Friday, April 30, 2010
Endangered Species Quiz and Answers
Here are the endangered species quiz questions that I posted earlier along with the correct answers.
The quiz is also posted online at http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/ESDay/quiz2.html
1) The Endangered Species Act is one of the most successful environmental laws ever put into place, and has been credited with having saved _______% of the species it protects.
a.)75%
b.) 80%
c.) 99%
d.) 85%
2) True or false? There are more plants on the lists of endangered and threatened species in the United States than animals. TRUE
3) How many species are listed as endangered or threatened in the United States?
a.) about 750
b.) about 4,000
c.) about 1,300 here are 750 listed plant species and 577 listed animals.
4) There are more listed species in _______ than there are in any other state.
a.) Hawaii has 330 listed plants and animals. California is second with 308 listed species.
b.) California
c.) Florida
d.) Alaska
5) There are endangered and threatened species in ______ state(s).
a.) 1
b.) 37
c.) 50 Unfortunately there are endangered and threatened species in every state and in the District of Columbia.
d.) 44
6) Which group of animals in our country is the most endangered?
a.) Birds
b.) Mammals
c.) Fish 138 species listed
d.) Insects
7) This fish (found only in Arizona) was once on the brink of extinction, but could now see a delisting proposal as early as 2011—which would make it the first fish to ever be removed from list of endangered and threatened species!
a.) Cutthroat trout
b.) Atlantic salmon
c.) Pallid sturgeon
d.) Apache trout
8) What is the most common threat resulting in species becoming endangered or threatened?
a.) Habitat loss and degradation
b.) Invasive species
c.) Disease
d.) Overharvesting
All are threats, but habitat loss and degradation is the most common cause of species imperilment.
9) It is estimated that ______% of freshwater mussels in the U.S. are extinct, endangered, or in need of special protection.
a.) 33%
b.) 25%
c.) 50%
d.) 70%
10) When the ______ was listed as threatened in 2008, it marked the first time the Endangered Species Act was used to protect a species threatened by the impacts of climate change.
a.) Pika
b.) Polar bear
c.) Marmot
11) Since the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, how many species have been removed from the threatened and endangered list because they went extinct?
a.) More than 50
b.) About 25
c.) Fewer than 10
12) Name the recovered species that is also our national symbol.
a.) Gray wolf
b.) Bald eagle Most populations of all three species have recovered, including the bald eagle, our national symbol.
c.) Peregrine falcon
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Essex County’s Household Hazardous Waste and Computer and Electronics Collection Days in May
Essex County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
This Saturday, May 1, 2010 ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Essex County Fleet Maintenance Garage
99 West Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ
Items accepted:
Pesticides and Herbicides ~ Gasoline/Kerosene ~ Paint thinners & solvents Automotive fluids (antifreeze, motor oil, steering fluids, etc.) ~ Car batteries Household cleaning fluids ~ Darkroom/Photographic chemicals
Oil based paints and stains ~ Aerosol spray paints Propane tanks (barbecue type)
Chemistry sets ~ Fire extinguishers (home) ~ Fluorescent light bulbs & ballasts
Pool chemicals ~ Mercury and products containing mercury ~ Driveway sealer
Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, NiCad) * Due to new regulations, rechargeable batteries brought to the Collection Day must be bagged and/or taped on the terminal ends.
We will not be accepting:
Latex paint ~ Unlabeled or Unidentified Materials ~ Asbestos ~ Empty Containers
Regulated Medical Waste or Infectious Waste ~ Commercial or Industrial Waste
Explosives, Munitions, Ordinance or Reactive Materials
Essex County’s Computer & Electronics Recycling Day
Saturday, May 15, 2010 ~ 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Essex County Fleet Maintenance Garage
99 West Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ
Items accepted:
Computers ~ Monitors ~ Printers ~ Fax Machines ~ Scanners ~ Telecom Equipment Speakers ~ Televisions ~ Keyboards ~ Main Frames ~ VCRs ~ Stereos ~ DVD Players Toasters ~ Irons ~ Old Cellular Telephones
Not For Commercial and Industrial Facilities.
Essex County residents must provide proof of residency at the site.
For more information call the Essex County Utilities Authority at 973-857-2350
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Endangered Species Day Is May 21, 2010
Endangered Species Day this year will be on May 21, 2010. On that day, the Fish and Wildlife Service will observe Endangered Species Day in order to recognize the national conservation effort to protect our nation’s endangered species and their habitats.
