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Archive for the 'ecological restoration project' Category
Tags: d&r greenway land trust
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, completed projects, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources
CRI awarded this project $7,500 through its 2010 RPWHP Grant Program. This grant will cover 50% of the costs of the afforestation of two one-acre gaps in the Sourlands Mountains at the D&R Greenway’s Cat Tail and Sourlands Ecosystem Preserves.
D&R Greenway Land Trust has reforested two one-acre gaps: the Cat Tail Brook Gap, and the Sourlands Ecosystem Preserve Gap.
The Cat Tail Brook Gap was the only significant forest opening on the 117-acre Cat Tail Preserve. A remnant of a former agricultural field, this gap was kept open by hunters and planted with apple trees as a deer feedlot. It was almost entirely vegetated with Multiflora rose and Autumn olive. The forest around this one-acre gap is of very high quality, with plants like Showy orchids, Dwarf ginseng, Indian cucumber root, Silvery glade fern, and a very diverse canopy. A PSI botanical susrvey of the adjacent forest yielded a notably high Native Mean C of 5.72 and a PSI score of 46.82.
The Sourlands Ecosystem Preserve contains more than 700 acres of core Sourlands forest, stretching between Forest Focal Areas #3 and 4. A second one-acre gap was historically largely vegetated with Ailanthus, but stewardship work over the last three years has resulted in the removal of the Ailanthus canopy, and of the Multiflora rose shrub layer.
D&R Greenway removed invasive plants in these two 1-acre gaps, and planted canopy trees and native shrubs. The plantings are protected by 2-ft. diameter, 4-ft. high metal mesh hoops. This should result in a fully native canopy within ten years.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- reforestation
Biological Diversity: Ecosystem restoration- invasive plant removal, establishment of contiguous forest habitat
Total Project Cost: $12,200
Status: Both gaps have been cleared of invasives (some re-sprouts or missed plants are still being targeted) and an 8’ fence has been put around both one-acre sites. In both cases tree and shrub seedlings have been planted. While both plots require on-going monitoring and probably additional plantings to compensate for loss, this project is completed.
Tags: ridge and valley conservancy, wma 01 (upper delaware)
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, ecological restoration project, land preservation project, NRD settlement candidate project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2009, this project received a $7500 grant from CRI and Elizabethtown Gas through CRI’s Carbon Sequestration and Restoration Grant Program.
The Dark Moon Preserve consists of mixed limestone forest atop dolomite outcrops, agricultural fields, and a riparian corridor. The geology of the site is unusual. Dolomite deposits on the southern part of the preserve stand out in marked relief at elevations higher than the Martinsburg Shale to the west. These give way again to dolomite at the north edge of the preserve where dolomite outcrops and large sinkholes are found.
The forest is a dense mixed deciduous forest with moderate understory. A spring emerges at the eastern edge of the forest, which is part of the headwaters of Trout Brook which flows through the site. The brook flows through the fields with little forested buffer. The site contains the remnants of the Dark Moon archaeological site, a Woodland Period Minisink village. The site has been extensively excavated and documented. Only the mounded remains of the excavation can be found on site.
The site is managed by the Ridge and Valley Conservancy (RVC) as a nature preserve with passive recreation, including hiking, photography, nature study and horse riding. The intact forest will remain in its present condition. The agricultural fields will be converted from the current crop cover to native warm season grasses to promote beneficial insects, ground-water recharge, riparian protection, ground-nesting birds, and raptors.
The Dark Moon Preserve is a demonstration carbon sequestration research site. With funding from Conservation Resources, the Ridge and Valley Conservancy is working with Rutgers University, Newark College of Arts and Sciences, to measure carbon levels in the soil before and after warm-season grasslands are established on the site’s agricultural fields. The baseline readings were completed in the summer of 2010, with follow-up measurements scheduled for 2015.
To date, RVC has planted 28 acres of native grasses, and plans on an additional 6 acres in the Spring of 2011, and has recently removed 7 acres of invasive Autumn Olive.
