Construction and Planting Almost Complete on South Branch Preserve

Construction, planting and seeding on the South Branch Preserve Restoration Project is almost complete! The completion of this work of the restoration project will mark the end of the first phase of the extensive makeover since the property’s purchase in June 2010.

The extensive makeover has left the site unrecognizable compared to early June. Two detention basins were removed from the property and replaced with fourteen vernal pools. Additionally, 450 native shrubs and trees have been planted near the former upper detention basin and over 200 native shrubs and trees have been planted near where the former lower detention basin was located. Roads have been removed from the property and a deer fence installed to lessen the detrimental effects of deer grazing on the property.

Workers planting shrubs and trees along newly created vernal ponds

Wildflower and native grass seed have been planted over much of the property, which have recently started to sprout. The planting and seeding, done in phases, will give way to a cover crop that will protect the soil from erosion, as well as protect the land throughout the winter months. The roads, which were removed, have recently been seeded and trees will soon be planted in their former path.

Seeding taking place on the property by a tractor pulling a seeder

The stream crossings have been restored to their natural state after they were culverted and diverted for development prior to the preservation of the land. The restoration crew has lined each of the crossings with boulders and rocks. Additionally, planting of wetland grasses and shrubs is nearly complete around the boulders to ward off erosion.

The planted and seeded stream beds- restored to their natural state

With construction and planting nearing completion, the focus of the project has shifted to future management of the property. To help with the management, Linda Kelly, from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, is completing the Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) of the property. The PSI will help The Land Conservancy to assess the range of plants and trees on the property from the valuable to the detrimental.

The most valuable are rare or endangered species that will need special care and maintenance right now and in the long-term. The detrimental plants include invasive species or non-native plants, which can easily adapt to varying temperatures, and varying amounts of sunlight and water. They can easily take over a particular area when conditions are not suitable for more native plants to grow. Our goal is to create optimal conditions on the site for the native plants to outcompete non-native plants.

Dr. Mike Van Clef, with Ecological Solutions, is almost finished creating maps which will show the extent and severity of invasive species encroaching on the property. On the South Branch property, the two worst invasive species are Japanese Stiltgrass and Japanese Barberry. Other species that pose a moderate threat on the property include Common Mugwort, Bush Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, Tree of Heaven, and Multiflora Rose.

One of the two most invasive species on the property, Japanese Barberry

In addition to the mapping, Mike will outline steps to remove and to control these species immediately, and in the future. As a result, his findings will aid the management of the property right away, as well as in the long-term. Controlling the infestation of invasive species on the South Branch Preserve will be an ongoing issue that will last many years. Our goal is to prevent soil erosion, and to promote healthy forest growth to ensure clean water to the South Branch.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is looking forward to completing the restoration project and developing a plan to manage the property. Please check back soon for more updates!

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.

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!

Week 1: Restoration Work Begins on South Branch Preserve Restoration Project

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that we have begun working to restore the former Rezamir Estates property in Mt. Olive, now known as the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site. The Land Conservancy is leading a team of contractors and expert consultants to implement the Restoration Plan of this critically important land. The property was partially developed for 16 residential lots. We are excited to have begun this land stewardship, or land management, project to restore the natural assets of the property. The work during this past week focused on the preliminary steps to ensure the property is prepared before remedial actions, such as removing the detention basins and roads, are completed.

On June 14th contractors put up fabric fences to prevent soil erosion and drained most of the water from the two detention basins. The Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) was begun as well. This is a tool used for ecological assessment, which means observing and classifying a property’s plants and habitats. By observing the types of plants that exist, the PSI helps determine the “naturalness” of a site and how land management practices (or their absence) affected that naturalness over time. According to Bowman Hill Wildflower Preserve, the botanical organization who conducted our PSI, over 2,000 plants in New Jersey and the Piedmont region of Pennsylvania have been catalogued and assigned a number from zero to ten by local experts and botanists. Zero represents the most generalist species, tolerant of disturbance and includes invasive or introduced non-native species (such as multiflora rose). Ten represents the most conservative species and includes many rare and endangered state-listed native plants that require special habitats and do not regrow after disturbance. The PSI will help us properly manage the land and habitats within the preserve. For more information on PSI visit Bowman Hill Preserve's website.

On June 17th, Conservancy staff members and several of our volunteers, with guidance from a biologist and herpetologist, scoured two existing drained detention basins for turtles, frogs, and tadpoles so that we could relocate them before filling the basins. It was a muddy process, but we were able to capture and release 30 frogs from one pond, and thousands of frogs, toads, and tadpoles of assorted types from the other. With permission from our new neighbor, we released them into two nearby ponds. There were no turtles found in the basins, however we spotted one box turtle on a nearby road.

There’s a long way to go in the restoration process but we all look forward to the end result when we can call it by its new name, South Branch Preserve, where people will be able to enjoy the natural landscape of the site. Continue to check back for updates each week on Rezamir’s progress.

A box turtle found nearby.

Staff members of TLC-NJ and biologist, Rick Radis, observing a catch.

A frog hidden in mud inside a net.

President of TLC-NJ, David Epstein, emptying his muddy waders.