The Conservation Exchange » wma 01 (upper delaware)

Dark Moon Preserve Grassland Restoration

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:15:51 +0000

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.

LEED-Certified River Resource Center

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:32:41 +0000

The Musconetcong Watershed Association‘s (MWA) role in educating local officials and residents and protecting and restoring the Musconetcong Watershed is more important than ever. MWA recognized that in order to meet its mission, it was imperative to build a permanent structure; a River Resource Center will ensure the continued viability of their preservation, education, and stewardship efforts.

The MWA renovated a 2,150 square foot storehouse building, adapting it into a meeting hall with office and support space to base the association’s programs. These include environmental and outdoor educational programs, municipal government outreach, workshops and seminars for the public, stream cleanups, and projects such as stream bank restoration, well-testing and water quality monitoring. The headquarters will also be a beginning point for river-based recreation activities like canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing.

The River Resource Center building renovation includes a complete refurbishment inside and outside the structure, and provides examples of sustainable building practices such as composting toilets, riparian restoration, the use of passive solar, and pervious paving for visitor parking. The MWA designed and built the River Resource Center to achieve the US Green Building Council’s LEED certification.

This “green” building provides a physical model for homeowners and small businesses; it demonstrates how applying green building and landscaping principles can be practical and cost-effective and incorporated into any project. The River Resource Center will lead the public by example in exploring cost- effective and environmentally sound solutions that can be applied to other building projects in the region.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Outreach, Recreation, and Aesthetics: Environmental education- LEED-certified nature center and model for sustainable building practices; Public access- access to waterfront

Total Project Cost: $668,000

CRI provided funding towards this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program: $5,000 in 2006, $2,000 in 2007, $2,500 in 2008, and $4,000 in 2009.

Status: This project is closed.

If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources Inc.

Woods Property Acquisition

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:14:56 +0000

The Woods property is at the core of Ridge and Valley Conservancy’s (RVC) Limestone Forest Project Area. It is located atop a high limestone plateau, with many limestone outcrops. It is entirely forested. The property adjoins RVC’s 68-acre Mountainwood Spring Preserve, preserved recently using partial county funding, and RVC’s 348-acre Limestone Forest Preserve. It is part of the direct recharge area for Mountanwood Spring, a prolific limestone spring that feeds the Paulins Kill.

The protection of the property is important because it is located within NJDEP’s Shuster Pond Natural Heritage Area and is in close proximity to the nearly 800-acre White Lake Wildlife Mangement area and Warren County White Lake Natural Resource Area. It contains limestone outcrop, soils, and sinkholes, which host a variety of unique and often rare species. It is part of a large contiguous forest block that hosts native songbirds, black bear, and bobcat. It is classified by the State as potential Bald Eagle forage. The property is part of the limestone terrain identified as a high priority for acquisition in Hardwick Township’s open space plan.

The Ridge and Valley Conservancy plans to purchase the property in fee and become the owner. The site will host the continuation of the public hiking trail through Mountainwood Spring. A trail spur was created at the time Mountainwood was preserved to accommodate a connector trail to Woods. This extended trail will be used for passive recreation.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water protection, filtration and control: Water quality and quantity- Protection of headwaters and groundwater recharge areas

Climate stabilization and air pollution mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation

Biological diversity: Habitat- Natural heritage program

Recreation & aesthetics- Public access-hiking trails

Total Project Cost: $199,000

In 2008, CRI provided $3,000 in funding for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.

Status: The owner would like to close on this property in 2012.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.

Water Quality, Wetland and Wildlife Habitat Improvement through Riparian Restoration

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:15:51 +0000

CRI granted this project $4,000 in 2007, and $3,000 in 2008 through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.

This project is located on the Central Valley Farm in the Musconetcong River watershed in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County New Jersey. The West Portal Brook is approximately 2,000 feet in length as it flows through the property. This stream is classified by NJ DEP as a Category One, Trout Production Stream. The implementation of a riparian buffer corridor on this property included components of installation of 2100 feet of livestock exclusion fence, removal of multiflora rose and the establishment of riparian corridor in accordance with the design plans prepared by North Jersey RC&D.

