Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) (AWC) wetlands represent a globally rare plant community, and one of ecological, economic, and cultural significance. In the state of New Jersey, this pant community has experienced severe decline, falling from an estimated 115,000 acres pre-European settlement to around 25,000 acres remaining in the state (NJFAP,…...
NJ Audubon Conservation Projects Help Hudson Farm win 2021 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for Healthy Ecosystems & Habitat Category
NJ Audubon congratulates Hudson Farm on being selected by NJDEP as the winner of the 2021 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for Healthy Ecosystems & Habitat Category! The Hudson Farm property is over 4,000 acres of permanently preserved forest land in Sussex County (~2% of the total forest land in the…...
What Does “Old-Growth” Really Mean? It depends. – Bringing it all together (installment 6 of 6)
In recent weeks, we discussed the concept of old growth forests and its application in New Jersey. We provided some examples from Davis (1993, 2003r) and recent observations and developments in those areas. We asked several questions. In this final installment, we attempt to tie it all together and speak…...
What Does “Old What Does “Old-Growth” Really Mean? It depends. Example 3, Bear Swamp (Installment 5 of 6)
In southwestern NJ, along the Delaware Bay, Davis (1993) described two areas of possible old-growth broadleaf swamp forests. According to Davis, Bear Swamp West is 100 acres of possible old growth forest containing some 400 to 500-year-old black gum, 300-year-old sweetgum, large red maples, and large sweetbay magnolia trees (of unknown…...
What Does “Old-Growth” Really Mean? It depends – Example 2 – Eastern Hemlock Forests of Northern NJ (Installment 4 of 6)
Another example of older forests in New Jersey that have suffered significantly due to lack of management are forests comprised of Eastern hemlock. Davis (1993, 2003) discussed that many of NJ’s historically old growth forest had been dominated by Eastern hemlock, which is a conifer species that can live up…...
What does “Old-Growth” really mean? It depends. (Installment 1 of 6)
We humans depend heavily on our visual senses and emotional responses. We frequently make decisions from our hearts, occasionally in defiance of data. We also tend to dislike environmental and other change. This human approach to decision-making is relevant to our definition and approach to stewarding “old-growth” forests. The notion…...
ENDANGERED GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER FOUND IN A MANAGED SITE ON SPARTA MOUNTAIN!
On May 20, 2020 a rare Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) was found using a patch of young forest on Sparta Mountain where the mature trees had previously been harvested to create young forest habitat for the warbler and other wildlife. The rare warbler was discovered by NJ Division of Fish…...