009, CRI facilitated a $25,000 payment towards this project from a previously collected NRD settlement.
D&R Greenway Land Trust sought $25,000 to enable acquisition of the last parcel needed to create Lime Kiln Alley Park in the City of Bordentown. Lime Kiln Alley Park is on the waterfront of Blacks Creek, a tidal tributary to the Delaware River.
Bordentown is a densely populated community just below Trenton. The site of Lime Kiln Alley Park is easily accessible to walkers from all over town. It can also be accessed from the light rail line parking lot which is directly adjacent.
A total of 6 properties have been acquired by D&R Greenway and transferred to city ownership to create a greenway along Blacks Creek. A seventh property was donated to the city by the adjacent church that sits atop the hill overlooking the creek. These properties total approximately 5.5 acres.
A final property was under contract to be acquired by D&R Greenway Land Trust as the last addition to the park. This was a critical acquisition, as the property is central to the park at the entrance from Lime Kiln Alley. The property totals .263 of an acre and has two buildings on site. The buildings are being evaluated for possible use as a nature center and/or caretakers’ residence.
The park will provide for fishing, canoe launch, picnicking and will include nature trails and restored habitat along Blacks Creek. These efforts will also serve to protect the health of the Upper Estuary of the Delaware River, where the majority of buffer habitat has been lost to development.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biodiversity: Reduction of invasive species, increase in native communities
Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- hiking, access to waterfront
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- buffers to streams
Total Project Cost: $125,000.00
Status: The property closed on November 24, 2009.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: new jersey conservation foundation, wma 13 (barnegat bay)
Posted in completed projects, projects funded by conservation resources
CRI facilitated funding for this project from several sources: $902,936.16 from the Pinelands Conservation Fund; and $1,000,000 from an NRD settlement.
The Forked River Mountains in the New Jersey Pine Barrens are an unexpected wilderness located in southeastern Ocean County. This region is made up of tens of thousands of acres of Pine Barrens forest and wetlands. Some of this land is permanently protected in public and non-profit ownership as the Forked River Mountain Preserve, but some is still in private ownership and is threatened with conversion to housing development. The Interboro Property is a critical link in this matrix of protected and unprotected land.
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) has been working for over a decade to preserve the Forked River Mountain wilderness. The Interboro property totals approximately 620 acres. This property is entirely forested with no history of development or other significant disruption. Pine-oak forest dominates the property with some significant stands of Atlantic White Cedar in the lower areas along the North Branch of the Forked River. This area is known to be habitat for a number of rare and endangered Pine Barrens species such as Pine Barrens tree frog (Hyla andersonii), Knieskern’s beaked-rush (Rynchospora knieskernii), Northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) and curly grass fern (Schizaea pusilla).
A portion of the Interboro Property is located in the Oyster Creek sub-watershed which was given additional protections from the Pinelands Commission through a zoning change to better protect the species diversity and high water quality of the area.
NJCF will manage this property as part of their Forked River Mountain Preserve.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration, & Contol: Water quality and quantity- protection of groundwater recharge area
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection
Total Project Cost: $2, 765,000
Status: This property closed in 2009.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: trust for public land, wma 16 (cape may)
Posted in completed projects
The Fulling Mill Extension Property abuts the Audubon Society’s’ Fulling Mill Sanctuary and is very close to the Bayshore Sportsman Club. It is located in the Villas neighborhood of Lower Township. The property forms part of a large forest complex that supports habiat for several state threatened and endangered species including the Barred owl, Red-shouldered hawk and the Southern gray treefrog. The entire site is also identified as a critical migratory raptor concentration site.
The wetlands on site have also been designated as exceptional resource value due to the documented presence of threatened and endangered species or their habitat. The wetlands are part of the headwaters area of the Fulling Mill Creek, which drains into the Fishing Creek and empties into the Delaware River.
