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Archive for the 'franklin parker small grants program' Category
Tags: conserve wildlife foundation
Posted in biological diversity, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics
In 2010, CRI awarded this project $3500 through its Franklin Parker Small Grant program.
New Jersey bats face many threats, including disturbance to summer and winter colonies, loss of forest habitat, forestry practices that remove dead and dying trees from remaining forests, wind energy development, and, most recently, White-nose Syndrome. This project builds on the Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s current bat education and summer roost monitoring work by addressing needs for 1) increased roosting opportunities for forest bats, 2) landowner incentives for forest stewardship and preservation, 3) citizen participation in wildlife management and research, and 4) standardized monitoring of bat abundance and distribution throughout the state.
The keystone species for this work is the Indiana bat, which has been listed as endangered both on the federal level and in New Jersey since the earliest years of Endangered Species legislation (1967 and 1973, respectively). Preferred Indiana bat summer roosts include dead trees of many varieties (elms, oaks, maples, sycamores, hickories, etc.) and living trees with exfoliating bark (like shagbark hickory). Indiana bats do not typically use attics or other man-made structures. In NJ, Indiana bats are known only in the northern half of the state.
With Indiana bats and other cave-hibernating species becoming rare due to White-nose Syndrome, it is even more important to provide ample suitable forest habitat for the bats that are not affected by the Syndrome – including forest species like the silver-haired bat and hoary bat. Boosting the success of these species will help to fill the ecological void left by those that have declined.
This project will help provide for the needs of forest bats and will educate a broad audience about the animals’ benefits and challenges. Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF) will work closely with 15 landowners to develop roost habitat – this work has already begun – but they hope to reach many, many more landowners through their online resources, guidance video, and step-by-step instructional handouts (once developed). CWF would like to create these resources as soon as possible, while public interest is high.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- protecting habitat for threatened/endangered species
Outreach, Recreation & Aesthetics: Environmental education- outreach to landowners to educate about bats and need for habitat
Total Project Cost: $54,000
Status: In 2011, CWF designed mobile acoustic bat survey transects covering more than 600 rural road miles across 18 New Jersey counties, and trained 53 volunteers to assist with the surveys statewide. Together, they completed 45 surveys and collected over 2,250 bat call recordings which will reveal bat abundance and species information across the landscape. CWF also continued working with a dozen private landowners on bat roost enhancements, including selective tree girdling, trunk wraps, and the installation of 30 rocket boxes to provide summer homes for mother bats and their young.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: south jersey land & water trust, wma 14 (mullica)
Posted in biological diversity, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics
CRI awarded this project $2000 in 2010, and $2000 in 2011, through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
The South Jersey Land and Water Trust (SJLWT) has been conducting stream assessments in Southern New Jersey, in a partnership with the Rutgers Water Resources Program, for the past 6 years. They have held numerous workshops to train residents how to visually assess the health of a stream using the USDA’s Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP). SJLWT staff and trained volunteers have assessed over 400 stream segments in Southern New Jersey.
In 2011 SJLWT worked with the Waterford and Evesham Township Environmental Commissions to train volunteers and do stream assessments in the Mullica River Watershed. In 2011 they assessed the main stem of the Mullica River from upstream of Route 73, downstream to Wharton State Forest. They have assessed portions of the Hays Branch of the Mullica River at and upstream of Atco Lake. They have done macro invertebrate assessments in selected locations. The data was added to the Townships’ Environmental Resource Inventories and to the Rutgers database. In 2012 they will continue stream and MI assessments on other portions of the upper Mullica River Watershed. The South Jersey Land and Water Trust is now partnering with the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team (NJISST) in Southern New Jersey. During stream assessments they will also collect invasive species data for the NJISST.
To complement the stream assessment workshops, the Environmental Commissions and the SJLWT will organize a Bio Blitz Day in June of 2012 at Atco Lake. They will invite area students and residents to the 60-acre Atco Lake/ Camden County Open Space property for a botanical tour of the lake and macro invertebrate assessment demonstration.
