A series of informational signs highlighting the natural and human cultural history of the EcoPreserve have been installed across the preserve. The signs are sturdy and weatherproof. Funding for the signs were provided by a student crowdfunding campaign organized by Muggle Mayhem with additional support by the Charles Kontos family.
Under the able leadership of the EcoPreserve Land Steward, Kendall Eldredge, the Summer 2023 Trail Crew started construction of an accessible trail that leads from the parking lot down towards Buell Brook before looping back. The trail is composed of crushed red shale stone dust overtop landscaping fabric and contained by plastic edging or landscape timbers. The trail winds through the woods to reduce the steepness of the slope. When completed the trail should provide access to wheelchairs, walkers and…
Figures: UL – EcoPreserve Land Steward Kendall Eldredge with a drip torch; UR – team of students that participated in the RxB decked out in protective gear; LL – post-burn in the large meadow showing patchy nature of the fire. Working with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), a prescribed burn (RxB) was conducted in the EcoPreserve on April 4, 2023. The RxB was centered on the large meadow (at the intersection of the Green and Orange Trails) and…
A new bridge was constructed across Buell Brook along the Red Trail to replace an older bridge that had been showing signs of age. It is in the same general footprint but sits a bit higher. Hopefully the new height will reduce damage from extreme precipitation events. Hurricane Ida pushed the old bridge off its foundation and it had to be wrangled back in place. Over the coming weeks we will finish clean up of the site and add gravel…