In the Newsletter this month:
- Annual Public Meeting set for Wednesday, March 11th
- SMR Deer Management Program on until February 17th
- Registration Open for May 16th Mayapple Trail Runs
- Open Spaces Honor Bestowed on SMR
- Tulip Springs Reopened!
- Welcome new SMC Board Member Gabe Elias!
- Membership Committee Takes Shape - Join us!
- February is American Heart Month! ❤️ Special hike: 2/14
|
|
|
Save the Date - Annual Public Meeting
|
|
|
|
Join us at our Annual Public Meeting to learn about the Conservancy's accomplishments and 2026 programs directly from the program coordinators and discover how you can get involved and volunteer.
Representatives from Trash Tackers, Trailkeepers, Chainsaw Gang, Citizen Science, Hiking and Fairy Trails, as well as board members, will be available to answer questions and share plans for the upcoming season.
Featured Speaker: Don Weise of the NY-NJ Trail Conference will speak on "Great Hikes and Less-Traveled Trails in North Jersey." Find out about new places to explore away from the beaten path! Don has extensive experience as a hiker and runner and just completed a new book on Circuit Hikes in Harriman.
This meeting is free and open to all. Join us!
RSVP is not required but appreciated!
|
|
|
Deer Management Continues
Tuesdays in February
|
|
|
Note: Due to the recent snowstorm, a makeup day is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th.
|
|
|
Like the challenge of trail running, or want to help out at this exciting annual fundraising event?
Register and learn more HERE.
|
|
|
SMR Honored as a Great Public Space
|
|
|
|
South Mountain Reservation was designated a Great Public Space as part of the 2025 New Jersey Planning Excellence and Great Places Awards on December 16, 2025. Awarded by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association at South Orange’s SOPAC, the Great Places in New Jersey program celebrates downtowns, public spaces, streets, and neighborhoods of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Since 2012, fifty-six locations have been designated.
The nomination—submitted by the Essex County’s Planning Director David Antonio—cited the reservation's enduring power of landscape architecture and shared public space. Often described as a “green island amid a sea of urbanization,” it noted its rare balance of accessibility and wilderness—inviting exploration, reflection, and connection, characteristics that embody Olmsted’s timeless belief that access to nature is essential to public life and well-being.
Photo above: Dennis Percher, SMC Chair, speaking at the ceremony, with John Verzani, SMC Vice Chair (L), and Caitlin Sharp, Program Coordinator at the Essex County Parks Department.
|
|
|
Tulip Springs Renovated and Reopened!
|
|
|
| On Nov. 3rd, after six months of construction, Essex County Executive Joe DiVinzenzo and the Parks Department formally reopened the renovated Tulip Springs picnic area. The $1.6 million project features a large, open-air picnic pavilion with more grills and tables, and an improved parking lot and walking paths and pedestrian bridge over the Rahway River. With new lighting and self-cleaning comfort stations and water fountains, the renovation is a pilot project for other Essex County Parks. |
|
|
|
Meet our New Board Member: Gabe Elias
|
|
|
|
Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, Gabe discovered an appreciation for the outdoors during graduate school at University of California at Irvine. Easy access to mountains, deserts and beaches offered near endless opportunities to explore the beauty of nature and learn the importance of conservation. Gabe completed his PhD in Neuroscience in 2015 and recently moved to Millburn with his family in 2023 to join Rutgers University at Newark as a Research Associate.
Living by the reservation, it quickly became a part of his family's life. You may spot him heading home from the train station through Locust Grove or hiking out to Hemlock Falls for a family picnic (his daughter's favorite spot). After hearing about the Conservancy, he quickly turned from just a visitor into a dedicated volunteer. Since his first event, the 2024 SMC annual public meeting, Gabe has been a regular at the Saturday SWAT and monthly workdays and became a Trail Keeper for the Turtleback Bypass and Turtleback Connector trails. He also volunteers with the Jolly Rovers trail crew who specialize in natural stonework and backcountry stone step installation.
In joining the board, Gabe is looking forward to helping manage the amazing trail system and promoting the wonders of the reservation. Welcome aboard, Gabe!
|
|
|
Membership Committee Open Call
|
|
|
|
South Mountain Conservancy is forming a Membership Committee—and we’re looking for a few friendly, engaged people to help us grow our community.
This is a flexible group and time-commitment. You can contribute in ways that fit your schedule—sharing ideas, making introductions, helping with outreach, or simply lending your voice now and then. No fundraising experience required, just a love for the Reservation and an interest in helping others connect to it.
If you hike, volunteer, bring your kids, admire the art, or find peace on the trails, this is an easy, meaningful way to get involved.
📧 Interested? Email Penni Malakates at opsdirector@somocon.org
|
|
February is American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, every 34 seconds, heart disease claims another life. Each year we organize a special hike to bring awareness. Join us for a hike on February 14th geared towards the 50+ year old community! We will be discussing common warning symptoms of a heart attack, difference between cardiac arrest and attack and ways of staying active to prevent heart disease.
South Mountain Conservancy is pleased to offer free, guided hikes all through the year! See our Meetup page for schedule and signups:
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
