South Mountain Conservancy e-Bulletin - November 2022
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Annual Family Campout Recap
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Thanks to all who attended and volunteered at the 8th Annual Family Campout. It is because of you, our wonderful community, that this year's event was a huge success!
Thirty-six families participated this year with over 120 people camping out. We are grateful to the Essex County Parks Department and all our friends from the Turtle Back Zoo, Rugged Research, Essex County Environmental Center and Amp Yoga for facilitating educational and fun stations. Kids of all ages created magical Fairy Houses thanks to Beth Kelly and Julie Gould, our Fairy Trail Program Coordinators. The evening programming was a highlight, with a thrilling night hike led by David Alexander from the Essex County Environmental Center (hidden dinosaurs in the woods!) and a group campfire with skits, S'mores and John Bylancik's enchanting Native American flute playing.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
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Introducing SMC's
New Hiking Program Coordinator!
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Please join us in welcoming Bobbette Clarke to the Conservancy as our new Hiking Program Coordinator!
Bobbette, a West Orange resident, took to hiking in 2015 in an effort to improve her health. You could often see her traipsing up the hill on South Orange Avenue and it was during one of these Saturday walks that she met David Hogenauer at Bramhall Terrace. She joined Dave's hike the following weekend and there was no looking back.
From that time, Bobbette was hooked on hiking, the South Mountain Conservancy and the wonderful community she found there. Bobbette spends her week as a Senior Business Analyst, wrangling HR Benefit concerns and she really appreciates the restorative calm and reset that a weekend walk in the woods provides. She is excited for the opportunity to give back to the Conservancy and will use these same wrangling skills to support the hiking program.
Welcome Bobbette!
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Forest Regeneration Spotlight:
Acorn Storage Project
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Oak trees are shedding their acorns and it's a great time to save them for future planting. You can easily sprout your own acorns at home to aid the Forest Regeneration Program in the spring. Oaks are vital to the ecosystem and this is a great way to give back to the forest!
South Mountain Conservancy's Forest Regeneration Team was able to plant six white oaks this year from the crop of acorns that our member Robert Belzer gathered last year.
Robert shares his tips with us on how to pick, store and sprout acorns:
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First, gather your acorns and put them in water. Do they sink or float? If they sink, they are good! If they float they are not viable and you can discard them.
Next, follow these steps:
1. Get an ordinary flower pot and put some rocks (for drainage) in the bottom and then a layer of dirt.
2. Put in the acorns that have been collected (picture 1)
3. Put an inch or two of dirt over the acorns
4. Put a protective piece of wire above the acorns to keep out the squirrels! (picture 2)
5. Put a layer of dirt over the protective piece
6. Dig a hole and put the pot in the ground so the layer of dirt in the pot is at ground-level of the hole. (picture 3)
In the springtime after the risk of frost is done, plant the acorns in paper seeding pots. Keep in mind that the acorns will need to be protected since the seedlings are little flags for wildlife that there is a tasty acorn to be had! Once the acorns have sprouted, they can be moved to a permanent location or into flower pots to be planted in the Fall.
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Opportunities to Give Back
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Sunday, November 6
9am-12pm
Trail Work Crew Volunteer Workday
**Note Daylight Savings Time Ends this day - don't come an hour early!**
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Trail Work is very satisfying but strenuous as we use hand tools to construct hiking trails. This month, we're working on improving some soggy sections of the Zoo Loop by creating water bars, clearing swales and building and repairing four bog bridges.
Last month we finished a new section of the Swampy Trail as it goes south from Crest Drive toward Locust Grove. Check it out! Questions: trailwork@somocon.org
PLEASE REGISTER ON MEETUP SO WE
KNOW HOW MANY TOOLS TO BRING!
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Sunday, November 20
9am-12pm
Forest Regeneration Volunteer Workday
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Forest Regeneration activities focus on the areas in and around the fenced 14-acre Forest and Wildflower Preserve located near the Dog Park in the Reservation. We will focus on removing invasive plants like knotweed and mugwort. Ages 12 to 15 are welcome with a parent or guardian present. Ages 15 and above require a signature by a parent or guardian on a liability waiver; teenagers cannot just be dropped off.
Please dress appropriately! Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes or rain boots, bug spray, and layer as needed. We supply gloves and water.
Meet at the dog statue at Dog Park at 11 Bear Lane, Maplewood NJ.
Pre-registration is not required.
For information, contact Program Coordinator Christy Zolty at forestregen@somocon.org
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Hike South Mountain Reservation
with our experienced hike leaders
Our free guided hiking program is packed this season to get you outside and enjoying the cooler weather! Witness all the changes of autumn in the reservation and treat yourself to a gift of wellness. SMC members receive a full hike schedule each month delivered to their inbox, along with the opportunity for early bird registration. Non-members can register for hikes one week in advance through our Events Calendar, Meetup, or Facebook events.
Hikes are always free but registration, through Eventbrite, is required.
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Deadline Extended!
We are extending the fall photo contest by a few weeks! The South Mountain Reservation is in peak foliage and we want to give all members a chance to participate!
New Deadline: November 15th
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Would you like to get involved, schedule a program
or have an idea to share?
We'd love to hear from you!
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preserve, protect, restore
SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION
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Double Your Gift
Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations. Most match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even triple the amount of your gift! To find out if your company has a matching gift program check with your Human Resources Department.
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