The Forest Regeneration Corps is a group of volunteers and paid summer interns that maintain and enhance the flora and infrastructure of the 14-acre Wildflower and Forest Preserve and many of the 41 smaller regeneration sites distributed throughout the Reservation. It is overseen by two program coordinators, Christy Zolty and Rich Rockwell. To contact them, email forestregen@somocon.org.
Each year, the Forest Regeneration Corps works to restore the 14-acre preserve (located behind the Dog Park) by removing invasive plant species and planting native species. Individual volunteers, community, corporate, and environmental groups have all volunteered. For more than a decade these groups have contributed thousands of hours to maintain the Preserve and other forest regeneration sites as part of our Adopt-a-Regeneration-Site program.
In 2022, the Forest Regeneration program completed a set of Preserve Plant Identification Maps. Permanent tags will be installed in 2024.
The 14-acre Wildflower and Forest Preserve and other smaller regeneration sites, were constructed in 2008 as part of a 20 year program to restore the understory and ecology of the South Mountain Reservation, by protecting native plants from being over browsed by the high deer populations. In addition to its role in forest restoration, the Preserve serves as a destination to educate and engage people of all ages. With a simple trail system; informative signage regarding woodland, vernal pond, and meadow ecosystems; information on various trees and shrubs; and artwork from the Wildflower Sculpture Park, the Wildflower and Forest Preserve is a special destination in the park.
Maintenance on deer exclosures
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
A major knotweed remediation project
Wildflower Preserve Volunteering
Prior to the pandemic, open public programs were generally held the third Sunday of each month, 9:00 to 12:30, April through November. Though this is no longer safe due to the coronavirus, we have been working in small, select groups and with community groups.
Adopt-a-Regeneration-Site Program
Community groups are encouraged to take on maintenance of one of the 41 forest regeneration sites in the reservation to spur forest restoration. The role of a group is to monitor and remove invasive species and plant new native ones at one of the sites, and provide work and status reports about every two months, March through December. SMC provides basic instruction and tools, ongoing consultation and some plants to install.
Forest Regeneration Fencing Team
The SMC and its “Fencing Team” repairs the perimeters of the 41 regeneration sites. These are continually damaged from falling trees, especially after large storms. Several Eagle Scout projects have been involved in repairing these fences.
For more information on any of these programs email forestregen@somocon.org.
Ecological Studies of the Reservation
Every few years, Essex County Parks contracts with forest ecologist Michael Van Clef to undertake a study of the health of the reservation. These were done in 2014, 2020 and 2023. For 2024, the SMC has contracted with Van Clef and the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team to comprehensively study invasive plants in the Reservation and develop a ten-year action plan for the most severe problems.
SMR_ERR_HR_Forest_Health_Report_2023_08_25
SMR_Forest_Regeneration_Site_Evaluation_Report_2020_12_10
SMR Forest Regeneration Site Evaluation Report, Fall 2014
Background Information
For more detailed information and the preserve and the importance of forest regeneration, see:
Background and history of the Preserve
Why forest regeneration is needed in SMR