 
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality- stream health assessment
Biological Diversity: Habitat- inventories of species diversity and populations
Outreach, Recreation, and Aesthetics: Environmental education- workshops, volunteer training
Total Project Cost: $4000
Photos courtesy of Michael Hogan
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: d&r greenway land trust, franklin parker small grants program
Posted in agricultural production, biological diversity, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources
In 2010, CRI awarded this project $2500 through its Franklin Parker Small Grant program.
The Bulk Native Seed Production Project focuses on training small growers and other New Jersey-based land trusts in the technologies and practices necessary to produce native plant seed. This will be accomplished through an innovative, three-year collaboration between D&R Greenway and Greenbelt Native Plant Center (New York City’s native nursery) located on Staten Island.
D&R Greenway Land Trust will produce bulk seed of thirteen species of native plants at the St. Michaels Farm Preserve. The species include wildflowers such as New England aster and Joe Pye weed, and native grasses such as Indian grass and broomsedge. The project is an innovative blend of agricultural and conservation techniques and objectives. The 5.25 acres of growing fields produce seed for a blended native seed meadow mix that is genetically appropriate to the region. The seed mix is applicable to a range of wet, mesic, and dry conditions. The seed mix is the only native plant seed mix available derived from ecotypes local to New Jersey and metropolitan New York. Local ecotypes of native species are the most successfully adapted to conditions within their region.
The bulk seed production fields will be perennial-based, native, and utilize organic farming methods. The project will enhance soil tilth, increase rainwater infiltration, and support a diverse guild of native pollinators.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- restoration of native plants; support of wide variety of native pollinators
Agricultural Production: Local agricultural systems- working with farmers to produce native plant seed; agricultural education; organic farming
Total Project Cost: $185,000 D&R Greenway received a $75,000 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in August 2010 – the only CIG award recommended by the NJ Office of NRCS. Matching funds have been provided by Bristol Myers Squibb, with further support from Conservation Resources.
Status: Since the project launch date on September 1, 2010, D&R Greenway has plowed and tilled six one-acre plots on which they will grow 13 species of native seeds. The Bulk Native Seed Production Project will be the first of several innovative projects and programs that are part of a stewardship strategy and management plan for the Farm Preserve.
At the St. Michaels Bulk Seed Project, they have completed harvest of Swamp Milkweed, New England Aster, Joe Pye weed, Old Field Aster and Smooth Aster. Small quantities of Panic Grass, Broom Sedge, Early Goldenrod, and Grey Goldenrod are also being harvested.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: franklin parker, hunterdon land trust
Posted in franklin parker small grants program, land preservation project, projects funded by conservation resources
This property, in Holland Township, Hunterdon County, has been owned for generations by the Saeger Family. The family has a strong desire to preserve the land, understanding the public benefit that comes from adding it to the adjacent land. This property adjoins 90 acres acquired by Holland Township, and 10 acres acquired by the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) over the summer of 2010, and makes a great link in the preservation efforts in Holland Township. HLTA as the new land owner seeks to connect the trails on the adjoining Township owned park with this property and another HLTA owned property on Anderson Road. Its forty-five acres are in the Highlands Planning Area.
The property consists of farm fields in succession. There is a small field currently cultivated for hay. The rest of the property is successional forest. The property has slopes and impressive scenic vistas.
The Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team did an inventory of the property in June of 2010. During the inventory it became clear that the upper portion of the property is practically inaccessible due to the presence of autumn olive which has grown into dense thickets with thorns. The original owner of the property mowed it regularly until the 1990s. Since then, land management has been sporadic. HLTA will be coordinating efforts to remove invasive species from this property and make it accessible for hiking.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails
Total Project Cost: not yet available
In 2010, CRI awarded $3000 to this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
Status: This project is in the planning stages.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: franklin parker small grants program
Posted in biological diversity, franklin parker small grants program, land preservation project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
The Wollman Property Preservation Project is located within one of the 20 Pinelands Planning Areas that encompass environmentally sensitive regions that have not been permanently protected from development. This property is comprised of forests, swamps, and extensive, high-quality surface and groundwater resources. This property provides a unique habitat for a wide diversity of threatened and endangered plant and animal species and contains many other significant and unique natural, ecological, agricultural, scenic, cultural and recreational resources.  YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. owns the 563.85 acres contiguous to the property. The acquisition of this property would create a large preserved tract within an area identified by the Pinelands Commission as a priority. This property contains the headwaters to the two large bodies of water used for recreation and ecological studies at YMCA Camp Ockanickon. The purchase of the property will insure that the property will not be developed, thereby protecting these vital water resources for the camp.
While the specific use of the property has not been identified, Camp Ockanickon presently operates an extensive array of recreational, camping, health and wellness and natural studies programs for children, families and schools. The addition of the property would not only secure and protect significant resources, but also provide an opportunity to expand the range of programs available to the community. These programs might include organic and sustainable farming, wilderness camping, recreational trails for hiking and biking, or forestry programs.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality and quantity- protection of headwaters, groundwater recharge areas
Biological Diversity: Habitat- protection of habitat for federal threatened/endangered species
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- outdoor recreation; Environmental education- instructional programs
Total Project Cost: $2,100,000
Status: YMCA Camp Ockanickon Inc. is seeking funding for this project.
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: 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.
Tags: pinelands preservation alliance
Posted in biological diversity, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources
The New Jersey Pinelands contains numerous populations of rare plants that are characteristic of this distinctive region. Some of these populations represent the global stronghold for the species. For several notable species, the Pinelands is the only place in the world where they can be found.
In 2008, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) initiated a partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create an informal statewide committee of experts to focus on plant conservation, called the Partnerships for Plant Conservation. Using a list of priority sites developed by the DEP, PPA is organizing and implementing in situ management of several high priority rare plant populations. All of the sites require field visits and consultation with ONLM staff, state forest superintendents, and local experts. PPA will organize and supervise volunteers involved with monitoring, data collection and woody plant removal.
Several sites are in Wharton State Forest. Near Atsion, PPA will enhance the habitat for Croton willdenowii, Fimbristylis puberula, Gentiana autumnalis, Ludwigia hirtella, Muhlenbergia torreyana, and possibly Oldenlandia uniflora. Near the abandoned settlement of Friendship, the plan is to restore a dwindling population of Stylisma pickeringii. In both cases, the plan is to organize volunteers to thin the trees and shrubs that are encroaching on the habitat. In Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, in the Cedar Swamp Natural Area, PPA will enlarge the existing habitat for Aristida virgata, Gentiana autumnalis, Scleria minor, and Calamovilfa brevipilis. This will also require tree and shrub removal. In the Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area (East Plains Natural Area) PPA will help with an existing DEP project on behalf of Corema conradii. Fire suppression over the last few decades has allowed trees and shrubs to outcompete the Crowberry population, so, again, removal of woody material is the primary goal.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat-federal threatened/endangered species protection; Ecosystem restoration- invasive plant removal
Total Project Cost: $9,900
In 2009, CRI awarded the PPA a $3,500 grant for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
Status: This project is in the initial stages of development. PPA is coordinating plans with experts in the field of rare plant conservation.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: rahway river association, wma 07 (arthur kill)
Posted in biological diversity, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, NRD settlement candidate project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics
Brightwood Park is a natural oasis in highly developed Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. It consists of mature forest (upland and wetland), wildflower meadow, lakes and lakeshore shrubland communities. All of these habitats are under immediate threat from an overabundance of white-tailed deer, and infestations of invasive plant species.
White-tailed deer are a very significant problem at Brightwood Park and their removal of much of the native forest understory facilitates invasive species infestations. Numerous native trees, shrubs and herbs show severe deer browse damage (deer preferentially eat native species relative to invasive species). Sun gaps in the tree canopy typically support the growth of young trees that regenerate the forest. However, deer browsing is eliminating growth of new trees — if left unchecked, forest cover will ultimately be eliminated at the Park. The extent of invasive species infestation at Brightwood Park is significant.