1) The Endangered Species Act is one of the most successful environmental laws ever put into place, and has been credited with having saved _______% of the species it protects.
a.)75%
b.) 80%
c.) 99%
d.) 85%
2) True or false? There are more plants on the lists of endangered and threatened species in the United States than animals.
3) How many species are listed as endangered or threatened in the United States?
a.) about 750
b.) about 4,000
c.) about 1,300
4) There are more listed species in _______ than there are in any other state.
a.) Hawaii
b.) California
c.) Florida
d.) Alaska
5) There are endangered and threatened species in ______ state(s).
a.) 1
b.) 37
c.) 50
d.) 44
6) Which group of animals in our country is the most endangered?
a.) Birds
b.) Mammals
c.) Fish
d.) Insects
7) This fish (found only in Arizona) was once on the brink of extinction, but could now see a delisting proposal as early as 2011—which would make it the first fish to ever be removed from list of endangered and threatened species!
a.) Cutthroat trout
b.) Atlantic salmon
c.) Pallid sturgeon
d.) Apache trout
8) What is the most common threat resulting in species becoming endangered or threatened?
a.) Habitat loss and degradation
b.) Invasive species
c.) Disease
d.) Overharvesting
9) It is estimated that ______% of freshwater mussels in the U.S. are extinct, endangered, or in need of special protection.
a.) 33%
b.) 25%
c.) 50%
d.) 70%
10) When the ______ was listed as threatened in 2008, it marked the first time the Endangered Species Act was used to protect a species threatened by the impacts of climate change.
a.) Pika
b.) Polar bear
c.) Marmot
11) Since the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, how many species have been removed from the threatened and endangered list because they went extinct?
a.) More than 50?
b.) About 25?
c.) Fewer than 10?
12) Name the recovered species that is also our national symbol.
a.) Gray wolf
b.) Bald eagle
c.) Peregrine falcon
Check your species knowledge with this Endangered Species Quiz
I will post the answers this Friday at 8 AM EDT
a.)75%
b.) 80%
c.) 99%
d.) 85%
2) True or false? There are more plants on the lists of endangered and threatened species in the United States than animals.
3) How many species are listed as endangered or threatened in the United States?
a.) about 750
b.) about 4,000
c.) about 1,300
4) There are more listed species in _______ than there are in any other state.
a.) Hawaii
b.) California
c.) Florida
d.) Alaska
5) There are endangered and threatened species in ______ state(s).
a.) 1
b.) 37
c.) 50
d.) 44
6) Which group of animals in our country is the most endangered?
a.) Birds
b.) Mammals
c.) Fish
d.) Insects
7) This fish (found only in Arizona) was once on the brink of extinction, but could now see a delisting proposal as early as 2011—which would make it the first fish to ever be removed from list of endangered and threatened species!
a.) Cutthroat trout
b.) Atlantic salmon
c.) Pallid sturgeon
d.) Apache trout
8) What is the most common threat resulting in species becoming endangered or threatened?
a.) Habitat loss and degradation
b.) Invasive species
c.) Disease
d.) Overharvesting
9) It is estimated that ______% of freshwater mussels in the U.S. are extinct, endangered, or in need of special protection.
a.) 33%
b.) 25%
c.) 50%
d.) 70%
10) When the ______ was listed as threatened in 2008, it marked the first time the Endangered Species Act was used to protect a species threatened by the impacts of climate change.
a.) Pika
b.) Polar bear
c.) Marmot
11) Since the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, how many species have been removed from the threatened and endangered list because they went extinct?
a.) More than 50?
b.) About 25?
c.) Fewer than 10?
12) Name the recovered species that is also our national symbol.
a.) Gray wolf
b.) Bald eagle
c.) Peregrine falcon
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Fish Dying in Caldwell Pond
via nj.com
continues
Hundreds of small sunfish have mysteriously died in a small park pond in the last week.
“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Kashmir Singh, who has maintained the Grover Cleveland Park for eight years.
Singh, who was walking around the pond with a pool skimmer Friday, said many of the fish developed a fuzzy, white growth on their heads.
“It almost looks like a barnacle on the fish, and then soon after it appears, the fish dies,” said Bruce Davita, chief project coordinator for the Essex County Parks Department.
More than 300 sunfish in the pond have died this way, Davita said. Before the mold-like substance grows, the fish turns a dark brown or black color.
