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Trip Number: 12330A
Price: $595
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 10
Staff: Herb Wolff
Highlights:
- Enjoy unique habitats while performing a variety of land protection
services
- Visit historic sites on the Old Mine Trail of the 17th-century Dutch
settlement
- Explore Appalachian Trail ponds and wetlands, New Jersey Skyland, and
the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Includes:
- Indoor lodging at a local farm
- All meals
- Scheduled excursions to historic sites and nature preserves
The Trip
Photo: Herb Wolff
We will assist The Nature Conservancy's conservation program in the Skylands
of North New Jersey, a region marked by dense forests, farms, and sweeping vistas.
We'll participate in a variety of work activities at the Johnsonburg Swamp
Preserve and the White Lake Wildlife Management Area while enjoying habitats
that include a fen (wetlands); limestone and hemlock forests; rare plants nourished
by the calcium-rich soil of limestone bedrock; and active birdlife. We'll
lodge at Genesis Farm, a learning center for earth studies where we can also
attend presentations by regional naturalists. In our other free time, we'll
visit local recreational and historical points of interest in the Delaware Water
Gap National Recreation Area and enjoy spectacular vistas from the Appalachian
Trail.
The Project
Our group will assist TNC with trail development and maintenance, habitat
improvement, invasive species removal, and other projects at White Lake and
the Johnsonburg Swamp Preserve.
Itinerary
We'll meet on Sunday, September 9 at Genesis Farm in Blairstown, New Jersey,
and have our first meal together for supper. Please plan on arriving on Sunday
no later than 5 p.m. During the week, we will gather at local work sites identified
by TNC, then spend afternoons on group outings to places of interest or enjoying
free time. Our trip ends shortly after our group breakfast on Saturday, September
15.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Newark Liberty International (Newark, NJ). The New Jersey
Transit system runs light rail service from Newark Penn Station to the Hackettstown
rail station near our trip site. Let us know if you need to be picked up at
the station.
Accommodations and Food
Photo: The Nature Conservancy
The group will lodge at Genesis Farm, which is a learning center for Earth
studies. Encouraging alternative means of achieving true human and ecological
well-being, their programs focus on the connections between the health of our
global commons--air, water, land, and nature--and the health of our local communities
and bioregions.
The 226 aces of land, with their diverse life communities, are the heart of
Genesis Farm. Nestled within them is the original farm and homestead, which
date from the early 1800s. The main Farmhouse and Bread and Roses (the guest
house) provide accommodations for up to 16 guests. The Library holds a diverse
collection of more than 2,800 periodicals, books, and media. From the Farm's
collection of resources, including maps, visitors can learn about the natural
history of the Ridge and Valley region of northwestern New Jersey.
All meals are included and will be vegetarian friendly. We will attempt to
accommodate reasonable dietary requests.
Trip Difficulty
The difficulty level of this trip is Moderate.
Equipment and Clothing
TNC will supply all necessary work tools for our work project. Participants
must provide their own work clothing.
References
- Dale, Frank, Delaware Diary: Episodes in the Life of a River. 1996.
Rutgers University Press.
- Weslager, C.A, The Delaware Indians: A History. 1972. Rutgers University
Press.
- Boysen, Robert L., Kittatinny Trails. 2004. New York-New Jersey
Trail Conference.
- Leopold, Aldo, A Sand County Almanac. 1989. Oxford University Press.
- Cox, Donald D., A Naturalist's Guide to Wetland Plants. 2002.
Syracuse, NY: Syracuse U.
- Dodds, Walter K., Laws, Theories and Patterns in Ecology. 2009.
California: U Presses of California, Columbia, and Princeton.
Conservation
Photo: Herb Wolff
Over the course of the week, participants will perform a variety of land and
species protection activities.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Herb Wolff has led and participated in many service outings along the eastern seaboard, from Florida to Maine. He is also an active volunteer with the National Wildlife Refuge system with particular interests in wetland habitats and the Great Appalachian Valley. Herb lives in Warwick, NY.
E-mail: herbwolff@optonline.net
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips