A joint workshop of the NJ Recreation and Park Association and the NJ Land Trust Network
Purpose of the workshop: To share effective techniques and strategies among public and nonprofit land managers of natural lands.
(.5 CEUs pending)
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Place: Duke Farms Visitors Center, 1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Registration: 8:30 - 9:00
Workshops: 9:00 – 4:00
Cost: $35/person (includes morning coffee service and lunch)
AGENDA
9:00 – 9:15 |
Welcome & Introductions |
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9:15 – 10:15 |
New Research Informs Management of Natural Lands Bats: David Wheeler, Executive Director; Ethan Gilardi, biologist, Conserve Wildlife Foundation. The presenter will share findings from bat research to help managers protect this imperiled species. |
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10:15 – 10:30 |
BREAK |
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10:30 – 11:15 |
Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ) Gretchen Fowles, NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife; Betsy McShane, Natural Resources Conservation Service. The presenters will discuss a new online tool (CHANJ) that identifies and encourages wildlife migrations. This tool will be a helpful resource for management decisions and environmental education. |
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11:15 – 12:15 |
Return of the Natives--Replacing Invasive Plants with Native Species Kelli Kovacevic, Morris County Park Commission; Ken Thoman, Monmouth County Park System; Jennifer Rogers, Mercer County Park Commission; Richard Lear, Middlesex County Dept. of Parks & Recreation. The panel will discuss four mini-case studies on projects to restore native plants to replace invasive plants. |
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12:15 – 1:00 |
LUNCH |
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1:00 – 2:00 |
Using Soil Science to Manage Natural Lands Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil scientists (Rich Shaw & others) |
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2:00 – 2:15 |
BREAK |
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2:15 – 3:00 |
Natural Lands Stewardship Practices in a Changing Climate Michael Catania, Executive Director, Duke Farms |
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3:00 – 3:45 |
Discussion about Managing Unauthorized Off-Road Vehicle Use Jason Howell, Stewardship Coordinator, Pinelands Preservation Alliance; Emile DeVito, Manager of Science & Stewardship, NJ Conservation Foundation. These two organizations have worked together to discourage unauthorized off-road vehicle use through natural areas. They may not have all the answers, but they will share some of the techniques they have tried. The audience will be invited to share challenges, frustrations and successes in managing this visitor use. |
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3:45—4:30 |
Questions/Discussion |
Questions about the workshop? Contact Kathleen (kavitt@njrpa.org; 609-356-0480) or Laura (Laura@njconservation.org; 908-997-0720)
Natural Lands Stewardship Workshop Final.pdf