The Rahway River Association hopes to accomplish the following goals with this restoration: 
- Eliminate deer browse impacts on habitat with creation of deer exclosure
- Eradicate emerging populations of invasive species
- Reduce private landowner use of invasive species through outreach to Westfield residents
- Encourage volunteer stewardship and study of Brightwood Park by local students (K-12)
- Maintain invasive-free areas
- Initiate a consistent annual volunteer effort toward reduction of invasive species throughout the Park
- Foster native forest regeneration through removal of invasive canopy trees
- Create wildflower meadow in the 1-acre area near the parking lot and lake
- Restore lakeshore shrubland community between the lake and wildflower meadow
- Restore health of lakes by developing and implementing engineering plans to eliminate lake eutrophication
- Restore health of lakes by controlling the resident Canada goose population
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat-federal threatened/endangered species habitat protection; Ecosystem restoration- invasive plant removal, native flora restoration
Outreach, Recreation and Aesthetics: Environmental education- outreach to residents, volunteer training
Total Project Cost: $242,400
Status: CRI provided a $4,000 grant for this project in 2007 through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: delaware riverkeeper network
Posted in biological diversity, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, supplemental environmental project
In 2009, CRI awarded a $3,500 grant to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
The Horseshoe crab is an ancient species that provides an essential rich protein source for many shorebirds and sea turtles through their eggs. Horseshoe crabs are important to humans as they have special characteristics in their blood that help determine the safety of vaccines–there is no other substance that can do this. The US Fish and Wildlife Service values annual revenues associated with the biomedical industry at $60 million with the social welfare value at $150 million.
The Delaware Bay is home to the largest concentration of Horseshoe crabs worldwide. Each year the Bay is also host to the second largest population of migrating shorebirds in North America, and eco-tourists from around the globe flock to the shores of the Delaware Bay to witness this ancient phenomenon. According to the NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife, the economic value of the Horseshoe crab and migratory bird phenomenon seasonally for the Delaware Bayshore area is over $11.8 million with over $15 million of economic value generated if other beneficiaries beyond New Jersey are included.
But scientific studies indicate Horseshoe crabs and shorebirds are in trouble. Fishery use of Horseshoe crabs as bait for whelk, eel, and conch is highly controversial. Decades of overharvesting and abuse have resulted in a decline in the Horseshoe crab population to such a level that the Red knot is predicted to go extinct because of a lack of Horseshoe crab eggs needed to fuel their annual migration. The Red knot has steadily declined from over 100,000 birds in the 1980′s to less than 15,000 birds in 2007. Wintering populations in 2011 indicate another drop of 5000 individual birds. Since 1989 Horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay have shown a steady decline with the lowest counts taking place in most recent years.
Both the Horseshoe crab census and shorebird studies of the Delaware Bay are innovative programs that team up scientists with grass-roots citizens to help track the populations and health of these species. These scientists recognize that environmental stewardship through monitoring with engaged citizens is a key ingredient to ensure that data collected is actively used by an engaged citizenry to call for strong management strategies. Recruiting private citizens to be a part of these efforts builds stewardship and grass-roots compassion in a natural setting.
This project engages citizens to work with scientists, the University of Delaware, and Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) to conduct Horseshoe crab spawning surveys every May and June and to team up with shorebird experts from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife to count, weigh, and measure the shorebirds arriving on the Bay to feed on crab eggs.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- monitoring of state threatened/endangered species
Outreach and Education: volunteer training
Total Project Cost: $30,000
Status: The DRN is currently seeking funding to continue monitoring the Horseshoe crabs and the shorebirds of the Delaware Bay for the Spring of 2012. This monitoring is used directly by DRN and other groups to work for strong protections for the crabs and shorebirds while building awareness and training volunteers every year to assist with this important work.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.
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