The goal of the project is to improve the water quality in West Portal Brook, prior to its confluence with the Musconetcong River, through brush management, installation of livestock exclusion fencing and establishing a riparian buffer. The fencing parallel to the stream excludes livestock from the stream corridor. The establishment of a riparian forest buffer within the fenced corridor will provide benefit to both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

The riparian forest buffer was established from the top of the stream bank to the livestock exclusion fence, a minimum distance of 25 feet. The buffer will help to improve and protect water quality by reducing the amount of sediment and associated pollutants, such as nutrients, in the surface runoff. The improved riparian corridor will provide food, shelter, shading, nursery habitat, and pathways for resident and nonresident aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- restoring stream buffers, riparian land protection, stream bank stabilization, preventing sedimentation

Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- aforestation, riparian buffer restoration

Biological Diversity: Habitat-extend habitat corridors and increase native wildlife habitat

Total Project Cost: $282,520

Status: In August 2011, 3.4 acres of invasive plants such as multiflora rose were removed, while preserving existing native trees and shrubs. North Jersey RC&D completed this work as a contract through Tuff Greens Inc. The New Jersey Youth Corps were directed by The Fence Company and North Jersey RC&D to string the 5-strand high tensile fence lines. Around 400 trees and shrubs were planted at the project site in early November 2011 by volunteers from Trout Unlimited and members of the community. Most of the trees had black mesh or welded wire caging placed around them to reduce damage by deer browse during the establishment time period.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.

Agricultural Heritage and Habitat Conservation Project

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:36:32 +0000

In 2006, CRI facilitated a $25,000 grant from the Beneficia Foundation to the New Jersey Audubon Society for this project.

The New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) is working to protect the agricultural culture of the Delaware Valley Region of Warren County by offering opportunities for grassland habitat restoration for rare species as well as agricultural preservation. NJAS recognizes that if grassland wildlife will continue to exist in New Jersey, an innovative initiative that considers farm economics and wildlife conservation is needed. Restoring warm-season grasslands adjacent to actively farmed fields prevents soil erosion, provides important grassland wildlife habitat, and improves water quality. The long-term goal of this project is to use Harmony Township as a model to preserve biodiversity and agricultural heritage while creating grassland habitat and improving water quality.

NJAS is currently working with 173 landowners/farmers on habitat restoration work enrolled into a conservation program via NJAS through the Agricultural Heritage and Habitat Conservation Project (AHHCP). NJAS plans to restore over 500 acres to warm season grassland habitat in 2009.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- grassland restoration

Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- groundwater recharge, riparian buffer, erosion prevention

Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection

Total Project Cost: $80,000

Status: Currently 1305 acres have received approval for habitat conservation restoration from various conservation program agencies through the Agricultural Heritage and Habitat Conservation Plan (AAHHCP). Of the 1305 acres approved, 1067 acres have been restored to date. These consist primarily of grassland restorations–both native warm-season grass installation and/or delayed mowing on existing cool-season hay fields. However, several restorations have also focused on bog turtle habitat, wetlands, and scrub-shrub habitat.

In 2009 NJAS will focus on the remaining 238 acres of the 1305 areas approved for grassland restorations. These properties were just approved for work in 2009 under the Landowner Incentive Program.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.

Morris Canal Greenway Trailhead Facility

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:59:37 +0000

The Canal Society of NJ is negotiating with the State Park Service to lease this 2-acre property containing a former residence and Canal Store, on Waterloo Road in Allamuchy Township. The goal is to create a trailhead facility and interpretive center adjacent to the Morris Canal Greenway Trail in Allamuchy Mt. State Park. The property was recently acquired by the State Park Service under Green Acres and is available for lease to either a non-profit or a residential tenant. The proposed facility would provide parking, ADA compliant restrooms and interpretive displays for hikers and others exploring the Greenway Trail and would ensure the continuity of this portion of the Morris Canal Greenway, which is a major conservation and preservation initiative of the Society and its partners.

The CSNJ is negotiating a long-term lease with the NJ DEP, Dept. of Parks & Forestry, so there are no acquisition costs. Funds will be used for labor and construction costs in bringing the house up to code for public assembly and in compliance with the ADA. This will include upgrading the restrooms, enlarging doorways, adding interior and exterior ramps, and adding fire and emergency lights and signs, in addition to basic repairs.

The future trailhead facility sits at a trail intersection of four long-distance trails. Three of them follow the Morris Canal towpath through the Musconetcong valley: the 100-mile Morris Canal Greenway Trail; the 150-mile Highlands Trail, which stretches from Storm King Mountain on the Hudson River to Phillipsburg, NJ on the Delaware River; and the Liberty Water Gap Trail, which runs across northern New Jersey from Liberty State Park on the Hudson River to the Delaware Water Gap on the Delaware River. The fourth long-distance trail, Patriots Path, transects Morris County and will eventually terminate in Stephens State Park, which is adjacent to this property. The property is ideally located for visitor access to and interpretation of the Morris Canal Greenway Trail.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Outreach, Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- trailhead facility; Environmental education- interpretive displays

Total Project Cost: $78,000

In 2008, CRI provided $2,500 in funding for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.

Status: To date, the CSNJ has received grants of $5,000 each from the Leavens Foundation and the NJ Highlands Coalition towards the project. They will be applying to the National Recreational Trails Program and to the Warren County Municipal and Charitable Trust for a major portion of the construction costs. Many of the construction costs will likely be offset by donated materials and labor, as the Canal Society membership has a long tradition of hands-on work.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.