The entire site is wooded, with the majority comprised of oak pine and hardwood swamp communities. Based on field investigations, the site habitat is consistent with and contiguous to the wooded upland and wetland communities east and south of the site, specifically associated with the airport, which is the area in which the Barred owl and Red-shouldered hawk were previously documented. Both avian species favor a mix of upland and wetland habitat, which this site exhibits. The property is located within a State Plan Area 5, Environmentally Sensitive Area.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: groundwater recharge, protection of headwaters
Biological diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Total Project Cost: $528,500
Status: This project closed in December of 2009.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: passaic river coalition, wma 03 (pompton pequannock wanaque ramapo)
Posted in completed projects
Dragonfly Meadows is an 8.5 acre tract of land located on Union Avenue in Bloomingdale, NJ. It is fairly wooded with a young mixed hardwood forest, predominately red maple. There are easily hiked trails that run throughout the property which provide a scenic tour of the flora, fauna, and waterways.
The property contains several streams and is surrounded by a series of connected lakes. The Lower Morse Lake, the Upper Morse Lake, and Terwilliger are all connected by classified C2 streams. The waterways eventually flow downstream into Pequannock River.
The northwest portion of the property is considered a groundwater recharge zone according to the Passaic County Planning Department. The recharged groundwater from this property makes its way back to reservoirs and streams or becomes a source for wells. Contamination on the surface of these areas could lead to contamination of any of these water resources. Protection of this property will help provide safe and clean drinking water to the surrounding area and its downstream reaches.
Dragonfly Meadows is very close to the Passaic River Coalition’s Federal Hill property, located to the south across Union Avenue. Preserving this tract is in accordance with the PRC’s goal of creating adjacent greenways along Passaic River tributaries.
According to the Passaic County Open Space Preservation Master Plan for Bloomingdale, Dragonfly Meadows has been determined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to be a critical habitat for plants and animals on the Threatened and Endangered Species lists. They consider the property suitable for the Wood turtle and Bald eagle, two of the nation’s most endangered and iconic species. Other breeds of turtles, toads, snakes and turkeys have been spotted on the property by Passaic River Coalition Staff.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality and quantity- protection of groundwater recharge, protection of headwaters
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails, access to waterfront
Total Project Cost: $348,500
In 2008, CRI provided $2,500 in funding for this property through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
Status: The Passaic River Open Space Trust awarded the Passaic River Coalition approximately 50% of the fair market value for the Decker tract. This property has now been purchased.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: north jersey resource conservation & development council, wma 01 (upper delaware), wma 02 (wallkill)
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, completed projects, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, water protection, filtration, & control
CRI granted this project $4,000 in 2007, and $3,000 in 2008 through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
This project is located on the Central Valley Farm in the Musconetcong River watershed in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County New Jersey. The West Portal Brook is approximately 2,000 feet in length as it flows through the property. This stream is classified by NJ DEP as a Category One, Trout Production Stream. The implementation of a riparian buffer corridor on this property included components of installation of 2100 feet of livestock exclusion fence, removal of multiflora rose and the establishment of riparian corridor in accordance with the design plans prepared by North Jersey RC&D.
The goal of the project is to improve the water quality in West Portal Brook, prior to its confluence with the Musconetcong River, through brush management, installation of livestock exclusion fencing and establishing a riparian buffer. The fencing parallel to the stream excludes livestock from the stream corridor. The establishment of a riparian forest buffer within the fenced corridor will provide benefit to both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
The riparian forest buffer was established from the top of the stream bank to the livestock exclusion fence, a minimum distance of 25 feet. The buffer will help to improve and protect water quality by reducing the amount of sediment and associated pollutants, such as nutrients, in the surface runoff. The improved riparian corridor will provide food, shelter, shading, nursery habitat, and pathways for resident and nonresident aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- restoring stream buffers, riparian land protection, stream bank stabilization, preventing sedimentation
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- aforestation, riparian buffer restoration
Biological Diversity: Habitat-extend habitat corridors and increase native wildlife habitat
Total Project Cost: $282,520
Status: In August 2011, 3.4 acres of invasive plants such as multiflora rose were removed, while preserving existing native trees and shrubs. North Jersey RC&D completed this work as a contract through Tuff Greens Inc. The New Jersey Youth Corps were directed by The Fence Company and North Jersey RC&D to string the 5-strand high tensile fence lines. Around 400 trees and shrubs were planted at the project site in early November 2011 by volunteers from Trout Unlimited and members of the community. Most of the trees had black mesh or welded wire caging placed around them to reduce damage by deer browse during the establishment time period.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: edison wetlands association, wma 09 (lower raritan south river and lawrence)
Posted in biological diversity, completed projects, ecological restoration project, NRD settlement candidate project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, riparian mitigation candidate project, water protection, filtration, & control, wetlands mitigation project
Edison Wetlands Association (EWA) conceived the ambitious Raritan River Walkway and waterfront Brownfields-to-Greenfields (B2G) project in 2002. The visionary project broke ground in August 2009, and its first phase was complete by year-end. By transforming the garbage and toxic waste of Edison Landfill and Kin-Buc Landfill Superfund Site into gardens and rich wildlife habitat, the Raritan River Walkway is creating a national B2G model for redeveloping industrial sites into safe public greenfields with riverfront access and recreation. EWA announced the walkway’s completion with a press conference onsite in late 2009 with Assemblymen Peter Barnes and Patrick Diegnan, then-Mayor Jun Choi, and Conservation Resources president Michael Catania. The trail formally opened to the public in 2010.