The pond, located at Brookside Avenue and Runnymede Road, is the site where the county plans to kick off a fishing derby May 1. Davita said a state Fish and Wildlife biologist told him there’s no health concern...
continues
Monday, April 26, 2010
Teaching Kids About Horseshoe Crabs
The spring migration of many species of shorebirds coincides with the arrival of the horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay. Bird counts of migratory shorebirds show disturbing decreases in numbers, and those who study the migrations see a correlation shorebird population declines and horseshoe crab over-harvesting.
Horseshoe crabs have survived 300 million years of a changing planet, but may not survive human interference. Loss of habitat is a concern, but the use of the crabs as bait is possibly even more of a threat.
These books offer a nice pathway into understanding this species for young readers.
Part story and part science lesson, Crab Moon (ages 5-9) is the story of seven-year-old Daniel and his mother who watch horseshoe crabs lay their eggs on the beach near their cottage in the moonlight of the full moon. I like that his mom remembers the seasonal spawning of horseshoe crabs on this same beach from her own childhood.
I also like the story's coda when Daniel "one last, lonely crab marooned upside down" and after some hesitation (horseshoe crabs can be scary looking!) he rights her, and follows her back to the sea.
Also
Harry Horseshoe Crab, A Tale of Crawly Creatures
The Crab from Yesterday: The Life-Cycle of a Horseshoe Crab
More on horseshoe crabs in New Jersey
Friday, April 23, 2010
Delaware River Shad Festival in Lambertville
The ShadFest in Lambertville, New Jersey, is an annual celebration of the return of the shad, a fish in the herring family, to the Delaware River. For 2010, it occurs this weekend, April 24 & 25.
The Delaware River was so polluted for many years that the number of shad that came to spawn each spring had dwindled to an alarmingly low number.
That indicator of an unhealthy environment, started environmentalists to rally for a cleanup of the waterway.
Shad Festivals (there is also one on the Hudson River in NY) usually are held when the shad begin to spawn. Shad are primarily saltwater fish, but they swim up freshwater rivers to spawn in the springtime. Unlike trout, which have a very similar reproduction ritual, many shad survive to swim back to sea. Various types of shad are found in all areas of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as several seas across the world. The shad have returned to using the deeper waters of the Delaware River as a spawning ground - an indicator of the success of some environmental reforms that were enacted.
As the fish travel up the Delaware River, there are shad-hauling demonstrations, called seining, which catch the fish in nets in a method used by the Lenni Lenape Indians, the original inhabitants of the area during colonial times.
In addition to seining demonstrations and shad cooking demonstrations, the Shad Festival also offers a variety of vendors, music, art shows and more, including a poster auction to benefit a scholarship program for local high school seniors.
Food abounds, but the main attraction is the shad. Ultimately, the Shad Festival is a celebration of both the return of this unique fish and the return of tourism and economy to the riverside town.
The first Shad Festival was held in 1981 to mark a kind of ecological milestone in the river's comeback.
Thousands of tourists, anglers, shoppers and environmentalists now attend the two-day event.
For more information http://www.lambertville.org
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Oceans - the film
Disneynature is an independent film label of The Walt Disney Company, that releases big screen nature documentaries. Today, to coincide with Earth Day, they are releasing Oceans, a French-American nature documentary film by Jacques Perrin.
The film explores the oceans of the Earth's surface and the mysteries that lie beneath. It is Disneynature's second release following Earth
in 2009.Budgeted at 50 million euros, it was filmed in over 50 different places and took four years to film. It reflects the need to respect nature and demonstrates the negative impact of human interaction on animals, to the point of favoring the disappearance of species.
Their official website at http://disney.go.com/disneynature/oceans/ has some beautiful video and images. (I downloaded the wallpaper and screensaver too!)
You can also watch a trailer for the film on YouTube that includes some history of Disney nature films. There are ones I still recall seing in my childhood.
This would be a great way to start your kids on an appreciation of the environment - or to reawaken your own childhood fascination with nature.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
40 School Greening Projects for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
Earth Day Network and environmental educators worldwide are committed to making our schools more sustainable. Through school greening projects, they make our school yards, facilities, and curricula healthier, more efficient, and more enriching.
Installing solar panels, building school gardens, installing efficient lighting fixtures, conserving water, and implementing environmental curricula are just some of the ways in which we do this. They each create engaging learning spaces across the globe while reducing their carbon footprint.
What is a Green School?
Green Schools are the most effective agents for enacting significant positive environmental and educational change in schools and communities. School greening is quickly becoming more than a trend; rather, it is now the method of choice for providing healthy, comfortable and productive learning environments while saving energy, resources and money.
