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Archive for the 'recreation & aethestics' Category
Tags: ny-nj baykeeper, wma 07 (arthur kill)
Posted in recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
The Head Mistress is moored in Keyport, NJ and is modeled after NY/NJ Baykeeper’s successful pumpout boat program in Jamaica Bay, NY. The boat offers free, convenient and reliable pumpouts to the over 4,000 recreational boaters in Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays from April through November. During the Summer of 2010 the boat serviced 168 recreational boats in Raritan Bay, from Keyport Harbor up to Perth Amboy, and 157 boats in Sandy Hook Bay. This amounts to approximately 6,460 gallons of waste that might have otherwise been dumped overboard, polluting our shared waters. All these pumpouts were provided at no cost to the boat owners.
The Bayshore Pumpout Boat captain and crew educate the public about the nuisance of algae blooms and hypoxia through the distribution of brochures and discussion with boat owners about the detrimental effects of excess nitrogen from sewage disposal into the bay waters. The brochures, news releases and stories in local newspapers related to the project build a constituency for cleaner water, combined sewer discharge abatement, and bolster the local municipalities’ knowledge of the effects of nitrogen discharges from its sewage treatment. The project also highlights positive steps being taken toward the clean-up of Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays, engaging our constituents to take a greater personal interest in the health of these shared waters.
There are only five stationary pumpout stations in the Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays, excluding the tributaries. The Pumpout Boat travels the coast and provides easily accessible pumpouts to recreational boaters in the Bays. This decrease of waste discharge into the bays will help reduce the occurrence of algae blooms, lesson introduction of toxics into the water and decrease fish kills.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality- preventing water pollution from sewage
Outreach, Recreation, and Aesthetics: Environmental education- outreach to boat owners
Total Project Cost: $14,500 per year
Status: Initial funding for this project, including the purchase of the boat, was provided by the Clean Vessel Act, IBoatNJ, Keyport, Hazlet, Atlantic Highlands, Matawan, Perth Amboy, and Middletown, and in-kind support from John Olsen’s Marina. The project was made possible thanks to a loan from the Keyport Yacht Club. NY/NJ Baykeeper is seeking $14,500 per year to continue this vital service.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: american littoral society
Posted in biological diversity, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
Part of the New York – New Jersey Harbor Estuary, Jamaica Bay is truly New York’s last great wilderness. Jamaica Bay is the most intact remnant of what was once a thriving estuarine ecosystem throughout New York City. Collectively, its salt marshes, mud flats, and shallow water areas are the largest expanse of estuarine habitat in this highly urbanized landscape. It lies at the confluence of two of the world’s most urban, heavily trafficked, and stressed waterways–the New York Bight and New York Bay. Add to this the Bay’s position in the geographic “corner” formed by the east-west position of Long Island and the North-South orientation of the Mid-Atlantic Coast, Jamaica Bay is a unique ecological phenomenon, supporting an exceptionally high concentration and biodiversity of life.
As part of a larger plan to restore the bay’s coastal habitats, in 2011-12 the American Littoral Society will be restoring 40 acres of coastal marine habitat including saltmarsh, mudflats, and intertidal beach in Jamaica Bay, New York City, by removing derelict boats and other large and small marine debris. This will enhance critical fish habitat for Atlantic silverside, killifish, alewife, striped mullet, winter flounder, Atlantic menhaden, bluefish, and striped bass. They will clean up habitat essential to the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and federally threatened loggerhead turtle, as well as the diamondback terrapin, a New York State Species of Concern. Avian species that depend on these habitats include the federally endangered roseate tern and the state threatened least bittern, American oystercatcher, black-crowned night heron, osprey, pied-billed grebe, and common barn owl.
