Tom Pollard has had a lifelong passion for plants, ecology, and biology, which led him to earn degrees in Biology and Chemistry. After spending much of his career in drug discovery software, Tom now works as a software engineer at MSK Cancer Center.

A South Orange resident for 25 years, Tom and his wife raised their two children here. He’s been an active member of the community, coaching soccer and serving as assistant Scoutmaster for his son’s Boy Scout troop.

Tom’s involvement with the South Mountain Conservancy began in 2019 during the Essex County Bioblitz and Lori’s Frogwatch program. Since then, he has become a regular volunteer, contributing to Forest Regeneration efforts, trail maintenance, and fence repairs.

In addition to his volunteer work, Tom embraced iNaturalist in 2018, using the platform to track his nature observations and engage with fellow nature enthusiasts. He created and maintains several iNaturalist projects for the Reservation and contributed to the Flora and Fauna pages on the Conservancy’s website.

We’re excited to announce that Tom will be taking on a new role as Forest Regeneration Program Co-Coordinator alongside Rich Rockwell where he will continue to help protect and restore the natural beauty of South Mountain Reservation.

We’re excited to share an update on the incredible trail work completed this spring! Thanks to the dedication of our SWAT trail crew and the volunteers who joined us for the April, May, and June monthly workdays, we’ve made significant improvements across the South Mountain Reservation trail network.

Their hard work has enhanced sections of the Elmdale, Oakdale, Lower Turtle Back, Zoo Loop, Lower Rahway Extension, Lenape (between Balls Bluff and Openwood Trail), NW Dogwood Connector, and River trails—making them more sustainable and enjoyable for all.

A special shout-out goes to John Martinko and his Eagle Scout project team for constructing eight water bars on the West Ridge Trail. Their contribution plays a crucial role in preventing erosion and preserving trail quality.
 

Get Involved with Trail Work!

If you enjoy hiking our trails and want to help care for them, consider joining one of our group trail work days. Our monthly trail work teams generally meet on the first Sunday morning of each month through December 7. 

The next date, however, is THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST,  August 10th to work around vacations. 

It’s a great way to give back, spend time outdoors, and meet others who care about our park.
 

To sign up for a trail work day, visit our Meetup page: https://www.meetup.com/somocon/

Wonder Women 13: Artist Residency Spotlight
This spring, the WSP launched its first-ever eight-week artist residency program. The selected artists gathered at The Baird and within the Wildflower Sculpture Park to develop temporary installations.
Meet the creators: Gwen Charles, Elainne Diaz, Hao Feng, Melissa Mac Alpin, Anne Percoco, Stephanie Romano, Linda Stricher, and Aggy Wszolkowska.

Stay tuned—detailed project descriptions and event dates are coming soon. In the meantime, follow @wildflowersculpture on Instagram for behind-the-scenes peeks and residency updates!

The Conservancy Ambassador Program (CAP) is a volunteer initiative designed to build a dedicated team  who engage with the public as guides, educators, and advocates for the South Mountain Conservancy’s mission. Volunteers must be 18+. Learn about how to promote the Conservancy and apply here: CAP