South Branch Preserve Update One - Invasive Species Removal

In New Jersey as well as the rest of the United States the influx of non-native plants & invasive non-native plants has significantly increased in the past two centuries. Non-native plants are plants that were not originally found in the United States but are now established here. Most of these plants arrived here by airborne pollen, machinery, animals, humans, or other means; often originating from Europe or Asia.

Of the hundreds of non-native plants there are close to 200 invasive non-native plants in New Jersey alone. These invasive non-native plants are very aggressive in their colonization and since they have no natural insect enemies will spread quickly and profusely. When ignored, these plants will aggressively spread throughout large areas and will dominate over the native species reducing their populations. Efforts have been made to help reduce the impact that these plants have on the native flora and fauna.

We have found many of these plants at our restoration site in Mount Olive. Due to the high diversity of native plant species at this site it is very important to reduce the invasive plant population. A thorough mapping of these non-native invasive plants was performed by plant expert Michael VanClef from Ecological Solutions, LLC.

On May 31st plans were made to start the eradication of some of these plants before they spread throughout the preserve. Mike VanClef, three Land Conservancy of NJ interns and Stewardship Manager Dennis Briede went to the site and selectively applied an herbicide designed to eliminate these plants. Since then they have eliminated two of the species, Japanese Aurelia & Chinese silvergrass & reduced the Japanese barberry, ailanthus, mugwort, winged euonymus & autumn olive from some of the areas.



Keep an eye out for invasive non-native plants in your yard:



Japanese barberry,

autumn olive,

multiflora rose,

phragmites,

Chinese silvergrass,

and Japanese Aurelia

These plants, along with many others have spread throughout many parts of New Jersey as well as other areas of the United States.

see the website below for more information, on how to identify them and their native look-alikes:
http://www.nybg.org/files/scientists/rnaczi/Mistaken_Identity_Final.pdf

Pedal for Preservation on June 3rd!

Don’t just ride…pedal to preserve the best of New Jersey!

Get your heart pumping and feet pedaling for a great cause on Sunday, June 3rd as The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLC-NJ) hosts its first Pedal for Preservation Bike Event. Participants will ride on the Columbia Trail, a Rail to Trail route that is known as one of the most beautiful rides in New Jersey. Riders will start and finish at West Morris Central High School, 259 Bartley Rd, Chester, NJ.

Registration for the event is now open. Sign up by 4/30/12 and take advantage of the early registration discount!

“This family friendly off-road biking experience is geared towards riders of all biking abilities. The day will feature good food, a great ride, and fun for everyone, says Conservancy President David Epstein. “Best of all, riders will be pedaling to preserve the best of New Jersey -- the beautiful natural lands that are so special to us all!” Proceeds from Pedal for Preservation will help fund The Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s land preservation work.

Become a Champion for Open Space and team up with TLC-NJ by participating as a rider, team member, sponsor, donor or volunteer. Pay a flat registration fee or help fundraise by getting friends and family to sponsor your ride. Registration on the day of the event begins at 8am.
To register online:http://www.active.com/cycling/chester-nj/the-land-conservancy-of-new-jerseys-pedal-for-preservation-the-columbia-trail-2012

For mail-in registration or to learn more visit www.TLC-NJ.org

Volunteers are also needed. To volunteer contact Rosalie Lavinthal at rlavinthal@tlc-nj.org and to make a donation http://www.active.com/donate/tlc-nj.

Don’t just ride…Pedal for Preservation!!