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Archive for the 'recreation & aethestics' Category
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, ecological restoration project, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
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 resident 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: $135,000-150,000
Status: The project is supported by project partners: 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.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: delaware riverkeeper network, franklin parker small grants program, wma 16 (cape may), wma 17 (maurice salem and cohansey), wma 18 (lower delaware)
Posted in NRD settlement candidate project, biological diversity, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
Clean and healthy water in our rivers and streams is critical for the ecosystems, the wildlife, and the communities of the Delaware River region. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) works to protect the Delaware 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 ensure that the polluters are held fully accountable for the harm.
The Delaware River Safe Water Action Team (DR SWAT) is a proactive initiative that includes the creation of a structured, permanent, and ongoing catastrophic response program, including a DRN Emergency Response Command Center that can kick into high gear at a moment’s notice.
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; and
- 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.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- protection of headwaters, wetlands protection
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: $88,000
In 2008, CRI awarded $3000 to this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
Status:
Learning from their experience with the Athos I oil spill and other smaller spills and emergencies that have happened since, the DRN has updated its pollution hotline contacts, increased outreach, and begun staffing the hotline so weekend and evening emergencies are quickly addressed. The Delaware Riverkeeper also serves and is a voting member on the Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee (DRBOSAC) to “provide advice, recommendations, and a ranking of priorities for measures to improve the prevention and response to future oil spills in the Delaware River and Delaware Bay.”
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: hunterdon land trust alliance
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
The 108 acre Urbach farm is a beautiful mix of open fields, woody old fields, woodlands and stream corridors. It extends from Klinesville Road (County Route 617) north to Cherryville Hollow Road, Raritan Township. The property borders the ridge that divides the Assiscong Creek and the Walnut Brook and affords a spectacular view of the Highlands to the North.
The land includes the wooded stream corridor along the Assiscong Creek, a tributary to the South Branch of the Raritan River, which provides drinking water to over 1 million New Jersey residents. The land supports a diverse wildlife population including a variety of mammals and large numbers of different species of birds, including warblers and pileated woodpeckers. The benefits of preservation of this land include stream water quality protection, flood control, groundwater recharge, conservation of wildlife habitat, preservation of rural character and opportunities for recreation including hiking and wildlife observation.
The farm compliments an extensive greenway of preserved open space parcels in the area associated with the Assiscong Creek –Raritan Township conservation lands to the north and extensive Township and County parklands along the Walnut Brook to the south extending nearly continuously to the Hunterdon Land Trust Association Dvoor Farm and beyond.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality and quantity- protection of headwaters and groundwater recharge areas, flood control
Biological Diversity: Habitat- protection and enhancement of grassland bird habitat
Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails, wildlife observation
Total Project Cost: $1,515,000
Status: Over $1 million has been raised for this project through county Open Space Trust Funds and State Green Acres Funds. Approximately $470,900 is still needed.
For more information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: d&r greenway land trust
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics
CRI granted the D&R Greenway Land Trust $150,000 for this project from the 2009 RPWHP Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Re-grant Program.
In the heart of the Amwell Valley and the Natural Heritage Program Amwell Valley Grasslands Macrosite, this property adjoins some of the largest remaining contiguous tracts of farmland in the region and has received priority ranking as grassland bird habitat in the Raritan-Piedmont Wildlife Habitat Partnership (RPWHP) Grassland Conservation Plan produced by NJ Audubon. Known as the “Cider Mill Road” property, this farm and adjacent farms are well known by birders and naturalists as a current breeding location for bobolinks and other grassland birds in summer and as winter habitat for grassland raptors including northern harriers and short-eared owls. The property is currently managed as open land in hay and grasses which is enrolled in the Federal Conservation Reserve Program.
