South Mountain Conservancy e-Bulletin. August 2021
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SMC's hike leaders volunteer their time to offer hikes every weekend throughout the year. When you take a SMC guided hike through South Mountain Reservation, you can expect a high quality and safe hiking experience. Thank you to our incredible hike leaders for your time, passion, & expertise!
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Lou Nocito, Hike Program Coordinator
So why do I lead hikes? A good part of it is to pay back what was done for me. Dave Hogenauer pretty much taught me everything I know about hiking and the Reservation. So part of the reason I do it is to pay forward his endless passion for the Reservation and his innate kindness and willingness to share. For myself, I enjoy the serenity of the woods and the chance to share a random fact or two with others. I've met some great people, some who have become friends outside of the hiking schedule and I am grateful for that as well.
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Sharon Salmon, Hike Leader
I started hiking with the South Mountain Conservancy. Since then, I have become an avid hiker and long distance walker. I love the outdoors. I lead hikes as my way of saying thank you to the Conservancy and to share my passion for hiking with others.
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Gail Waimon, Hike Leader
Hiking is one of my passions and what could be better then having a bunch of nature lovers moving in step behind you while enjoying our beautiful South Mountain Reservation. I have been blessed with many memories leading people with loads of experience and those folks who come to us as first timers. Thank you to all of our hard working volunteers!
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Kirk Barrett, Hike Leader
I lead hikes because I like sharing my love for nature and appreciation for the Reservation.
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Bijoy Mechery, Hike Leader
My love for hiking in South Mountain began in 2012 and grew over the years. I am a hike leader for three other hiking clubs have led many hikes for them in South Mountain Reservation.
I am an active member of NJ/NY Trail Conference, National Parks Conservation Association, Rails To Trails Conservancy, Sierra Club, AMC, etc. I am passionate about nature, it’s preservation and enjoying public lands. I would like to help people enjoy and share the hiking experience.
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Check out the schedule! New hikes are added every week.
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Let SMC's hike leaders guide you through South Mountain Reservation!
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Guided hikes are free! Registration for general public opens 1 week in advance. Want to register? Visit our public Meetup and Facebook pages, and click the link for registration.
Hikes will be capped at 25 participants and registration is required. 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. Want to register in advance? Current members receive early bird registration for all the hikes in a particular month.
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Eagle Scout Projects Repair SMR Infrastructure
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Top Photo: Aidan Joyce repairing the fencing of a forest regeneration site this past Spring, along with members of Troop 6 in West Orange.
Bottom Left: Shane Donagher, of Troop 6 West Orange, fixing the picnic tables at Tulip Springs this month.
Bottom Right: Matt Faughnan, of Troop 17, Short Hills, completed bog bridges last month, on the east side of the Wildflower Preserve.
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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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Volunteers needed!
Trail work can be physically challenging. Participants must be 15 years or older. Participants should plan on bringing gloves, though backup gloves will be available. Tools, water, and a snack will be provided. Pre-registration is not required for this program.
The Trail Work Crew will be working on a connector trail that connects a planned overflow parking area to the trail system in order to address safety issues at the Hemlock Falls parking area.
The overflow parking area is at the County Maintenance Area just off South Orange Avenue near the intersection with Cherry Lane/Brookside Drive. This is where we will meet, on the left just off South Orange Avenue, as you enter.
Following CDC guidelines, vaccinated people need not follow any mask guidelines. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html)
Questions: Contact trailwork@somocon.org
Need Directions? See Meetup Posting...
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Forest Regeneration Corps.
Sunday, August 22, 2021
9AM-Noon.
Meet at: Wildflower Preserve, 11 Bear Lane
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Volunteers needed!
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. Pre-registration is not required for this program.
Meet at: Wildflower Preserve , 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. ( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html)
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Girl Scout Sculpture Vibes! Explore the Wildflower Sculpture Park
(Grades 2-5, Session 1 hr 45 min)
New Offering!
Join the curator of the Wildflower Sculpture Park, Lisa Sanders, at South Mountain Reservation and explore the who, how, and why of the outdoor sculptures. Share your insights after exploring the sculptures with both mind and body. Get creative and make art, whether sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, song, or dance. Some art supplies will be on hand. Come dressed for fun! Severe weather will cancel. Bring a water bottle and optional snack. Fulfills all steps of the Brownie/Junior outdoor badge requirements (not included). For Inquiries and scheduling, email Lisa Sanders, wspcurator@somocon.org.
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Get your hike on with SMC!
Current SMC members can now pre-register for hikes! Each month you will receive hike invites directly to your inbox. Hike capacity is limited to 25 participants and registration is required. If you would like to bring a guest, they are able to register the week of the hike through our public Meetup, Facebook, or Eventbrite pages. If you need to cancel, no problem! You can do so by cancelling through your Eventbrite account. 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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The Spotted Lanternfly has been found in South Mountain Reservation. If you would like to get involved and learn more about removing invasive species and managing native habitat, join the Forest Regeneration Corps at our next volunteer day, August 22nd!
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Black bear
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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