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Registration is open for the Family Campout
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Families with young children are invited to register for the
9th Annual SMR Family Campout!
Dates: October 7th - 8th, noon to noon!
(Rain dates: Oct 14-15)
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This award-winning program, run by the volunteers of the South Mountain Conservancy, will be based out of Summit Field in Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation. The event is co-sponsored with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, and features nature games, animal exhibits from Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo, guided hikes, kids’ exploration and crafts, live music, a campfire with stories, morning meditation & yoga, and a Sunday breakfast.
Activities are designed for children ages 4 through 11.
Cost:
- $60 per family (one or two adults (21+) and up to four children)
- This fee does not include an SMC membership, which we strongly encourage. (If you join for $25 at this time, you will receive the new 2023 SMR map which normally is only provided with $50 memberships.)
- If you are limited financially, we offer a limited number of subsidized registrations for $15. If you are interested in this reduced fee. contact familycampout@somocon.org,
- Space is limited to 55 families
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Pollinator Meadow Restoration Project Update
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Phase One is Complete!
Thanks to our many dedicated volunteers, we are proud to report that phase one of the Pollinator Meadow Restoration Project is now complete! Lori LaBorde of the Citizen Science team hosted 16 volunteer days this summer (4 in June, 7 in July, and 5 in August) totaling approximately 385 volunteer hours, with about 20 of those being returning volunteers. Thank you to all our amazing volunteers who contributed lots of sweat, got dity with us and helped lay the plastic for this important first phase of the project!
We will celebrate you all soon with a dedicated thank you happy hour this fall! Stay tuned!
Click here to see the progress so far in a timelapse video from our Chronolog station: CHRONOLOG SMC-101
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Wildflower Sculpture Park seeks Curator
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Join the Wildflower Sculpture Park Team!
The Conservancy is seeking new leadership for the Wildflower Sculpture Park (WSP) to continue celebrating art in the South Mountain Reservation and the wider community. The program, run by the SMC with support from Essex County Parks, was created in 2012. Located beside the Dog Park and inside the Wildflower and Forest Preserve, the WSP presently has 16 permanent exhibits and four on loan. As the current curator, Lisa Sanders, is leaving the state, we are looking for a new volunteer Curator . This person should have art experience, knowledge of the regional art community and a vision for new acquisitions and management of all art installations. We are also seeking an expanded support team to help with grants and fundraising, and communications and marketing via social media, etc. If interested, or for more information, contact sculpturepark@somocon.org.
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New Trash Tackler Program
Co-Coordinator Appointed!
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 Tenisha Malcolm-Wint is our newest Program Co-Cordinator, joining Priya Patel to manage our Trash Tackling program in the South Mountain Reservation.
Tenisha is the Founder & Chief Outdoor Experience Officer (COEO) of Outdoors On Purpose (OOP), a hike community, developed to encourage all people to find respite and joy in the outdoors with particular emphasis on engaging Black & Brown folx. OOP’s mission is to create unique and memorable experiences for individuals and promote the relationships between people and nature.
Tenisha dedicates countless hours of her time, talent and resources to several nonprofits and service groups throughout the tri-state area and in the Caribbean. Welcome Tenisha!
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Chronologs Installed in the Reservation
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We've got two exciting additions to our Citizen Science Program at South Mountain Conservancy-- brand new Chronolog stations!
Chronologs offer a fun way for everyone to participate in tracking the changes of the seasons, the growth of the meadows and the progress of our projects.
You can find one Chronolog station inside the Wildflower & Forest Preserve at our Wildflower Meadow. The other can be found at the Pollinator Meadow Restoration Project near Shady Nook. To use our Chronologs simply place your phone in the bracket, snap a photo, and email it using the instructions on the sign. Over time, this collective effort will help create a time-lapse video to track environmental changes in South Mountain Reservation.
Go find one of our stations and add your first image! |
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Hiking Program - Fall on the Trail!
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South Mountain Conservancy is pleased to offer free, guided hikes all through the autumn months! Give yourself the gift of wellness and join our experienced hike leaders for a lovely hike. See Eventbrite for full details.
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Active SMC Members receive early bird access to hikes; non-members may register one week in advance. To become a 2023 Member please visit our Membership Page.
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Sunday, September 17th, 9am to 12pm
This month we will be revisiting the West Falls Parking Connector, a trail we built initially two years ago. Now that actual work on the parking area is being done, we want to fix up the access trail.
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Meet at the maintenance area off South Orange Avenue, just east of Brookside Drive. See Meetup link for more details and a map of meet up spot.
Trail work is physically challenging but very satisfying as we use hand tools to build and repair trails. Participants must be 15+ years. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should wear long pants due to ticks and sturdy shoes, and bring gloves (though backup gloves will be available). Tools, water, and a snack will be provided. (Registration is not required.)
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Forest Regeneration Work Day
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Sunday, September 17th, 9am - 11am
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. On workdays, 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 be on time as we will hike into the forest a little after 9 am.
Please dress appropriately! Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes or rain boots, bug spray, and layer as needed. We supply gloves and water.
For information, contact Program Coordinator Christy Zolty at forestregen@somocon.org
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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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