South Branch Preserve Restoration Project Update- Week 6

Restoration of the former Rezamir Estates property in Mount Olive, now the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site owned by The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, is progressing smoothly as the sixth week of the project comes to a close. Various preliminary projects are in the process of wrapping up and we are beginning to move on to the next steps of the restoration. The construction phase is set to end on September 30th, only a few short weeks away.

One of the former detention basins has been completely filled in and graded. A series of seven vernal ponds have been installed in its place, which are already abundant in wildlife! It will soon be seeded and replanted with native vegetation, restoring its natural identity that was taken away when the site was subdivided and partially developed for 16 single-family homes in 2004. The other detention basin is on the verge of being completely filled and graded. It will take the same path as the latter basin with the installation of vernal ponds, and eventually become a lively grassy meadow.

Here, you can see the second detention basin being filled in with soil.

Planting of the vernal ponds has begun.

A frog enjoying the sun in one of the new vernal ponds.

The installation of deer fencing is progressing as well. This fencing will keep deer off the property as the newly planted vegetation grows. Deer grazing can have a detrimental effect on the landscape and hinder restoration efforts at the Preserve. 8,960 feet of fencing and 400 wooden fence posts were used in the installation process.

View the video above to learn more about the deer fence that was erected onsite.

Here, you can see the fencing crew working on the gate to the Preserve.

Stream restoration has now begun onsite. Streams that were previously obstructed by partially developed roads are now being restored to their natural channels, having been graded and the beds lined with rocks and boulders to mimic the natural appearance and flow of the rest of the stream. Hay bales have been placed along the stream edges temporarily to prevent erosion before it is replanted with vegetation that will stabilize the stream banks.

This video describes the stream restoration project.

Hay bales temporarily lined along stream edges to prevent erosion.

Above, you can see a restored stream bed.

The spreading of soil across the roads, completion of the deer fence, an ambitious replanting and seeding effort, and the formation of a visitors’ parking area are among the next major steps of site restoration. Check back weekly for updates and pictures of The Land Conservancy’s progress restoring the South Branch Preserve.

This video describes how the roads will be made into walking paths and replanted in the near future.

Restoration Continues at the South Branch Preserve

Restoration of the South Branch Preserve, formerly the Rezamir Estates, in Mount Olive is progressing smoothly for its new owner, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. We have completed the fourth week of construction, in the sixteen week long process. Construction is expected to be completed by September 30th, when the first phase (earth-moving work) of the South Branch Preserve Restoration Project will be done. The property was previously partially constructed for a 16-lot housing developement site which damaged and degraded the natural ecosystem. We are restoring the forest and streams so it fulfills its ecological potential and can once again protect the drinking water supply of the South Branch of the Raritan River and be available for public recreation.

Over the past two weeks, construction crews have been busy trying to meet the goals of our ambitious schedule and have been making significant progress. One of the two existing detention basins on the property has been filled in and the area graded. Three of six vernal ponds have been constructed in the basin's place. Vernal ponds occur when excess water drains into depressions and little pools of water develop during wet times of the year like spring. These ponds play a vital role in forest ecosystems; they are important habitat for amphibians and insects where they mate and lay their eggs. By mid-summer the ponds dry up for the most part, and the offspring leave the pond. Three more will be created after the remainder of this basin is filled in. Work has just begun on filling in the other detention basin with soil and quarry stone. For an explanation of the construction of vernal ponds onsite, please see the video below.

One of the vernal ponds that has been constructed over the site of the former detention basin after a couple days of rain.

Green frog eggs (the worm-shaped object) present in the new vernal pond after just 2 days.

A green frog in the new vernal pond.

In a little pond near one of the basins, dozens of frogs were gathered for mating.

Stream restoration work has also begun. At the stream junction, culverts were removed from under the road and the old cement arch bridge base is in the process of being jack-hammered and removed. The restoration crew, Paul W. Steinbeiser and company, has been working in conjunction with the Salmon construction group to pick up different sized boulders and rocks to use for the stream restoration project. They have also started grading the stream edges. For an explanation on the stream restoration process onsite, view the videos below.

A jackhammer-like machine was placed on the backhoe to break apart a large cement pipe discovered within a culvert; see the video below.

On July 6, the invasive plant species study began onsite. Invasive species are non-native plants that invade an area and disrupt the natural ecosystem. Michael van Clef, ecologist and President of Ecological Solutions Consulting Services based in Great Meadows, completed invasive species mapping in one area of the site last week and will finish the remainder of the study over the next week. A Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) was also conducted onsite by Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve. Although it's not quite complete, the PSI found that the property has one of the highest indices of native species diversity that they have seen in New Jersey! Plants noted in the PSI include trees, grasses, sedges, wildflowers, and shrubs.

An approximately 100-year old tulip tree. If you look closely there's a little hole in the tree with a squirrel poking its head out.

Also on July 6, the fencing crew started the necessary field work to erect the fencing. Posts have been set up and next week the fencing will be hung. This fencing will keep deer off the restoration site, allowing the new plants, grasses, and shrubs that will be planted to grow undisturbed. The future visitors’ parking lot has been graded and staked out and some gravel has been spread out there.

This machine is used to stretch and hang the fencing.

The site is hardly recognizable only four weeks into construction and we are amazed by the progress. As we approach the completion date, keep checking the blog for updates.

Volunteers Get to Work on the Grounds of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s Headquarters

On Monday, June 28, volunteers from Borbas Surveying & Mapping braved nearly 100-degree weather to help The Land Conservancy with two ongoing projects at our WildAcres headquarters; meadow restoration and garage rehabilitation.

When the well for our new geothermal energy system was installed last month, our backyard meadow was unearthed and the vegetation displaced. After filling the area back in with soil, it was left barren and covered with rocks (see picture below). The volunteers removed all the rocks
then graded the soil surrounding the wellhead (the blue object extending from the ground in the picture) to prepare the meadow for seeding that will take place within the 2-3 weeks. Eventually the backyard area will fill in with native grass and wildflowers.


In addition to the grueling task of removing rocks from the meadow, the volunteers helped prepare our garage for renovation. Due to leaks in the garage’s roof and mold problem, we are replacing all the walls and the roof so that we can use it again for storage. The Borbas volunteers helped us take everything out of the garage and separated the trash from the treasures so that the structure is ready for construction beginning on Tuesday, July 6.

Volunteers placing rocks in the tractor’s loader to be hauled away.

Volunteers take a break in the nearly 100-degree weather.

The volunteers also helped to rake and cleanup the front of the building along the driveway which the snowplow truck dismantled in the winter. Luckily, all the tasks were completed in perfect timing- literally a minute or two before a heavy downpour began. Our sincere thanks to Peter Borbas and all the staff at Borbas Surveying & Mapping for the wonderful work they did!