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  • DEP efforts to save state’s last wild population of endangered grassland herb showing signs of promise

    The Department of Environmental Protection has high hopes for steps taken this year to improve the survival chances for New Jersey’s last remaining wild population of American chaffseed, a flowering perennial herb with highly specialized habitat needs. The species’ last stronghold is in a state forest in the Pinelands of Burlington County.

    To restore the habitat at the Burlington County location, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in late winter conducted a prescribed burn, then the New Jersey Forest Service thinned the surrounding trees to increase sunlight. Volunteers from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Pinelands Preservation Alliance also manually cut back competing shrubs. Duke Farms in Hillsborough also contributed by propagating at its site plants from seed collected at the wild population. The New Jersey State Forest Nursery in Jackson has been working to propagate plants to aid in re-establishing this rare species.

    The project is being overseen by the DEP’s Office of Natural Lands Management. The Burlington County site has more than 80 American chaffseed plants.

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  • New Jersey forest service encourages landowners to help spread shortleaf pine trees across Pinelands region

    As a partner in a multistate initiative, the Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging landowners in the Pinelands to use technical assistance and expertise available through the New Jersey Forest Service to help restore shortleaf pine trees to the region.

    The Forest Service is a partner in the Shortleaf Pine Initiative comprising 22 states, federal forestry and wildlife organizations, and other partners. The New Jersey Forest Service offers technical and other assistance to help landowners incorporate the species into their forest management plans.

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  • DEP Extends Recreational Use Advisory on Clinging Jellyfish to Ocean County’s Metedeconk River

    The Department of Environmental Protection is advising recreational users of Ocean County’s Metedeconk River to exercise caution following confirmation of the presence of clinging jellyfish, a non-native species with a powerful sting, in this coastal waterway.

    In addition to the Metedeconk River, the DEP reminds recreational users of the Shrewsbury and Manasquan rivers – Monmouth County waterways where the clinging jellyfish had been confirmed in recent years – to be alert to its possible presence.

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News Archive

Spotlight

Bark Making Bark Collection Containers and Berry Harvesting on August 8th

Kids ages 10+ and adults of all ages are welcome to join as David Alexander teaches the technique and value of harvesting bark for containers. Participants will craft their own with cardboard.

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star gazing Star Gazing with Morris Museum Astronomical Society, August 18th

Bring a picnic blanket and a late night snack to enjoy a quiet summer evening with Schiff and Joe Molnar from the Morris Museum Astronomical Society for a night of star gazing! Participants will meet at the nature center and walk as a group to the great meadow for a tour of the summer sky and gazing through a telescope.

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Forest Yoga Yoga Hike at Schiff Nature Preserve on August 19th

Join Off The Grid at Schiff Nature Preserve for an easy hike and gentle yoga session, suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. We will begin with a meditation and centering session indoors, then enjoy a beautiful hike through the landscapes of Schiff Nature Preserve, enjoying the detoxifying quality of being present in nature.

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New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo this September 8th & 9th

The New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo celebrates the state's bountiful natural resources and rich outdoor heritage. The event is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both September 8 & 9 at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson Township, Ocean County.

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Past Spotlights