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SMC 25th Anniversay Celebration!
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To celebrate the 25 years of caring for and engaging people with the Reservation, the Conservancy is holding a celebration at South Orange’s newly
reconstructed Baird Center on Saturday, October 26th from 7 to 10 p.m. The catered buffet dinner will feature the jazz trio, Blue Sphere, led by local keyboardist Bill Tally, a silent auction, a slide show of scenic places in the reservation, contests, and much more. Details to follow.
But wait, there’s more! You can help us prepare for this program in two ways. First, we will be having a “Hidden Places in the Reservation” identification contest. You can help by sending photos of places in the reservation that are not well known, or well-known but from an unusual perspective. (These should not be too obscure; they should be specific and identifiable, challenging but not impossible!) Please email your submissions to conservancygala@somocon.org. In the subject line write “Hidden Places.” In the body, please indicate the trail or location and the map cell, for example: Lenape Trail, C-5; or Ball’s Bluff, D-7.
Second, we are collecting photos for a slideshow of people, places and events from the Conservancy’s history and the reservation. Again, please send these to conservancygala@somocon.org with the subject line “Slide Show.”
Your contributions will help make this a fun event!
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Wildflower Sculpture Park
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Join us for a Fall Reception to toast 2024’s three new additions to the Wildflower Sculpture Park! The Wildflower Sculpture Park was established in 2012 as a program of the South Mountain Conservancy in collaboration with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Its mission is to create meaningful arts and education experiences with and for the community through the installation, exhibition and interpretation of public art, primarily sculpture.
This year we add three new artists to our curatorial program:
Eileen Ferara
Wendell Jeffrey
Amanda Thackray
Opening Reception: 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏, 𝟒-𝟔𝐩𝐦
Come meet the artists and experience their exciting site-specific installations at the WSP! Learn about their work and practice and enjoy a fall reception with us in the forest.
We look forward to seeing you there! Email wspcurator@somocon.org with any questions. |
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Join a Forest Regeneration Work Day!
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Christy Zolty, who has been involved with Forest Regeneration for six years and coordinating the program since August 2024, has moved out of the area. We are most thankful for all her great work in maintaining the Wildflower and Forest Preserve. She was responsible for recruiting and overseeing Forest Regeneration summer interns, our monthly volunteer public events and numerous community groups. We will miss her enthusiasm, hard work and expertise.
Christy's responsibilities have been picked up by Rich Rockwell who has been co-coordinator for the past two years.
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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. 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 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 11 Bear Lane, Maplewood, NJ. Please be on time as we will hike to the forest by 9am.
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Join a Trail Work Work Day!
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SWAT teams will start up in October and go through November. There will be Wednesday morning and Saturday morning dates to be announced. Get on the SWAT team interest email list and you will be contacted weekly in October and November with details for each work session. Contact Dave Berry at trailkeepers@somocon.org to get on the list.
This year our Monthly Trailwork and SWAT (Special Work and Tools) trail maintenance teams have been busy improving many of our Reservation's hiking trails. The teams' efforts have the goal of moving water quickly off the trails so that there are no muddy or pooled water trail sections.
So far this year our teams were able to improve sections of Lenape (yellow), Zoo Loop (green dot), Swampy (red), Elmdale (blue), Turtle Back Connector, and Upper Turtle Back trails. Check out these trails to see the results. We hope that you have noticed these improvements and appreciate the hard work our volunteers did to make them. Would you like to give back and continue improving the trails that you love to hike on? If you are physically able, we'd love to have you join our Monthly Trailwork and SWAT Trail maintenance teams. It's great exercise and camaraderie.
There is no requirement to come every time. Come when you can!
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Seeking new Trash Tackler Program Coordinator!
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Do you hate trash? But also kind of love trash? But actually really, really hate trash? Then we need you! The South Mountain Conservancy is looking for a volunteer to join our Trash Tackler team as a Program Coordinator under the tutelage of Dave Berry.
Trash Tacklers is a key part of SMC's stewardship. Last year, 20 community groups and seven individuals removed over 200 bags of trash from the reservation and -- with the reservation being so popular -- there is ALWAYS more work to do! We are seeking an additional program coordinator to help oversee these volunteers.
We believe that volunteering is a fulfilling and meaningful way to give back to the community and make a positive impact. If this is you, please reach out to us at trashtacklers@somocon.org for a full description of the role.
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The 10th South Mountain Reservation Campout SOLD OUT in just five days!
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This popular SMC event will be back on September 28 & 29, 2024 in the reservation. We will host over 60 families with young children and enjoy the forest together with hikes, fairy houses, a scavenger hunt and more!
Please note that the wait list is currently open for this event. Please see the website for details on how your family can be added to the list: CAMPOUT WAITLIST DETAILS.
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Blaze your way through the woods in our new 2024 Campout merch! Your purchase helps support the Campout and all the programming the South Mountain Conservancy offers throughout the year!
All orders must be placed by September 11th and can be picked up at the Registration Table at Campout check-in.
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Hike Registration on Meetup
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Summer hikers enjoying the trail.
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Local high school student, Lia Giger is offering hand-lettered note cards to support the Conservancy. This year alone she has raised over $300 with her efforts! Lia says, "my love for hiking and the outdoors started in the Reservation, and I have been spending time there since I was little. I’m so happy I can support the Conservancy with my art and your help!"
Buy your note cards here and support the South Mountain Conservancy!
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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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