South Mountain Conservancy e-Bulletin. May 2021
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Volunteers work on completing the Dogwood Connector trail. 4/18/21
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Share Your Inspiring Story about SMR Stewardship!
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Every spring, particularly around Earth Day, April 22nd, children and adults of all ages start focussing a little bit more on the earth and what we, as individuals and collectively, can do to celebrate and care for our beautiful blue planet. Luckily for our sweet South Mountain Reservation, volunteerism was plentiful in a year of Covid. Without our volunteers we could not protect, preserve, and enhance SMR for generations to come.
In celebration of our volunteers and their passion for environmental stewardship, we are asking that they share their inspiring stories of how caring for the environment has impacted their lives. Selected stories will be highlighted in our monthly e-Bulletin and on social media.
If you have an experience that you would like to share, we look forward to hearing from you! We will be collecting submissions throughout 2021. Stories should reflect on a volunteer experience within South Mountain Reservation. Food for thought: How did your volunteer experience(s) impact you personally? What does environmental stewardship mean to you?
How to Submit:
Submit your stories to opsdirector@somocon.org with the subject line: SMR Stewardship Story. Submissions can either be written or expressed through visual art. Written submissions should be no more than 500 words. Please include your name, (optional: photo, town, age). If you would like to remain anonymous, please note that in your submission.
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Fairy Trail Restoration Begins
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BSA Troop 21, Maplewood helped SMC initiate Phase 1 of the Fairy Trail Restoration Project. Over the next several months SMC hopes to raise $5,000 to purchase and install trail borders and native plants. Phase 1 measures will help reduce further erosion and loss of habitat, and work to restore compacted soil and improve ecological health.
If you plan to visit the Fairy Trail, please note our LNT policy and do not leave anything along the trail. Complete details about visitor etiquette, the Master Plan for the Restoration Project, as well as the history can be viewed on our website.
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SMC receives many emails regarding dogs that are not on their leashes while on SMR trails. To help us learn more, please fill out this brief poll.
picture: LoveYourDogs.com
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1) What is your comfort level when you see a dog off a leash on the trails?
lowest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 highest
Sorry, voting is closed.
2) How likely are you to verbally remind someone with a dog off leash about the leash policy on SMR trails?
lowest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 highest
Sorry, voting is closed.
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Vandalism at Mayapple Hill Picnic Field
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Someone in a heavy, four-wheel drive vehicle drove in concentric circles tearing up the grassy field. The County is filling in the ruts and replant the grass, but this diverts its scarce resources, and makes the field unuseable at this time. If you have any information about who may have done this, please contact the Essex County Parks Department at (973) 268-3500, or Dan Salvante, Parks Director, at dsalvante@parks.essexcountynj.org.
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Citizen Science is providing a better understanding about our residents.
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Frog breeding season is well underway! Around 20 trained FrogWatchUSA volunteers are now actively monitoring 7 sites throughout South Mountain Reservation to provide a baseline understanding of SMR's resident species. Frogs are known as indicator species as they are sensitive to changes in the environment, such as pollution. Among some of those observed have been the Wood Frog, Northern Spring Peeper, Pickerel Frog, and Gray Treefrog. Monitoring will continue through the end of August.
(Left Photo: Pickerel Frog from Naturally Curious with Mary Holland)
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Trail Work Crew- May 2nd, 9:00am-12pm
Volunteers needed! We will be working on the southern section of the new Dogwood Trail. This is strenuous, but rewarding, work using hand tools to create a trail tread and is restricted to persons age 15 and above. While we will generally be working many feet apart, protocols such as mask wearing and distancing are mandatory. Meet at Old Short Hills Park, 274 Old Short Hills Rd., Millburn (parking lot at the right as you enter). It is the closest access point to the trail section since Brookside Drive is closed to traffic on Sunday mornings. (Note: We usually meet the first Sunday of each month, except when that falls on a holiday.) Meetup Posting...
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We are expanding our Board of Trustees.
The South Mountain Conservancy is looking for new members for its volunteer Board of Trustees. Individuals are invited to apply who are passionate about South Mountain Reservation and supporting the conservancy's mission as steward of and advocate for this beloved park and increasing public engagement. Experience on nonprofit boards, a background in environmental/ecology issues, or business acumen are some of the skills sought. We are also seeking individuals that can serve as secretary and treasurer and reflect the diverse communities that use the park. Board members are expected to attend evening meetings every couple of months (now via Zoom) and take on additional operational or administrative responsibilities, as required. If interested, please contact Dennis Percher, chairperson, at chair@somocon.org.
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Robust Guided Hikes Spring Schedule has begun!
Over 20 hikes are scheduled from now until June 20th! We are grateful for our experienced and dedicated hike leaders who make the Reservation more accessible! Due to new safety protocol, hikes remain limited to 14 participants and you must be a current SMC member. Current members will receive a special invite via email, with a link for registration. If you have questions about your membership status, email us. Thank you for your understanding and happy hiking!
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Another reason to support the places you love!
SMC Members will now receive 10% off any Sassquad Trail Runners Events. Inquire today.
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You can help support South Mountain Reservation!
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