D&R Greenway‘s intent is to acquire the fee interest in the property to insure that it will be managed long-term in an optimal manner for grassland habitat. Furthermore there is a potential synergy with the Farmland Preservation Program in that the property can be used to demonstrate the compatibility of grassland habitat and agriculture including involvement of local farmers and use of Federal Farm Bill Programs.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- grassland restoration
Biological Diversity: Habitat- Federal Conservation Reserve Program, breeding habitat for rare grassland bird species
Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- birding habitat
Total Project Cost: $423,000
Status: The owners have indicated that they are willing sellers for a fair appraised value. There is a strong interest by a member of the family to retain a few acres of the site to do a green building demonstration project compatible with, and supportive of, grassland habitat management on the remainder of the site.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: new jersey conservation foundation, wma 08 (north and south branch raritan)
Posted in NRD settlement candidate project, agricultural production, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, recreation & aethestics
The Rothpletz Farm, located in Tewksbury’s 12-acre zone, is located in the preservation area of the Highlands. It provides magnificent and sweeping views of preserved farmland and distant mountain ranges, including Round Valley Reservoir.
New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) has been looking for a preserve in its Black River Greenway project area that would host both natural and agricultural components representative of the region. This property meets their criteria. If NJCF could acquire this whole site, then they would intend to convert the lower agricultural land to an organic farming operation, while some of the more steeply sloping fields would be converted to conservation land for passive recreation. The hayed areas towards the top would likely be converted to warm-season grasslands, and would include hiking trails where visitors could enjoy distant views.
The property has been of critical local interest for many years, and nonprofits and the local government have sought to preserve it for over a decade. The Garden State Greenways project identified the property as containing both Critical Resource: Agriculture and Grasslands, as well as providing a Critical Connector. Tewksbury’s Open Space Plan identifies parcels of greater than 30 acres in size (p.140) The plan proposes to carry out the Township’s policy to preserve open space by evaluating these parcels based on several criteria, including the following which the property meets: aquifer recharge, presence of freshwater wetland, unique wildlife and plant habitats, mature woodlands, headwater streams, steep slopes, aesthetic views and vistas, accessibility to the public, suitability for multiple types of uses, sustainability of the property’s intended use, and opportunity for preservation. The Township plan encourages preservation of large interconnected natural areas. Preservation of this property, nestled between the Township’s Hell Mountain Preserve and the Rothpletz farm, certainly meets this goal. The County plan recommends collaboration with nonprofits and others in the conservation of priority lands in conservation zones. The County Park Plan encourages protection of meadows of significant size (25 acres or more) to provide habitat to grassland bird species, and encourages 200 foot or larger buffers to streams, which would be afforded by preserving this property. Furthermore, the Hunterdon County Planning Board identified Hell Mountain as the area in Hunterdon County with the highest Natural Resource Score, based on its groundwater recharge, significant forest cover and significant habitat for rare plant species.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation, grassland restoration
Water Protection, Filtration and Control: Water quantity- protection of groundwater recharge areas
Agricultural Production: Local food systems- organic agriculture
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails
Total Project Cost: $8,100,000
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: trust for public land
Posted in NRD settlement candidate project, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, recreation & aethestics
Camp Albocondo is a 58-acre former campground in Tom’s River Township on the Manchester border, north of Winding River Park. It has approximately 18-20 developable upland acres plus significant wetlands.
The property encompasses both sides of the Category 1 Toms River and borders Township owned land both to the north and south creating a natural extension of Winding River Park. The property has an in-ground pool and man made lake, as well as several buildings in various conditions. This property has excellent potential to be used as a summer day camp /campground. The site is a well buffered refuge from busy Toms River and contains many mature trees and access to the Toms River. The property is accessed from Whitesville Road and is adjacent to the Boy Scouts of America offices.
The property has a number of buildings, including one habitable house used by a caretaker. There is a second home which is boarded up in poor condition. Other buildings include two cement block restroom facilities, a large barn at the rear of the pool and a trading post/snack bar.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- Avoided deforestation
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- summer day camp
Total Project Cost: The Trust for Public Land needs to raise an additional $2.5 million to preserving this property
Status: Contract signed; appraisals ordered
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: franklin parker small grants program, rahway river association, wma 07 (arthur kill)
Posted in NRD settlement candidate project, biological diversity, ecological restoration 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: u.s. fish and wildlife service
Posted in NRD settlement candidate project, biological diversity, ecological restoration project, recreation & aethestics, riparian mitigation candidate project, water protection, filtration, & control, wetlands mitigation project
The Mill Dam Fish Passage Restoration Project will install a denil-type fish ladder within the Mill Dam to provide access to spawning and rearing habitat for migrating fish and would benefit migratory fish populations that historically spawned in the Rancocas River including: alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), and American eel (Anguilla rostrata). The fish ladder at Mill Dam would provide access to approximately 11 miles of spawning habitat for alewife, American shad, and American eel.
