Photo credit: Taking Flight by Vanessa Hradsky
Dear Friend:
The past twelve months have been filled with new projects and new achievements for Friends of Princeton Open Space that advance our mission to preserve and care for open space, educate the public on environmental issues, and advocate for sound governmental decisions. Here’s some of what we’ve accomplished with your support.
At the very end of 2021, we and a coalition of the town and other nonprofits closed on the largest remaining undeveloped tract of land in Princeton, the 153-acre forest bounded by Province Line and Cherry Valley Roads. FOPOS played a lead role in securing State, County and private funding for this acquisition. We are continuing to work with the coalition to preserve substantial additional acreage in the coming year.
Our new, 25-acre riparian restoration project is extending the Mountain Lakes forest restoration’s ecosystem benefits, by removing invasive and planting native species along the shores of the upper and lower lakes and the banks of Mountain Brook and other streams. We expect to complete this project by the end of next year.
This spring we were selected by the Xerces Society to participate in its Pollinator Conservation Program. Once again, our volunteers and interns rallied to plant and care for 700 “plugs” of pollinator-supportive plants donated to us by Xerces, in the area bordering the drive into Mountain Lakes.
Another first this year was conducting several bird walks at Mountain Lakes led by very experienced birders, including one where the leaders commented in both English and Mandarin. We also conducted two more events in our “Communities of Color” series.
Our three paid interns and four student interns from Princeton University’s High Meadows Environmental Institute (another first) worked on continuing maintenance of the forest restoration area; developed metrics for measuring the success of ecological restoration actions; and helped with educational events for groups such as the Garden Club of Princeton and children in the YMCA’s summer camp.
We collaborated closely with the town Open Space Manager on various projects, including an application for one of the new Natural Climate Solutions grants administered by the NJDEP. The grant would be used to restore 45 acres of degraded forest at Community Park North, located immediately east of Mountain Lakes Preserve and across Route 206 from Princeton’s State-designated overburdened community. FOPOS funded a consultant and conducted necessary preliminary data gathering for this application, as well as drafting/preparing various sections of the proposal.
We’ve continued with traditional events like the REI Co-op-sponsored photography contest, whose winning photos will once again be exhibited at Small World, and Oktoberfest, our event to honor volunteers that was a great success despite some very unhelpful weather!
And we hope you will continue your support of FOPOS by renewing your membership, and recruiting a friend to be a Friend.
Warm regards,
Wendy L. Mager President