South Mountain Conservancy e-Bulletin - January 2023
South Mountain Conservancy
Annual Meeting Announced!
Save the date for the South Mountain Conservancy Annual Meeting in person! 

Millburn Free Public Library
 March 21st, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Come and learn about our programs, hear directly from program coordinators, and discover ways you can volunteer in 2023.  

Kim Levinsky will be this year's Featured Speaker. Kim is an intrepid ultrarunner and founder of Sassquad Trail Running. She has race-directed over 50 races in NJ & NY and through these races has donated over $30,000 to charities, including over $13,000 to the South Mountain Conservancy! 

 Kim recently completed the Tahoe 200 Mile Trail Race in June of 2022 and is currently training to complete the 358-mile Long Path in NY over 8-10 days in July of 2023. Her talk will focus on tips and best practices for trail running while also sharing her favorite trail running stories. 

There are three upcoming races in the South Mountain Reservation organized by South Mountain Conservancy and Sassquad Trail Running: the Frosty Fat Sass on January 28th; the Squatchapple Trail Party on March 11th and the Mayapple Trail Run on May 13th. 

Visit Sassquad Trail Running for details and information. 
Join The SMC Frog Team!
Did you know that South Mountain Reservation's frogs and toads are actively breeding from February through August?

The SMC frog team makes nightly observations across 8 different sites in South Mountain Reservation. Why do we do this? Frogs and toads are indicator species. This means that they can tell us a lot about the health of an ecosystem and give us clues about potential changes in the landscape or climate. 

All participants must successfully complete a two-part training and commit to observing through the breeding season. You may work as a team or independently. Ages 12+ only and parents must accompany minors.

Training Dates and Details
Introduction to the Program: Tuesday, Jan 24th, 7:30-8:30 pm
Take & Pass the Test: Tuesday, Jan 31st, 7:30-8:15 pm 
Location: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, Short Hills
***Returning participants must repeat the test.*** 

If you are interested in becoming a Frog Team Member please RSVP to citizenscience@somocon.org!
Wildflower Sculpture Park News

Joanne Beckerich joins the Wildflower Sculpture Park team where she will liaise with artists and oversee events alongside Lisa Sanders.

Joanne Beckerich studied Horticulture and Environmental Planning at Rutgers, and has worked as a horticulturist for New York State Parks and Cornell Cooperative Extension, and as a landscape designer. Before that, she did display and exhibit design in NYC and managed a health food store.

Joanne has been an active board member with the Maplewood Garden Club for 25 years, initiating community projects and organizing their yearly plant sale. She is currently the coordinator for publicity and adult programs for the Maplewood Library. 

Her personal connection to the Wildflower Sculpture Park is her late husband Eric’s sculpture, The Essex Column, which is on permanent exhibit.
SMR Closing for Essex Country Deer Management Program
The Reservation will be closed all Tuesdays in January and most in February. Please be advised and plan accordingly. 
Hiking Program
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 winter forest! Enjoy the crisp air and long views through the trees 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. 
Eventbrite Registration
Would you like to get involved, schedule a program
or have an idea to share?

We'd love to hear from you!

Citizen Science: Lori LaBorde, citizenscience@somocon.org
Chainsaw Gang: David Berry, chainsawgang@somocon.org
Forest Regeneration: Christy Zolty, forestregen@somocon.org
Hikes: Bobbette Clarke, hikes@somocon.org
Trailkeepers: Dennis Percher, trailkeepers@somocon.org
Trail Work Crew: Dennis Percher & John Verzani, trailwork@somocon.org
Trash Tacklers and Plogging: David Berry & Amber Benezra, trashtacklers@somocon.org
Wildflower Sculpture Park Curator: Lisa Sanders, wspcurator@somocon.org
Operations Director: Penni Malakates, opsdirector@somocon.org

preserve, protect, restore

SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION
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