The American Littoral Society would also like to produce brochures that will increase public engagement in and knowledge of marine debris issues, and train volunteers to aid them in their efforts.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality- improving the health of a tidal ecosystem
Biological Diversity: Habitat- enhance aquatic habitat for threatened and endangered turtles, shorebirds, and fish species
Outreach, Recreation and Aesthetics: Environmental education- train volunteers, educate public
Total Project Cost: $250,000
Status: The American Littoral Society has been awarded a grant of $120,000 from the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The NYC Department of Sanitation, Brooklyn College, and the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance are some of the partners that have agreed to donate time and services to Jamaica Bay Clean Sweep. The American Littoral Society needs to raise $25,000 to complete the first phase of this project.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: franklin parker small grants program, new jersey audubon society
Posted in biological diversity, completed projects, ecological restoration project, franklin parker small grants program, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2010, CRI awarded this project $3500 through its Franklin Parker Small Grant program.
In 2010, the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) was awarded a Franklin Parker Small Grant to assist in the construction of a 2-acre wetland at the Elvin W. Georges Grassland Preserve. The preserve is a 71-acre parcel that, in addition to wetland enhancement, is being planted in native warm season grasses. Wetland construction began in late July 2011 and was completed by October. By late November the wetland was already showing the transformation from a seep with non-native invasive vegetation to the beginnings of a functional wetland. Insects, frogs and some birds began using the wetland nearly immediately.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Water protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality and quantity- protection and expansion of wetlands
Biological Diversity: Habitat- extend habitat for amphibians and migrating wetland birds; increase diversity of habitats on preserve
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails; wildlife viewing
Total Project Cost: $16,300
Status: The wetland is complete. This wetland restoration project was partially funded by NRCS and was designed by NRCS engineers. The New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) obtained a WHIP grant that provided about $10,000 towards construction costs. Additional funding sources for the wetland included a NRCS WHIP grant and NJAS.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
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: 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: carbon sequestration and restoration grant program, conserve wildlife foundation, wma 16 (cape may)
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, ecological restoration project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics
In 2010, this project received a $5,000 grant from CRI, Elizabethtown Gas, and PSEG through CRI’s Carbon Sequestration and Restoration Grant Program.
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWF) is helping to restore habitat for migratory birds in one of the best birding regions in the world– Cape May, New Jersey. CWF is working with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to reforest fairways and create habitat to encourage wildlife, and wildlife-watching, at a former golf course called Ponderlodge. During the spring and fall the Cape May Peninsula, at the southern tip of New Jersey, plays an essential role in providing habitat for wildlife to rest and refuel. Each year, millions of migrating songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds are funneled into the Lower Peninsula during fall migration.
This important stopover site on the Cape May Peninsula was purchased by New Jersey’s Green Acres Program in February 2006 and it is now managed by the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). As its name suggests, this property was a functioning golf course just prior to being purchased for open space. After being purchased, it was instantly prized by residents and outdoor enthusiasts for its size, location, and recreational opportunities. However, in its current state, the 253-acre site has limited value to wildlife because of the low-quality habitat left behind from the golf course operations. Remnants of the golf course, including a lodge, a burned down mansion, paved trails, and many ponds and sand traps remain.
Forested habitat on site is fragmented with little understory vegetation. Forests provide critical habitat for migratory birds for use as stopover habitat and for nesting. Restoration of these forests will also increase the minimum patch size requirements to provide suitable habitat for several species of endangered and threatened birds, including the red-shouldered hawk, Cooper’s hawk, and barred owl. Endangered amphibian species, like the eastern tiger salamander and southern gray treefrog, that utilize ponds with adjacent forests will also benefit from this project.