Currently, alewife are able to use the Rancocas River up to Mill Dam. However, alewife are prevented from using areas upstream of the Mill Dam due to the obstruction. As a result of the Mill Dam, hundreds of alewife congregate at the base of the dam every spring during the spawning run. In addition, a fish ladder was constructed at the Smithville Dam approximately 5 miles upstream in anticipation of fish passage being provided at Mill Dam. The land use around the Rancocas River includes agriculture, open space, and residential and commercial development.
Improving migratory fish access into the Rancocas River will enhance the biological diversity of the riverine ecosystem, also benefitting wading birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife species. As studies have shown, the reintroduction of herring populations through spawning runs not only makes available the juvenile herrings as a food supply for other marine or freshwater fish, but other life stages of the herring provide additional foraging opportunities for birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Thus, the number of fish species and piscivorous birds upstream of the dam will rise due to the overall improvement in the health of the Rancocas River’s riparian system as natural aquatic food webs are rebuilt.
Recreational fishing opportunities for the public will increase with future “herring runs.” The recreational fishery for striped bass (Morone saxatilius) will benefit from the increases in aquatic biodiversity and forage fish populations. A variety of warm-water fish (e.g., chain pickerel (Esox niger), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), largemouth bass (M. salmoides)) will feed on alewife, thus providing recreational fishing opportunities for both anadromous and warm-water fisheries.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Ecosystem restoration- restoring spawning grounds, restoring forage for upstream species
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- recreational fishing
Total Project Cost: $500,000
Status: The project has completed conceptual designs and is now finalizing engineering designs for the project. Project construction can begin as early as Spring 2010 with funding sources in place.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources Inc.
Tags: delaware riverkeeper network, franklin parker small grants program
Posted in biological diversity, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, supplemental environmental project
The Delaware Bay is home to the largest concentration of horseshoe crabs worldwide. As a result, 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 Delaware Bay’s shores to witness this ancient phenomenon. But scientific studies indicate horseshoe crabs and shorebirds are in trouble with some species of birds, like the Red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), steadily declining from over 100,000 in the 1980s to less than 15,000 in 2007. Declines have been linked to the number of horseshoe crab eggs on our beaches.
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 will engage citizens to work with scientists, the University of Delaware, and Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) to conduct horseshoe crab spawning surveys in May and June of 2010 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. The monitoring is done annually.
 Ecosystem Services Provided:
Biological Diversity: Habitat- monitoring of state threatened/endangered species
Outreach and Education: volunteer training
Total Project Cost: $30,000
In 2009, CRI awarded a $3,500 grant to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
Status: The DRN is seeking funding for this project.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: natural lands trust, wma 17 (maurice salem and cohansey)
Posted in climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
 On this beautiful wetland lot, all of the involved acreage appears to be forested wetlands, with about 90 percent of the acreage within the 100-year floodplain line. The strategic value of this lot is that it provides a 100-foot-wide access right-of-way to a section of Bear Swamp West that is currently inaccessible without crossing private property.
The landlocked section currently owned by the Natural Lands Trust (NLT) includes 75 acres within five lots. Although not classified as old growth forest this section, with at least one area of open sedge marsh, contains beautiful hardwood swamp dominated by red maple and sour gum, with pitch pines interspersed throughout the area.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quantity- Protection of forested wetlands and groundwater recharge areas
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- access to Bear Swamp West
Total Project Cost: $68,000
Status: The NLT currently has a signed contract. Although the contract is scheduled to expire soon, the landowner is willing to renew, provided that it doesn’t take too long to get the money needed for closing.
If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources Inc.
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