FOPOS interns and volunteers working along the shore of Mountain Lake
Dear Friend:
Over the past twelve months, Friends of Princeton Open Space has focused on ecological restoration projects and on educating the next generation of conservationists, including those from communities of color. We are happy to report that, with your support, we have chalked up major successes.
FOPOS has continued our important work on the forest restoration and riparian (lakeshore and stream banks) restoration projects at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Green Acres notified us of a $124,500 matching stewardship grant for the riparian restoration project last spring; the match will be achieved through the value of the work of our volunteers, donations from our members, and gifts from corporations and foundations. Over1,125 volunteer hours have been contributed to the project in the past year. We also received a $250,000 matching grant from Green Acres for land acquisition of properties on which negotiations, led by the Municipality, continue. And we received a third $2,000 grant from the Garden Club of America’s Partners for Plants program, which brings members of the Garden Club of Princeton to Mountain Lakes to learn about native species, to collect and propagate their seed, and to plant the resulting plants.
Our collaboration with the town on its application to the State for Natural Climate Solutions funding proved fruitful when DEP announced a $550,000 grant for the restoration of 45 acres of degraded forest at Community Park North. Since then, we’ve assisted the town with preliminary work so that contracts can be awarded in 2024. FOPOS volunteers and board members will remove invasive species from the stream
corridors, plant native species, and assist in monitoring and repairing a deer-enclosure fence to protect new shrubs and trees. The project will result in a total of 120 acres of contiguous restored open space in the greater Mountain Lakes area, which can help native plants rebound in adjacent parkland.
We used Holden Grant funds to expand the pollinator garden at the entrance to Mountain Lakes Preserve, adding over 250 native plants including some large ball-and-burlap trees and shrubs. Hundreds of wildflowers and ferns were planted to establish a native ground cover and to increase habitat value and beauty. These include bluebells, sensitive fern, and cardinal flowers in wet wooded areas, as well as wild columbine, native geraniums, and Jacob’s ladder in sunny borders. The pollinator garden was used as a demonstration site for an educational native plant how-to session for a Sustainable Princeton STAR neighborhood group last spring, led by our Director of Natural Resources and Stewardship, Anna Corichi.
Our long-term effort to gain public access to the private open space bounded by Cherry Hill, Ridgeview, and Cherry Valley Roads is almost complete, and will result in 35 acres of new parkland with terrific trails that have been worked on by local students led by Trish Shanley. We hope for a grand opening next spring. Another longer-term project has been repairing the footbridges at the southern end of Mountain Lakes Preserve.
With final plans from the Engineering Department, construction by volunteers has started on the new decks for “Bridge B,” with work on “Bridge A” next. Other building projects: the Trails Committee finished the stone path leading to the footbridge at the northeast corner of Mountain Lake, and will have totally rebuilt the deer exclosure next to the Mountain Lakes House parking lot after one more session with dedicated volunteers from REI Co-op.
We’ve continued and expanded our community events and outreach this year, with 36 weekend volunteer sessions; weekday stewardship sessions for school and corporate groups; more expert-led bird walks; Communities of Color retreats; yoga on the lawn; our annual photography contest: and an evening screech owl walk led by South Jersey Nature Tours. Our paid 2023 interns were a diverse group, with three of college age, and two high-school interns who came to us through a collaboration with the Outdoor Equity Alliance. The interns led a variety of events, including two herpetofauna walks, an art walk, and a guided lake-loop nature walk showcasing a family of wood ducks, green herons, an osprey, basking turtles and more. They also led nature-oriented games and projects for young children at our very successful, family-oriented Fall Fest event.
We are grateful for the support of our members and hope you will continue to help us do this important work. Please renew your membership and recruit a friend to be a Friend!
Warm regards,
Wendy L. Mager
President