Author: Editor

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The Mercer County Park Commission has been approved for a Community Based Deer management permit from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The Community Based Deer Management (CBDM) permit allows for additional opportunities to improve forest understory and the overall ecological condition of natural areas through deer reductions beyond standard state hunting regulations.  Reducing deer overpopulation also improves public safety by reducing deer-vehicle collisions.

The additional measures permitted in the CBDM program will allow a professional culling firm to perform management activities during an extended season through March 31, 2022, at Baldpate Mountain and select regions of Mercer Meadows in Hopewell Township.  Management activities approved in the Park Commission’s permit include: Deer harvest by crossbow and firearm, culling during evening hours, and periodic closures for culling outside of the traditional State hunting season through March 31.

At Mercer Meadows, only the Curlis Woods region and the Ecological District are included in the permit. Beginning in January, these areas will allow for bow culling 7 days a week, through 9 p.m. each day until March 31. These regions will remain open to the public during this period. Park users are advised to remain on trails and wear bright colored clothing. All culling activity will take place from an elevated tree stand and a 75-foot safety buffer is in place on either side of all County-recognized trails.

The Curlis Woods region will BE CLOSED to the public for shotgun culling on:

• Wednesday, January 19 through Friday, January 21
• Wednesday, January 26 through Friday, January 28
• Thursday, March 3 through Friday, March 4
• Thursday, March 10 through Friday, March 11

• Saturday, March 5 and 12, from sunset to 9 p.m.

At Baldpate Mountain, including Belle Mountain and Fiddler’s Creek Preserve, the permit allows for extended evening culling (sunset through 9 p.m.)  February 1 through February 18, when the state hunting season ends. Beginning on Monday, February 21, bow culling may take place Monday through Friday, from sunrise to 9 p.m. until March 31. Shotgun culling may take place beginning on Monday, February 21 through March 31, 7 days a week from sunset to 9 p.m. when the park is closed to the public.

Baldpate Mountain, Belle Mountain and Fiddler’s Creek Preserve will BE CLOSED to the public for shotgun culling on:

• Thursday, March 17 through Friday, March 18
• Thursday, March 24 through Friday, March 25
• Saturday, March 19 and 26, from sunset to 9 p.m.

The above dates do not include closures as part of the Park Commission’s existing deer management program. The deer management program complies with all of the hunting regulations set by the State; in addition, the Park Commission has adopted County rules for the program. All hunting must be done from an elevated tree stand; hunters are not permitted to hunt from the ground. There is no shooting across park trails. Please visit www.mercercountyparks.org for details on all closures for deer management.

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The Mercer County Park Commission is turning open areas, large and small, all around the county into meadows to attract bees, birds, and other pollinators in an effort to preserve the natural ecosystem.

 

Recognizing the importance of pollinators, the Mercer County Park Commission began to identify plots of open space to convert into pollinator habitat. The mission began in 2017 and has now transformed 11 areas, approximately 57 acres, into welcoming homes for pollinators. Eight additional meadows, totaling 77.4 acres, are in progress. Meadow development is funded by grants and the Mercer County Open Space Trust Fund.

“In addition to providing habitat for pollinating species, meadows also enhance local biodiversity by increasing the plant species, absorbing stormwater, and reducing emissions typically produced during lawn mowing,” said Jenn Rogers, the Park Commission’s Director of Stewardship.

“Converting unused lawn to meadow has quite a number of benefits.”

Only a half-acre is needed to create a habitat that supports pollinator life cycles. In Ewing, a meadow was seeded in 2019 at the Senior Center. This small lawn-to-meadow restoration converted unused lawn into habitat, while also decreasing emissions from mowing.

Several municipalities around the county, including Hamilton, Ewing, and Hopewell are home to acres of new pollinator habitats.

Many of the pollinator meadows are accessible via hiking trails at Baldpate Mountain and Rosedale Park. One meadow in Ewing Township is next to a playground at Village on the Green. Next year, look for many acres of new meadow at Mercer County Park.

“We get tremendous satisfaction in knowing that our efforts are going to the greater good,” said Park Commission Executive Director Aaron T. Watson.

“We encourage county residents to create pollinator gardens in their own yards.”

For information on creating your own wildflower and pollinator garden, see websites hosted by the Xerces Society, Wild Seed Project, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Internationally syndicated cartoonist Patrick McDonnell and his wife Karen approached D&R Greenway with an idea and a clear intention: the creation of a unique Eco-Art bag to raise support and share the message of the land trust’s mission.

“In my comic strip MUTTS, I try to see the world through the eyes of animals. It is my firm belief that there is nothing more important than saving and preserving the natural world. D&R Greenway is a model for what can be done to keep our planet green,” says McDonnell, MUTTS creator.

McDonnell reached out to fellow D&R Greenway trustee, renowned watercolor artist James Fiorentino, who enthusiastically agreed to add his art to create a one-of-a-kind bag.

“I am thrilled to join Patrick in creating the ‘Green Way Bag’ because it embodies everything that D&R Greenway does for our community, from land stewardship and preservation to promoting the arts. These unique eco-friendly bags will spread the word about D&R Greenway and bring in new supporters, and reusable bags protect our environment and save wildlife.”

To enjoy your very own bag that includes the names of D&R Greenway preserves and special protected places—some popular and others you will learn about—all you have to do, is give a gift to get a gift to make a statement about your love of the land. Two contest drawings will provide winners with unique gifts that include the “Green Way Bag” with original signatures of both artists, a pillow for your home with James’ artwork, and signed prints by the artists.

Special Gifts: The top 10 donations to our Donor Appreciation Campaign received by Dec. 31, 2021, will receive an autographed book with a drawing by McDonnell, MUTTS cartoonist.

D&R Greenway Land Trusts asks that you visit www.drgreenway.org or call (609) 578-7470 to support D&R Greenway and make a statement about your love of the land and receive a one-of-a-kind bag designed by internationally renowned cartoonist, McDonnell and esteemed watercolor artist,  Fiorentino.

About D&R Greenway Land Trust: D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 21,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life.