A trailhead has been constructed that accommodates horse trailers. A horse trail system has been created. A local Eagle Scout erected kiosks that provide information on the preserve, including the archaeological site it contains, a trail map, and information on the benefits of warm season grasses.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration and Control: Water quality and quantity- protection of groundwater recharge areas
Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- grassland restoration
Recreation & Aesthetics: Environmental education- trailhead kiosk with map and information about native grasses
Status: The property is managed by Ridge and Valley Conservancy (RVC). Green Township has an interest in stewardship of the site, as they were a participant in the acquisition. RVC has enlisted the assistance of a local land steward who mows trails through the site. The site is under a Green Acres conservation easement. Ridge and Valley Conservancy seeks funds for ongoing stewardship.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: conserve wildlife foundation
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, completed projects, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2010, CRI awarded the Conserve Wildlife Foundation $20,000.00 through its RPWHP Grant program. This grant covered 50% of the costs of the afforestation of 7.6 acres along the northern face of the Sourland Mountain at Otto’s Farm Park.
Otto’s Farm Park sits on the northern edge of the regionally significant Sourlands. Contiguous forest blocks are known habitat for the state threatened Barred owl and other declining wildlife such as the Eastern box turtle, Black and white warbler, Canada warbler, Hooded warbler, and Louisiana waterthrush.
Hillsborough Township contracted with Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF) to remove very mature woody invasive plants on 30 acres of Otto’s Farm Park. CWF worked to have half of the property cleared in October 2009. The remaining 15 overgrown acres were cleared in October and November of 2010, followed immediately by no-till planting with a native warm-season / cool-season grass mix and northeast native wildflowers. In late November 2010, more than 60 fruit-producing shrubs like elderberry, serviceberry, dogwoods, and hackberry were planted in perimeter patches along the grassland to provide food sources for songbirds, bees, larval and adult butterflies, and other wildlife. Tree guards were put around each shrub for deer protection. Several hundred additional trees and shrubs were planted in the Spring of 2011.
Benefits include the conversion of marginal cropland to long-term wildlife habitat and extending the forest cover of the Sourland Mountains Central Focal Area as identified in the draft RPWHP Forest Conservation Plan.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Management: Carbon sequestration- afforestation
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality- improved groundwater recharge, improved soil stability, increased rainwater infiltration, buffering of adjacent forested wetlands.
Biological Diversity: Habitat- protection of habitat for Fowler’s toad, species of special concern in NJ, removal of invasive species, ecosystem restoration.
Total Project Cost: $40,000
Status: This project was completed in Spring 2011. Project partners included the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which provided much of the plant materials (~1,000 trees and shrubs), and Hillsborough Township’s Department of Public Works, which spent their time to help accomplish the planting and deer fencing. Funding was provided through an NRCS WHIP grant and a CRI RPWHP grant.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: new jersey audubon society
Posted in biological diversity, completed projects, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources
In 2010, CRI awarded the New Jersey Audubon Society $16,000 through its RPWHP grant program. This grant covered 50% of the costs of this grassland restoration project.
The Six Mile Run Grassland restoration project encompasses 153 acres of State-owned land in Franklin Township, Somerset County and is part of a larger grassland restoration effort that generated over 300 acres of grassland habitat along Six Mile Run. This site has been identified as a priority site for grassland restoration in Central New Jersey. This project provided additional critical habitat for grassland-dependent birds, and helped to improve water quality and reduce erosion.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- grassland restoration, grassland bird habitat
Total Project Cost: $32,000 NJAS received a 50% matching NRCS WHIP grant on behalf of the State of New Jersey to assist in the completion of this project. In 2008 NJAS obtained a $2,000 grant from USFWS to assist in the seeding of the original 97 acres. Project partners included the NJ chapter of Pheasants Forever, which donated $500 towards seeding of the 56 acres, and Advanced Forestry Solutions, which contributed $15,000 of in-kind services toward the clearing of the first 97 acres.
Status: Seeding is now complete at Six Mile Run with 153 acres of native warm season grasses in place.
 The tall grasses at the Middlebush site and the starting grasses at the location seeded during the spring of 2011 tell the story. The 300-acre restoration project along Six Mile Run is now complete, and NJAS’s Citizen Science group should be seeing some amazing species next spring!
Tags: friends of hopewell valley open space
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, completed projects, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources
In 2010, CRI awarded the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space $17,500.00 through its RPWHP Grant program. This grant covered 50% of the costs of the reforestation of 8.3 acres of abandoned agricultural fields to restore contiguous forest cover at Baldpate Mountain Park. 