EWA advocated successfully for the Township of Edison and the Middlesex County Freeholders to post for a $508,725 bond and reimbursement, and their advocacy led the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to allocate Natural Resource Damages (NRD) funds to this project. The NRD funding itself came from the Hatco site settlement in Woodbridge, where EWA worked with NJDEP to force a $13.2 million cleanup of PCB lagoons. The state funding was managed by CRI, which worked with NJDEP, EWA and the Township to forge an agreement for the project to begin. The first phase offers a scenic 1,500-foot trail with the first extended public access to Edison’s seven-mile riverfront in Township history. The trail includes kiosks, native wildflowers and butterfly gardens, a footbridge spanning a tidal wetlands inlet along Mill Brook, and a public gazebo.
CRI was able to facilitate a $593,000 regulatory contribution to this emerging greenway and restoration project along the Raritan River.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quantity- wetland restoration
Biological Diversity: Habitat- restoring native vegetation, protecting aquatic habitat
Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails, access to waterfront; Environmental education- informational displays
Total Project Cost: $870,848
Status: The trail formally opened to the public with a tree-planting ceremony and walkway tour with Edison Mayor Antonia Ricigliano and other elected officials in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in April 2010. The first phase now offers the families of Edison and surrounding areas a public gazebo, swallow nest boxes, native fruit-bearing trees and a butterfly garden, a footbridge over tidal wetlands along the mouth of Mill Creek, and a scenic 1,500-foot trail with the first extended public access to Edison’s seven-mile riverfront in Township history.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: cape may national wildlife refuge, wma 16 (cape may)
Posted in completed projects
The Russell property is located within the Bidwell Creek watershed, a tidal creek flowing from the Delaware Bay. Cape May County has identified the Bidwell Creek drainage basin as one of the most important aquifer recharge sites in the County. Because of its importance to birds, the Cape May peninsula is recognized as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Site of Hemispheric Importance, a Wetland of International Importance under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance–otherwise known as the Ramsar Convention, and a globally significant Important Bird Area (National Audubon and American Bird Conservancy).
The Russell property lies within the approved acquisition boundary of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. Its vegetation is characterized by forested uplands and forested wetlands along Bidwell Creek. The wetlands are also the locus of a significant population of swamp pink (Helonias bullata), a federally threatened plant. Species of concern using these habitats include the Bald eagle, Northern harrier, Osprey, Barred owl, Wood thrush, Scarlet tanager, Worm-eating warbler, Acadian flycatcher, and Diamondback terrapin.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection; Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Site of Hemispheric Importance; Wetland of International Importance under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention); and a globally significant Important Bird Area (National Audubon and American Bird Conservancy).
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality and quantity- protection of groundwater recharge areas, protection of headwaters
Total Project Cost: $1,012,000
Status: The Russell property closed in March of 2010. This project was acquired through a partnership of The Conservation Fund, The Fish and Wildlife Service, The Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and a seller donation, the County of Cape May, the State of New Jersey Green Acres Program and the New Jersey Wetlands Mitigation Council.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
|
|
|
