Plantings critical in restoring the natural state of the South Branch Preserve

While the physical restoration of the South Branch Preserve may be complete, ongoing monitoring of the property is now critical. When the site was altered for residential development, many plants and trees were destroyed. These have now been replanted on the site, helping to bring it even closer to its pre-development state. Several steps are being taken to ensure they take root and survive onsite.

Some new plant growth on the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site

Among the trees and shrubs planted are Sugar Maples, Red Maples, Black Cherry, Silver Dogwood, Beardstongue, and Swamp Milkweed. In total, over 300 trees and over 700 shrubs were planted throughout the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site. Given some time to grow, the forest will be on the rebound within five to ten years!

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve has completed a Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) for the site. The PSI measures the ecological integrity of native plant communities and establishes a standardized measure of the effectiveness of our land management practices over time. The PSI was conducted by a team of botanists inventorying each of the plant communities on the site. The final report shows that the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site has one of the highest diversities of plant species inventoried in New Jersey.

While the new plantings begin to grow, it is also important to keep an eye on the spread of non-native species on the site. These “invasive” plants thrive on disturbed sites, making it more difficult for native plants to survive. The Land Conservancy’s Stewardship team is working with our restoration experts to provide every opportunity for native saplings, seeds, and shrubs to thrive.

An Invasive Species Report by Ecological Solutions found that two of the most pervasive non-native species at the South Branch Preserve are Japanese Stiltgrass and Japanese Barberry. Deer and other animals tend to avoid these plants in favor of native species, further encouraging their spread. Each of these species can be found on nearly half the acres in the 135-acre site. In total, twenty non-native species are present on the site.

This map shows the extent of non-native species present in different areas of the South Branch Preserve site.

It’s time to celebrate completion of the first phase of the South Branch Preserve Restoration Project!

After nearly four months of hard work, the time to celebrate the restoration of the former Rezamir Estates property in Mount Olive finally arrived on Friday, October 15. The event, “A Highlands Restoration Celebration,” commemorated the completion of the first phase of restoration work at the 135-acre site, which had been subdivided for residential development six years ago.

Guests and media tour the South Branch Preserve site on Friday, October 15.

The event, sponsored by The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, the National Forest Foundation, and the El Paso Corporation, featured a walking tour of the restored site, a breakfast and lunch, and appearances by representatives of several local, state, and Federal agencies, including U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.

Left to Right: Paul Steinbeiser (Restoration Team), David Epstein (The Land Conservancy of New Jersey), Bill Possiel (National Forest Foundation), Leslie Sauer (Restoration Team)

Jim Yardley (El Paso Corporation)

The Land Conservancy could not be more excited about the completion of this work and the positive reception the project has received as it ushers in a new era of land preservation in New Jersey. An article about the project appeared on the front page of Saturday’s Daily Record, and Sunday’s Star-Ledger! [click here, and here to view the articles]

David Epstein (The Land Conservancy of New Jersey President)

Dennis Briede (The Land Conservancy of New Jersey Stewardship Manager and Videographer)

Since June, when the property was acquired by The Land Conservancy in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, a tremendous amount of work has been done to remove the infrastructure installed for the residential subdivision, including the home foundation, gravel roads, concrete culverts, and detention basins. The site - located in the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River, which provides drinking water to over a million New Jersey residents - is of critical importance in the Highlands Preservation Area.

Stream crossing before restoration

Reconstructed stream crossing

Old detention basin

Restored vernal pond

Although we’ve made tremendous progress in restoring the site to its natural state, the work isn’t over yet. As we wait for the forests to regrow, invasive plant species have threatened the biological diversity of the site. Keep posted for updates on our efforts to limit their spread.