PRESERVATION OF 90 ACRES ON HERRONTOWN ROAD
We look forward to a closing on another critical large tract on the Princeton Ridge – 90 acres on the north side of Herrontown Road, adjacent to Herrontown Woods Preserve. Friends of Princeton Open Space is contributing $390,000 of State Green Acres grant funding plus a private gift of $1 million towards the acquisition of this land, which was subject to intense development pressure before a preservation agreement was reached with the Municipality, FOPOS, and other non-profit partners. State grants to the consortium, County grants to the Municipality, our local open space tax and other private funds are all helping secure this important link in the forested tracts on Princeton’s perimeter, which provide important environmental services such as slowing stormwater runoff and habitat for threatened species.
RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECT: BASELINE DATA COLLECTION
Our stewardship team, along with board member and Rutgers Environmental Steward (RES) Peter Green, has collected forest and botanical data to serve as a baseline for habitat restoration along riparian areas of Mountain Lakes. Peter created a map of the transects we are surveying, and we have our initial findings from this spring regarding native vs invasive plant cover. The 25-acre project has been undertaken by FOPOS with support from NJDEP Green Acres Stewardship grant funds, the Garden Club of New Jersey, Washington Crossing Audubon, and the Municipality of Princeton. The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate riparian areas that provide critical wildlife habitat, protect lake and stream banks from erosion, slow and store stormwater, and filter pollutants from runoff.
MEET OUR LAND STEWARD INTERNS: CONSERVATION IN ACTION
We are proud to introduce you to the Friends of Princeton Open Space Land Steward Interns for the summer of 2024 – Claire Lignac, Sari Pehnke, and Grace Terrell. Under the guidance of Anna Corichi, FOPOS’s Director of Natural Resources and Stewardship, our interns have been engaged in hands-on conservation, stewardship, and educational initiatives at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. This summer, their efforts will extend to ecological monitoring projects, supporting FOPOS’s commitment to sustainable land management practices. FOPOS also supports internships for high school students through the Outdoor Equity Alliance and Princeton’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Learn more: fopos.org/land-steward-internship.
FORAGING AS STEWARDSHIP
In our “Foraging as Stewardship” event series, volunteers removed from the Preserve invasive plants that also have culinary uses. In April, volunteers learned about the impact of garlic mustard on vital soil fungi, sampled garlic mustard pesto pasta salad, and then removed this invasive plant by the bagful. Our focus shifted to removing invasive Dame’s Rocket from our pollinator garden in May. Participants created Dame’s Rocket flower bouquets and sampled sautéed greens. In June we removed invasive mugwort, known for its persistent root system, and then indulged in a unique treat of Mugwort twist donuts! Despite the heat wave, we did our part to manage the abundant and invasive wineberry, and sampled jam made from the berries. Thank you to our local foraging experts Matt and Shannon for imparting practical knowledge and developing delicious recipes.
Volunteers with invasive Dame’s Rocket
AVIAN BIODIVERSITY AT BILLY JOHNSON MOUNTAIN LAKES NATURE PRESERVE
Our Spring Bird Walk series, led by expert birder and FOPOS board member Winnie Hughes Spar, showcased the stunning diversity of birds at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. In April, we marveled at raptors like the Sharp-shinned Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, alongside Osprey and Bald Eagle. Early migrants like Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers added to the day’s delight. In May, we spotted Great Blue Heron, Eastern Towhee, and Baltimore Oriole. During our June walk, we observed summer nesting birds including Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, Green Heron, and a mother Wood Duck with two ducklings. At the very end of the walk, a Willow Flycatcher, which we had searched for in vain, decided to perch out in the open on a small tree by the lake. Join FOPOS and Winnie Hughes Spar for an upcoming fall Bird Walk! Register for our programs at fopos.org/events-programs
Photo: Bill Schweber
EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY
On Earth Day, we welcomed over 150 community members and corporate volunteers from Apple Stores and Tata Consultancy Services, making it our most successful Earth Day cleanup yet! As the Earth Day Stewardship Week continued, teams of volunteers from Princeton Day School, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Wuxi Biologics, and KSS Architects joined us to combat invasive species, removing garlic mustard from active project sites and clearing thorny invasive plants and vines from an impressive 8-acre area within the forest restoration site. The impact of their stewardship efforts was substantial, with a remarkable 430 volunteer hours logged across the entire week of Earth Day contributing to our tally of over 1,000 volunteer hours logged in 2024! We are grateful to our volunteers and committed to forging partnerships to enhance land stewardship efforts. Celebrate Earth Day, Every Day by joining us at our next volunteer session, or schedule a volunteer session for your corporate or community group!
FOPOS Director, Natural Resources and Stewardship Anna Corichi & Earth Day volunteers
BUILDING BRIDGES AND BLAZING TRAILS
After many months of hard work, our trails team successfully rebuilt Footbridge B, which was damaged during Tropical Storm Ida. We deeply appreciate their teamwork and the time they dedicated to this project. More bridge rebuilding is planned; we invite volunteers to join our trails team to clear paths, maintain stream crossings, and enhance access to the over eight miles of hiking trails in the Mountain Lakes Open Space Area. Email us at info@fopos.org to become a member of the team!
FOPOS Trails Team Members (from left) Corky Smith, Mike Timmons, Fiorello Ieva, Peter Green, and Tom Schorr.
DONATE A TREE
The Friends of Princeton Open Space is committed to planting over 6,500 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers within riparian zones at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Help us restore the lakeshore by donating a tree today! Visit fopos.org/donate-a-tree
ENTER NOW! PERSPECTIVES ON PRESERVATION PHOTO CONTEST
Now in its ninth year, our annual photo contest showcases the diverse forms of beauty found in the Mountain Lakes Open Space Area. Photographers are invited to submit photos by September 8, 2024, taken at any time of year during the past three years. For contest rules and details, visit fopos.org/perspectives-photo-contest
YOU’RE INVITED! FOPOS FALL FEST FUNDRAISER ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6TH
We invite you to join us for FOPOS FALL FEST! Enjoy local craft beer, plant-based fall food, live music, and nature-themed activities for all ages in the beautiful setting of the Mountain Lakes House, overlooking the lake at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton, NJ. Funds raised support paid summer internships for high school and college students. Tickets are now on sale HERE.
