South Mountain Conservancy e-Bulletin. July 2021
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New bog bridges in the Wildflower Preserve protect sensitive habitats from foot traffic and make the trails more accessible for hikers. Bog bridges were completed at the end of May. To check them out, park at the Dog Park off Bear Lane and enter through the gates. Be sure to close the gate behind you to prevent deer from entering. The Wildflower Preserve is 1 of the 41 deer exclosures that work to regenerate a new native understory without being over-browsed by high deer populations.
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Well-wishes for long-term SMC volunteer and Chainsaw Gang Program Coordinator
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Thank you, Jack. Jack Vayda, who joined the Chainsaw Gang in 2014, and coordinated from 2018 taking over from Dave Hogenauer, is moving. After four decades, he is saying goodbye to his Maplewood home and moving to Nashville, TN to be close to two of his three grown daughters. We thank him for his many hours of volunteer work and the hundreds of trees he and his crew removed from the trails. Jack was known to fully analyze any tangled tree situation before cutting and always being extremely safety conscious. Board member Dave Berry, who has been ably helping coordinate the group and document work tasks, will now continue as program coordinator. Jack, good luck in your new ventures. - Dennis Percher
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Jack Vayda leading a Chainsaw Safety course last year.
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Conservancy volunteers and contributors are making South Mountain Reservation better for all to enjoy!
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Forest Regeneration Corps- ~2,000 invasive plants removed, ~500 native seedlings planted, conducted soil sampling, constructed bog bridges; 418 volunteer hours.
Chainsaw Gang- 59 trees removed or cut; 70 volunteer hours.
Trash Tacklers- 94 large kitchen bags of trash removed; 195 volunteer hours.
Citizen Science- 20 volunteers trained & currently monitoring frog populations; 120+ volunteer hours.
Hikes-hike leaders volunteered 104 hours leading guided hikes.
Other work- including sign installation, trail brushing, trailblazing, graffiti removal, and fence repair work; 280.5 volunteer hours.
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We are so proud of all of these accomplishments and this is only half of 2021!
Thank you all for your efforts!
If you are interested in volunteering with any of these programs, please see our Events Calendar for upcoming opportunities.
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Guided hiking program is now open to the public!
Due to the loosening of safety restrictions, we are once again able to increase our hiking participant capacity. Hikes will be capped at 25 participants. Registration through Eventbrite is required, rather than through Meetup. This allows us to reduce our need for paper liability waivers and ensures that we can continue to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Current members will receive early registration access where they can register for multiple hikes. Non-members will have the opportunity to register for a hike, 1 week in advance through a link posted in both our Meetup and Facebook pages.
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Volunteering makes us feel really, really good. Do you have a story to share?
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Without our volunteers we could not protect, preserve, and restore 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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Trail Work Crew- July 11th, 9:00am-12pm
Volunteers needed! Having completed the new orange-blazed Dogwood Trail last month, we are turning our attention to fixing some erosion problems on the West Ridge Trail. This is labor-intensive, but rewarding work for volunteers 15+ in age. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. We will provide gloves.
Following CDC guidelines, vaccinated people need not follow any mask guidelines.
*Registration is not required for this program
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Forest Regeneration Corps.-July 24th, 9:00am-12pm
Volunteers needed!
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Help plant native species and remove invasive plants, and maintain trails in the 14-acre Wildflower and Forest Preserve. Ages 12+ (adult supervision needed below 18).
Please dress appropriately! Wear long pants, closed toe shoes or rain boots, bug spray, and sunscreen. We supply gloves and water.
Meet at: Wildflower Preserve (11 Bear Lane, Maplewood), aka the Dog Park.
For information, contact Program Coordinators Christy Zolty & Glenn Newman at forestregen@somocon.org
Following CDC guidelines, vaccinated people need not follow any mask guidelines.*Registration is not required for this program
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We are expanding our Board of Trustees.
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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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Get your hike on with SMC!
As a current SMC member, you will receive hike invites directly to your inbox every month. You can also pre-register for all hikes offered each month. However since hike capacity is limited, guests are not permitted at this time. Should you need to cancel, we ask you to be courteous and cancel through your Eventbrite account to allow space. Registration is required. Once the registration window closes, you will not be able to attend the hike. If you recently joined our membership to attend hikes, please allow up to 10 days for your membership to be processed. Once complete, you will receive hike invites in your inbox at the end of each month. If you have a family membership and would like a family member to attend, please contact us. If you have questions about your membership status, email us. Thank you 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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There have been Black bear sightings in the area, but this is not uncommon.
Black bears are the largest land mammal in NJ. They are an integral part of the state's natural heritage and a vital component of healthy ecosystems. -NJ Fish & Wildlife
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You can help support South Mountain Reservation!
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