CWF has used NJDFW’s Habitat Restoration Plan to help guide efforts at Ponderlodge to enhance the site to benefit wildlife, especially migratory birds. While the focus has primarily been on the restoration of wildlife habitat, CWF also realizes that their reforestation efforts are capturing carbon from the atmosphere. They will calculate the amount of carbon that is being captured from their reforestation efforts at Ponderlodge.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- reforestation
Biological Diversity: Habitat- protection of habitat for endangered/threatened species
Recreation and Aesthetics: Environmental education- Backyard habitat demonstration site
Total Project Cost: $30,000
Status: Since acquisition, CWF has worked with NJDFW to restore and reforest approximately 5 acres and enhance 12 acres of native warm season grasses. They have funding to create a “Backyard Habitat Demonstration Site” which will help educate local residents on the importance of using native species that provide habitat for migratory birds by providing food and cover. Funding will be needed in winter of 2011 to help purchase materials for the intended restoration activities on site.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: passaic river coalition
Posted in biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, projects funded by conservation resources, recreation & aethestics, water protection, filtration, & control
In 2010, CRI awarded $3500 to this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
The Ponderosa property is a critical environmental resource because it includes Tiers 2 and 3 Wellhead Protection Areas, contains wetlands, is located in the Preservation Area of the New Jersey Highlands, and is listed as a suitable habitat for the wood turtle, which is on NJDEP’s list of threatened and endangered species. The water from this wetland ultimately runs into Greenwood Lake which is a source of drinking water for the public. The property has an abundance of beautiful trees and contains a quaint babbling brook (during non-dry periods) that runs through the wetlands. The site contains more than one ecosystem and also has a mixture of old and new growth. It is a great area for hiking.
This property was close to being developed, needing only a few more permits before the Highlands Act kicked in. It is considered vulnerable to a changed regulatory environment. By acquiring the property, the Passaic River Coalition (PRC) would protect and preserve its ecosystems, habitats, and wetlands. The property is close to the Stanford property PRC is pursuing, also in W. Milford, as well as Bearfort Mountain. The purchase of this property would enhance relationship between PRC and Skylands Clean, as the latter would take on some stewardship responsibilities at the properties the PRC owns in the township.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Water Protection, Filtration and Control: Water quality- protection of wetlands, protection of headwaters / source of drinking water
Biological Diversity: Habitat- protection of habitat for state threatened and endangered species
Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails
Total Project Cost:$725,000
Status: The contract is signed. PRC is pursuing funding for this project.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
Tags: elizabeth conservancy, franklin parker small grants program, wma 7
Posted in agricultural production, biological diversity, climate stabilization and/or air pollution mitigation project, land preservation project, NRD settlement candidate project, recreation & aethestics
CRI awarded $3,500 to this project in 2010, and $2500 in 2011, through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.
Acquisition of the Bongiovanni land is desired to conserve / restore green space in Elizabeth and encourage environmental stewardship, children’s natural learning and community gardens. In the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, land containing fruit trees, flowering trees, and vegetable beds together on a sizable parcel is extremely rare.
The Elizabeth Conservancy (EC) would like to preserve the Bongiovanni property, and maintain its existing trees that have graced the property for many years, while providing beauty and environmental benefits to the community. The EC intends to reintroduce native plant species on the site to attract and support native wildlife and begin re-establishing the biodiversity that once existed in our neighborhoods; then support others to do likewise. Children’s natural learning will be encouraged on site and combined with community gardens. Following land acquisition, a small environmental education center will replace an existing structure. The EC ‘s goal is to model, educate, and create momentum for replication so that open green space/community gathering spots will be multiplied throughout the city.
A half acre of green space on an urban residential street can make a huge difference in quality of life, and as a model, is more easily replicated.
This project site is also valued for the well it contains, which is also extremely rare in Elizabeth. In past years it had been used for watering the family’s vegetable and flower beds. The EC would like to preserve and use it for bed irrigation to conserve water and keep utility bills to a minimum.
Through this project the EC can begin to serve the needs of Elizabeth’s culturally diverse population by providing opportunities for urban children and adults to connect with nature, grow their own food, exercise and improve their health, increase their environmental and gardening knowledge, and strengthen their community at the local neighborhood level. Through the successful implementation of this project the EC can reach out and assist others who would like to do similar work in their neighborhoods, and create momentum for environmental stewardship and healthier living in urban centers.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation; Physical urban climate moderation/Air quality- community greening project
Biological Diversity: Habitat- urban habitat enhancement
Agricultural Production: Local food systems- urban community gardening
Outreach, Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access to green space, environmental education
Total Project Cost: $ 600,000 – 700,000
Status: All due diligence work has been completed on this project. The Elizabeth Conservancy has received commitment from funders for the full amount needed for the Bongiovanni land acquisition, and is now focusing on money needed for an environmental education center.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
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.
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