Baldpate Mountain and its vicinity have been identified as a priority forest conservation area in the RPWHP Forest Conservation Plan. There are several fields near the summit of the mountain that have been utilized for agricultural or programmatic reasons (e.g., historic Kuser homestead, viewshed of Delaware River). Two of these fields totaling 8.3 acres were identified for forest restoration to improve connectivity of large forest areas that surround these fields.
These two fields were converted to forest habitat through the planting of 1,660 native trees and shrubs (planting density of 200 per acre) and fencing field perimeters to avoid deer browsing on plantings and naturally recruited native trees and shrubs. Periodic control of invasive species and maintenance of exclosure fencing will occur as needed in subsequent years to allow for the successful growth of native plantings.
Baldpate Mountain is known to harbor nesting Kentucky and Hooded Warblers. The increase in continuity of forest cover will ultimately provide additional habitat and reduce forest edges that are avoided by forest interior birds.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- reforestation
Biological Diversity: Habitat- restoration of forest bird habitat; Ecosystem restoration- invasive plant removal, forest restoration
Total Project Cost: $35,000
Status: In October of 2010, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and the Mercer County Park Commission organized four volunteer work days to complete the planting. Volunteers came out from corporations such as Merck, Rosetta, and the Educational Testing Service, from Master Gardeners, Hopewell Valley High School, Girl Scouts, and residents. Over 1600 native trees and shrubs were planted. The trees and shrubs were supplied by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: american littoral society, coastal america foundation
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2011, CRI awarded this project $4,000 through its Franklin Parker Small Grant program.
The proposed project is to design, construct, and plant a scrub/shrub coastal maritime forest with indigenous coastal species on a barren dirt lot located between the Bradley Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Avenue. The lot is composed of hard-packed dirt and is used for summer staff parking, winter storage of beach equipment, gravel pile placement, and access to the beach for heavy equipment and emergency vehicles. The project would provide valuable forage and staging habitat for coastal residents and migratory avian and insect species and other coastal detritivores. As part of the project, an ancillary boardwalk consisting of eco-friendly materials will be incorporated into the design to provide public and handicap access from the existing boardwalk, through the coastal maritime forest, to the adjacent Fletcher Lake Park. In addition, stabilization and re-vegetation of the shorelines directly adjacent to the proposed maritime forest (approximately 100’ feet on each side of an existing flume bordering Lake Fletcher) will be completed.
The maritime forest will provide 0.4 acres of valuable coastal and beach/back dune habitat for resident and migratory birds and insects (monarch butterflies, dragonflies), forage base (fruits and berries) for important coastal species, refuge from predators during migration, and staging areas for herons and egrets. The project will also provide enhanced storm and flood protection to local residents, and improved lake water quality and coastal/marine habitat through the elimination of runoff associated with the existing lot and increasing infiltration, as well as the natural treatment of approximately 430,125 gallons of runoff annually. Improvements to water quality and the stabilization/ re-vegetation of the shoreline directly adjacent to the forest will also assist in improving critical resident and migratory fish habitat and will improve the aquatic environment of finfish and shellfish utilization.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- afforestation using scrub/shrub coastal maritime species
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality and flood control-reduction of runoff, improved infiltration
Biological Diversity: Habitat-improved habitat for migratory birds, insects, migratory fish, finfish, and shellfish
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- eco-friendly boardwalk provides public and handicap access from existing boardwalk through forest to adjacent park
Total Project Cost: $50,000-75,000
Status: The project is supported by project partners: Coastal America Foundation, NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, the Borough of Bradley Beach, the Bradley Beach Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Commission, NOAA, EPA, US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, NJDEP, Monmouth County, Pinelands Nursery and Supply, the American Littoral Society, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. In-kind services and labor will be provided by the Borough of Bradley Beach. The town will do permitting, construction, plantings, etc. The survey is complete, and further funding is needed for design and materials. Some materials will be donated.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: carbon sequestration and restoration grant program, woodbridge township
Posted in climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2009 this project was awarded $5000 from CRI and Elizabethtown Gas through CRI’s Carbon Sequestration and Restoration Grant Program.
This is a unique carbon sequestration project designed to trap carbon dioxide and reduce greenhouse gases in the forest and surrounding region.
CRI is working with the Township of Woodbridge, and in consultation with the NJDEP Office of Climate and Energy, to document the baseline condition of the property to be restored, including soil type, management history, baseline carbon levels, and species inventory.