A green school improves the health and energy-efficiency of the school facility, ensures science-based environmental and civic education in the classroom, implements healthy food choices into the cafeteria, promotes alternative means of transportation, and expands recreational choices and opportunities for all students.
The benefits of green schools are now well established and range from significant reductions in greenhouse gases to impressive energy cost savings, improved student test scores and higher teacher and student retention, as well as very impressive improvements in children’s health. Studies have demonstrated that green schools greatly reduce student sick days, significantly improve the health of students with diabetes, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, reduce social inequity, enhance student motivation in both the short and long term, and provide an educationally rich setting.
Despite what many people think, green schools cost on average less than 2% more to build than a traditional school, yet the payback often occurs within only a few years due to the energy savings alone. A green school typically utilizes 33% less energy and 32% less water – enough savings to hire two additional full-time teachers.
Ultimately greening America’s schools presents an extraordinary cost-effective opportunity to improve the health and educational settings for all students, increasing school equality and competiveness while reducing long-term health and operational costs.
More at http://www.earthday.net/greenyourschool
Green School Primer: Lessons in Sustainability (Architecture)
Teaching Green - The High School Years: Hands-on Learning in Grades 9-12
A Guide to Green School Success: A Maryland Initiative
Ecological Design and Building Schools: Green Guide to Educational Opportunities in the United States and Canada
Installing solar panels, building school gardens, installing efficient lighting fixtures, conserving water, and implementing environmental curricula are just some of the ways in which we do this. They each create engaging learning spaces across the globe while reducing their carbon footprint.
What is a Green School?
Green Schools are the most effective agents for enacting significant positive environmental and educational change in schools and communities. School greening is quickly becoming more than a trend; rather, it is now the method of choice for providing healthy, comfortable and productive learning environments while saving energy, resources and money.
A green school improves the health and energy-efficiency of the school facility, ensures science-based environmental and civic education in the classroom, implements healthy food choices into the cafeteria, promotes alternative means of transportation, and expands recreational choices and opportunities for all students.
The benefits of green schools are now well established and range from significant reductions in greenhouse gases to impressive energy cost savings, improved student test scores and higher teacher and student retention, as well as very impressive improvements in children’s health. Studies have demonstrated that green schools greatly reduce student sick days, significantly improve the health of students with diabetes, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, reduce social inequity, enhance student motivation in both the short and long term, and provide an educationally rich setting.
Despite what many people think, green schools cost on average less than 2% more to build than a traditional school, yet the payback often occurs within only a few years due to the energy savings alone. A green school typically utilizes 33% less energy and 32% less water – enough savings to hire two additional full-time teachers.
Ultimately greening America’s schools presents an extraordinary cost-effective opportunity to improve the health and educational settings for all students, increasing school equality and competiveness while reducing long-term health and operational costs.
More at http://www.earthday.net/greenyourschool
Green School Primer: Lessons in Sustainability (Architecture)
Teaching Green - The High School Years: Hands-on Learning in Grades 9-12
A Guide to Green School Success: A Maryland Initiative
Ecological Design and Building Schools: Green Guide to Educational Opportunities in the United States and Canada
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
PBS Teacher Materials for Earth Day
PBS IN EDUCATION has teacher materials to help celebrate Earth Day.
PBS Teachers offers an Earth Day Activity Pack http://www.pbs.org/teachers/activitypacks/science/earthday/ for educators to use in the classroom or to post on their classroom, school or favorite social networking Web sites.
The Activity Pack is designed for multiple grade levels and contains links to Earth Day-themed education resources and activities from PBS to support environmental awareness.
Also check out the PBS Teachers STEM Education Resource Center http://www.pbs.org/teachers/stem/, which contains science, technology, engineering and math educator resources including an online video collection that explores some of their iconic STEM related content for preK-12 educators.
PBS Teachers offers an Earth Day Activity Pack http://www.pbs.org/teachers/activitypacks/science/earthday/ for educators to use in the classroom or to post on their classroom, school or favorite social networking Web sites.
The Activity Pack is designed for multiple grade levels and contains links to Earth Day-themed education resources and activities from PBS to support environmental awareness.
Also check out the PBS Teachers STEM Education Resource Center http://www.pbs.org/teachers/stem/, which contains science, technology, engineering and math educator resources including an online video collection that explores some of their iconic STEM related content for preK-12 educators.
