In the Newsletter this month:
- SMC Holiday Party at Cora Hartshorn Arboretum Thursday, Dec. 4th
- Trail Work Continues Through December: Lend a hand
- The Green Whale has landed: SMC Storage Container now in Place
- Keep your dog leashed: Beware of Coyotes and Poisonous Frogs
- Forest Regeneration News: Beech Leaf Disease and more
- Hikes Continue Plus New Child and Caregiver Hikes Added
- REALLY Like the Fairy Trail? We are still looking for a Co-Coordinator
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Save the Date - SMC Holiday Party!
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⛄South Mountain Conservancy Holiday Party⛄
Thursday, December 4th
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Short Hills
6-9 PM
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This annual fête brings together volunteers and community members from South Mountain Conservancy, Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Greenwood Gardens. We welcome you to register for this festive evening to toast all our hard work and look ahead to the new year!
Password: xxxxxxx
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Join Our Fall Trail S.W.A.T. Teams
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If you’ve noticed the trail upgrades across the Reservation, that’s thanks to our dedicated volunteers. Want to give back to the paths you love? Jump in with our S.W.A.T. (Special Work And Tools) teams this fall.
What we do
It’s good exercise, great camaraderie, and it keeps the Reservation welcoming for everyone.
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When we meet
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Wednesdays, 8:30–11:30 AM — Oct 1–Nov 12
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Saturdays, 8:30–11:30 AM — Oct 4–Nov 15
Typical meet-up: Dog Park parking lot at 8:30 AM. Come when you can—no need to attend every week.
RSVP (so we bring the right tools!)
Email Dave Berry at trailkeepers@somocon.org before each session.
Monthly Sunday Work Days continue
The last trail work day for 2025 is scheduled for December 7th.
Details & signup: Meetup.com/somocon (https://www.meetup.com/somocon/)
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The Green Whale Has Landed!
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Starting with a discussion and plan submitted to the County in June, and after many hours of hard work building a foundation, cleaning, and painting the “green whale” (see Photo Album), the Conservancy now has a secure space for long-term storage near the Wildflower Preserve and Dog Park.
This achievement was made possible through the great coordination of John Sowell (pictured at left), and the generosity of Mark Minnett of MTS Towing in Irvington, who donated the 8,000-pound container. We also extend our thanks to Ralph Ventre of Newark Paint and Wallpaper, also in Irvington, for providing the special paint, and to the County for their approval and the delivery of the gravel.
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Friendly Reminder to Dog Owners
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We all love enjoying the Reservation with our furry friends, but please remember to keep dogs on a leash—no longer than six feet—while out on the trails. This small act makes a big difference!
Last month, there were four coyote attacks in Bergen County and pickerel frogs (below), America’s only native poisonous frog, were spotted right here in the South Mountain Reservation. Their skin can be harmful if a dog tries to bite or play with them.
Keeping pups leashed also helps prevent them from jumping on children or scaring little ones who might be nervous around dogs. Plus, it protects our local wildlife—like deer, foxes, groundhogs, and turkeys—from being chased or stressed. Let’s all do our part to keep the Reservation safe and enjoyable for everyone—not only is it a good idea, it's the law.
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Forest Regeneration Updates
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The Forest Regeneration Team is working with the New York – New Jersey Trail Conference and the State DEP to study a possible “lingering Beech” tree in one of our deer exclosures. “Lingering Beech” trees are Beech Trees that appear healthy in spite of being surrounded by Beech trees that have succumbed to Beech Leaf Disease as have most of the Beech trees in the Reservation. Scientists are studying lingering Beech trees to see if they have resistance to the Disease. We were able to find a few of the seeds from the tree (a sign of its health), and we planted them in our raised bed nursery behind the sheds.
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The Forest Regen Team also partnered with Wild Woods Restoration Project in a native seed/plant exchange. We traded Yellow star grass (Hypoxis hirsuta) above, seeds for some Citronella horsebalm (Collinsonia canadensis) below left, and American spikenard (Aralia recemosa), below right, plants, both native pollinators that will be a welcome addition to the Wildflower Preserve. Yellow star grass is a common Spring and Summer wildflower you will often see along the Lenape Trail. The Yellow star grass plants will be part of a restoration project at Closter Nature Center.
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South Mountain Conservancy is pleased to offer free, guided hikes all through the year! See our Meetup page for schedule and signups:
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Child & Caregiver Hikes to be offered!
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The South Mountain Conservancy is partnering with local mom and hiker Alexandrie Adebayo to offer gentle hikes for caregivers of babies and young children. Join us for easy, child-led walks through the forest—an opportunity to connect with nature, move at your child’s pace, and meet other families who love the outdoors. Learn more and register HERE.
 Alexandrie is the founder of BlackHikersExplore, a community focused on encouraging black and brown people to engage in outdoor activities. Passionate about diversifying the outdoors, she curates and organizes group hiking events for adults as well as nature education programs for families. These programs help build a supportive environment and foster a blend of empowerment, adventure and reclaiming space.
Alexandrie is a first generation Haitian immigrant who grew up in New York. For the past decade, however she's called New Jersey home where she lives with her husband and two children. She's happiest outside-whether she's hiking, biking, swimming, or hosting a nature education program. She loves blending nature, creativity, and community, especially through family-friendly outdoor adventures.
SMC is proud to partner with Alexandrie and we hope young families will discover the joy of the forest this fall walking alongside her!
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Seeking new Fairy Trail Co-coordinator!
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Join the Fairy Trail Team!
The Fairy Trail is one of the most beloved places in the South Mountain Reservation—where children discover their first sense of forest wonder and families return again and again. Thousands visit each year, and it takes dedicated hands to keep that magic alive.
We’re seeking a Fairy Trail Program Coordinator to partner with longtime leader Beth Kelly. This volunteer role is about more than logistics—it’s about stewarding a community treasure. If you love organizing, connecting with families, and caring for the forest, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.
If you’ve ever wanted to give back to the Reservation in a meaningful, creative way, this is it.
Interested? Email fairytrail@somocon.org to receive the full role description.
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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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