In April of 2010, project volunteers planted 2,400 Sweet gum, Black gum and Red maple trees. The Pin Oak Forest, a formerly polluted area which is home to the headwaters of the Woodbridge River, is now a reclaimed and nearly pristine open space resource. The two-acre planting area will be monitored over two years to determine how much greenhouse gas is being sequestered by the growing trees.
Click on picture for slideshow.
Tags: carbon sequestration and restoration grant program, d&r greenway land trust
Posted in climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, completed projects, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources
In 2009 this project was awarded $5000 from CRI and Elizabethtown Gas through CRI’s Carbon Sequestration and Restoration Grant Program.
This St. Michael’s site was used historically as a farm dump, dating back to the latter part of the nineteenth century. It was largely unmanaged during the last part of the 20th century. In order to facilitate cleanup in 2009, all vegetation was removed from the site, the dump was cleaned up, new soil was brought in, and the site was seeded.
When D&R Greenway received a grant from CRI’s Carbon Sequestration program in 2009, the site was fenced and planted with tree and shrub seedlings. It is now being used as a demonstration site for restoring landscapes and sequestering carbon.
Native shrubs and trees planted include:
- Shagbark hickory
- Ironwood
- Flowering dogwood
- Persimmon
- Beech
- Red cedar
- Tulip
- Virginia pine
- Chestnut oak, Red oak, White oak, Black oak, Pin oak, Swamp white oak
- Green ash
- Black gum
- Sycamore
- Shadbush
- Winterberry
- Spicebush
- Bayberry
- Arrowwood
- Elderberry
- Swamp rose
- Staghorn sumac
Status: This project is completed.
Tags: delaware riverkeeper network, wma 1, wma 11, wma 16 (cape may), wma 17 (maurice salem and cohansey), wma 18 (lower delaware), wma 19, wma 20
Posted in biological diversity, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, NRD settlement candidate project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
Clean and healthy water in our rivers and streams is critical for thriving ecosystems, healthy human and wildlife communities, and clean drinking water for the Delaware River region. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) works to protect the Delaware River and allof its tributary streams from pollution discharges, whether they be small spills or major catastrophic events.
When there is a pollution discharge, every moment counts. It is critical that agencies are alerted immediately; that clean-up efforts are identified and undertaken and when they are failing that the problem is identified and corrected; and that every injured animal and habitat is assisted and documented to ensure their greatest survival and to make sure the polluters are held fully accountable for the harm.
The Delaware River Safe Water Action Team (DR SWAT) is a proactive initiative that includes a structured, permanent, and ongoing water watch and response program, including a DRN Emergency Response Command Center that can kick into high gear at a moment’s notice. This program also includes routine monitoring and vigilance by trained volunteer monitors to ensure that potentially harmful practices and industrial activities are detected and watch-dogged early–to be able to work to avoid catastrophic and more deadly spills down the road by dealing with potential problems and pollution quickly.
DR SWAT will:
- supply agency approved protocols and trained volunteers at the ready in the wake of a catastrophic pollution event;
- coordinate and interact with agency emergency responders in order to inform and expand the success of their effort;
- inform press, public, and decision-makers of ongoing pollution incidents;
- inform the government natural resource damage assessment process;
- effectively engage the public which is energized and concerned in the wake of a catastrophe;
- document the added resources that a volunteer network can bring in the event of a catastrophic pollution incident, in order to encourage the use of this model in other watersheds and communities;
- create a solid and comprehensive watch-dog network of volunteer monitors to perform routine water testing in areas where major threats and impacts are planned or ongoing; and
- collect important stream data to document both acute harm and also long-term health of streams over time. Work with agencies to do the same and fill agency data gaps as budgets tighten.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- protection of headwaters, wetlands protection, erosion and sedimentation control, best management practices tracking
Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection, protection of aquatic habitat; Ecosystem restoration- cleanup of catastrophic pollution event
Outreach, Recreation & Aesthetics: Environmental education- volunteer training, providing public with information
Total Project Cost: $200,000
CRI has awarded two grants to this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program: $3000 in 2008, and $3500 in 2010.
Status: since the project launch date, Delaware Riverkeeper Network has trained over 350 new volunteer monitors to be part of the DR SWAT monitoring team, but more stream sampling stations and volunteers are needed as the Delaware River Basin faces many emerging threats.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
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