Dear Friend,
In response to the pandemic, people are finding solace in nature, healthy outdoor exercise and relief from the pressures of limited social life in our Princeton open spaces. Use of our “home park,” the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, has exponentially increased. In response, with the help of member contributions, we have improved trail markings to inform park users of designated bike trails and town rules regarding leashing dogs. We have also repaired footbridges and installed new stone crossings of wet areas.
Since last March, nearly 3,000 bare-root trees and containerized shrubs have been planted, mulched and watered by volunteers, board members and our Natural Resource Manager – all in groups of ten or fewer with masks and social distancing. We included eight large third-generation, blight-resistant American chestnuts in order to help bring back a tree that once dominated forests in the eastern United States. All eight are flourishing, and the survival rate of the other plantings has been very encouraging. The remaining 5,000 herbaceous perennials that are part of our 18-acre forest restoration project will be planted early next spring.
Enhancing the experience of walking in the Mountain Lakes Preserve are two sculptures in stones, one of a white oak leaf and one of an American chestnut leaf, created by our artist-in-residence, Susan Hoenig. These pieces, partly funded by a grant from the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission, are complemented by the exhibition “Wetland to Woodland” at the Princeton Public Library with works by Susan and Mary Waltham.
American Chestnut Leaf Sculpture by FOPOS artist-in-residence, Susan Hoenig
In April, we succeeded in acquiring a parcel of land that is important because it contains headwaters of Mountain Brook, which feeds into Mountain Lake. Our partners in this project were the Watershed Institute and the Ridgeview Conservancy, with support from the Municipality of Princeton, the State Green Acres program, Mercer County and D&R Greenway. Working with the Environmental Commission, we are developing a map-plan for future acquisitions that is focused on climate change resiliency and linking existing green spaces. We’ve also continued environmental collaborations with Sustainable Princeton and the Garden Club of Princeton.
Our Natural Resources Manager, Anna Corichi, continues to recruit new people to join with her and our two Rutgers Environmental Stewards to remove invasive species. Most recently, Anna started a “Stop the Stilt” campaign to remove a profusion of Japanese stiltgrass before it can seed and smother native species. We also have hired contractors to remove invasive yellow iris from the lakeside and porcelain berry from the banks of Mountain Brook. Invasive kousa dogwoods have been removed and replaced with native dogwoods, and we are preparing to remove invasive cork trees near Mountain Lakes House.
With assistance from a Princeton High School student, we have prepared an educational book that describes 35 native species we have planted in the restoration project, including pictures of their leaves, fruit and flowers and descriptions of their benefits to humans, birds, insects and mammals. We are working in partnership with the Outdoor Equity Alliance of Mercer County and other parties to develop programs focused on making sure people of color feel not only welcome but invited to Princeton’s open spaces. We look forward to the time when we can resume our educational programming with the YMCA and school groups.
In early August, Tropical Storm Isaias hit our area and our all-volunteer trails crew struck back, clearing debris in Community Park North, Woodfield Reservation and John Witherspoon Woods, as well as in Mountain Lakes Preserve. Where fallen trees were too large or dangerous for volunteers to tackle, we flagged and mapped them and worked with the Princeton Public Works Department to clear them away.
We hope you enjoyed our open spaces on OptOutside Friday, November 27. In lieu of our usual open house, we provided a link to trail maps and a nature art activity for families and small groups, not only at the Mountain Lakes Preserve, but also at the Woodfield Reservation, John Witherspoon Woods and along the Stony Brook stream. Also, on November 27, we announced the kick-off to our annual Give Thanks For Nature Photo Contest, co-sponsored by REI. In response to the pandemic, we converted an exhibition of 2019 contest photos from an in-person show at the Arts Council of Princeton to a virtual exhibition on our website.
Morning walk on the lake by Leo Zhelnin
With your support, we have accomplished a great deal, despite the challenges of a pandemic that profoundly affects us all. Thank you for valuing the importance of nature and open space. We are grateful for your friendship and hope you will continue by supporting FOPOS with a gift of ANY amount.
And, please remember to recruit a friend.
Best regards,
Wendy L. Mager, President