Update on the South Branch Preserve Restoration Project

With approximately six weeks of construction remaining at the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site, work is progressing smoothly and the property is beginning to look more like a natural area rather than a development subdivision.

The main gate and some of the deer fencing that was erected around the perimeter of the property.

The upper former detention basin has been completely filled and graded. Ten vernal pools were constructed and 450 native shrubs and trees have been planted in its place. Stumps, logs, and rocks were placed in and around the vernal pools to provide habitat for the amphibians and insects. The area has also been seeded with native grasses and wildflowers that should sprout next month.

The lower former basin was also completely filled and graded. Because it is smaller, four vernal pools were constructed there. Planting and seeding will begin within the next week.

New shrubs around the vernal pool, as well as boulders and logs recently placed there for amphibian and insect habitat.

Watch this video to see more of the recently planted vernal pools.

Remaining soil from the huge soil pile was used to spread long the former roadways (Yalda Court & Shop Lane). These areas will also be graded, seeded, and planted to restore the natural look of a meadow. This task will be one of the last to be completed, as the seeded areas cannot be disturbed by construction machinery or human treading once planted.

The former construction road. Leftover soil was used to spread across the roads so they can be planted and seeded, restoring the natural meadow.

The major stream crossing is almost completely restored to its natural form. Once this is completed, the stream restoration crew will begin restoring the to smaller stream crossings that were interrupted by the previous construction of roads.

The major stream crossing that is almost completed. You can see the boulders that make up the stream bed and lots of shubs planted nearby.

Watch this video to learn more about the stream crossing restoration.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is looking forward to completing the restoration project by the end of September. Seeing the former development site back in its natural state will be very rewarding to us and it will eventually be a great opportunity for public recreation for hiking and nature study in Mount Olive. Continue to check back for updates as the completion date nears.

Volunteers Herd Deer Off South Branch Preserve Restoration Site

On Wednesday, July 28th a group of 47 volunteers gathered to strategically herd deer off The Land Conservancy's South Branch Preserve Restoration Site in Mount Olive.

Sandy Urgo, Barbara Heskins Davis, and David Epstein of The Land Conservancy ready to start herding.

Deer grazing can have a detrimental effect on the landscape and hinder restoration efforts at the Preserve. As the restoration progresses, we will be replanting the disturbed areas with native grasses, shrubs, and trees. If left onsite, the deer would destroy the newly planted tree seedlings and shrubs, preventing regeneration of the natural forest. Limiting the growth of native species increases the opportunity for invasive plant species to overtake the property. Invasive species are non-native plants that invade an area and disrupt the natural ecosystem.

In addition to the growth of invasive species, overgrazing will cause the dominant tree species to become altered in the future. This will reduce species richness by reducing the abundance of those trees and plants that may provide suitable habitat for a range of different animals. To ensure the health of the site, it is imperative to keep deer off the site while the newly planted vegetation grows. One of the most common methods of keeping deer away from a property is by erecting a deer exclosure fence.

That morning volunteers lined up 25 feet apart along the northern expanse of fencing around the property and walked towards a 600-foot open gap left in the fencing- forcing deer to run in that direction and off the site. It was quite an extraordinary morning for those volunteering as they hiked amongst dense thickets of barberry, steep inclines, mud, and rocky terrain. After the 2 hour herding process was complete, the fencing crew closed the gap. Two gates will facilitate the entrance and exit to the site by work crews and hikers.

Pat Bergum of Bash Fencing went over the strategy with the volunteers before herding began.

Volunteers taking position along the site’s perimeter deer fence.

The Land Conservancy would like to thank all deer herding volunteers, especially those from Walmart, Morris County Youth Shelter, and Trout Unlimited.

A group of volunteers from Walmart pose with TLC-NJ President, David Epstein, before herding.