Green Schools and Environmental Education
Earth Day Network's successful history of working with teachers, PTAs, students and school administrators has led them to develop a long term, national campaign on green schools.
The National GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, aims to green all of America's K-12 schools within a generation.
A school becomes “green” through a variety of means. By having more sustainable, energy-efficient, low-resource-using school buildings and school yards, our nation saves energy, reduces carbon emissions, and saves money.
Earth Day Network sees environmental education as a core of its mission and is a globally recognized leader in the fields of environmental education and green schools. Their education programs carry a successful history of providing educators, students and the general public with resources and solutions to create a healthier, more sustainable planet.
The online Educators’ Network is a free tool connecting over 25,000 educators with hundreds of environmental education curricula and resources. The newest curriculum unit, released for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, is a comprehensive study of the history of the environmental movement, complete with standards-based lesson plans and multimedia resources.
Our Education grant programs are changing the face of environmental education on a global scale. Schools involved in our grant programs are saving money, reducing pollution and improving their communities – proving our potential to help prepare students for the 21st century learning environment.
Earth Day Network's Environmental Education Program is one of the most innovative and successful in the U.S., providing tools to educators and students for integrating environmental issues into core curriculum across disciplines and grade levels, in and out of the classroom.
A variety of lesson plans are available online in the themed areas of:
The National GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, aims to green all of America's K-12 schools within a generation.
A school becomes “green” through a variety of means. By having more sustainable, energy-efficient, low-resource-using school buildings and school yards, our nation saves energy, reduces carbon emissions, and saves money.
Earth Day Network sees environmental education as a core of its mission and is a globally recognized leader in the fields of environmental education and green schools. Their education programs carry a successful history of providing educators, students and the general public with resources and solutions to create a healthier, more sustainable planet.
The online Educators’ Network is a free tool connecting over 25,000 educators with hundreds of environmental education curricula and resources. The newest curriculum unit, released for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, is a comprehensive study of the history of the environmental movement, complete with standards-based lesson plans and multimedia resources.
Our Education grant programs are changing the face of environmental education on a global scale. Schools involved in our grant programs are saving money, reducing pollution and improving their communities – proving our potential to help prepare students for the 21st century learning environment.
Earth Day Network's Environmental Education Program is one of the most innovative and successful in the U.S., providing tools to educators and students for integrating environmental issues into core curriculum across disciplines and grade levels, in and out of the classroom.
A variety of lesson plans are available online in the themed areas of:
Monday, April 19, 2010
Earth Day #40 is April 22
2010 be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs?
The Earth Day Network is trying to galvanize millions to make personal commitments to sustainability.
Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy.
You can join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day. Your actions don't have to be big or gobal or political.
Some personal pledges on the Earth day website include simple things like:
- I will collect plastic bottles when I see them on the ground and recyle them.
- Stop using plastic water bottles and get your water from the tap and carry it in a reusable bottle.
- Go out on your own or with friends & family and pick up garbage around your community for 3 hours.
The Climate Rally will include notable speakers Reverend Jesse Jackson, film director, James Cameron, AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, Olympic gold medalist, Billy Demong, producer, Trudie Styler, author, Margaret Atwood, NFL player and television personality, Dhani Jones, environmental photographer Sebastian Copeland and many more.
The Climate Rally will also feature live music from Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Jimmy Cliff, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Willie Colón, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Booker T, Honor Society and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger.
The first Earth Day was a success because 20 million Americans demonstrated their outrage for the state of the environment. Climate change is only one of about a dozen core issues that Earth Day hopes to address, including conservation and biodiversity, clean water, green schools and environmental education.
FOR YOUNG READERS
It's Earth Day! (Little Critter)
Earth Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)
Earth Day: An Alphabet Book
Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration
Fancy Nancy: Every Day Is Earth Day (I Can Read Book 1)
Earth Day (Ready-to-Read. Level 1)
Dora Celebrates Earth Day!: Little Green Nickelodeon (Dora the Explorer)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Landscape Project GIS Training
Learn about the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's geographic information system (GIS) approach to mapping endangered and threatened wildlife habitat throughout New Jersey.
The Landscape Project is used in many state planning efforts and is referenced in a number of state regulations. It is also widely used in local environmental resource inventories throughout the state.
An upcoming Landscape Project training and information session will be hosted by Rutgers University, Cook Campus, Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis, New Brunswick, NJ, on Thursday, April 22nd, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Participants will learn how the Landscape Project was developed and have an opportunity to use GIS "hands-on" to access habitat maps for threatened and endangered wildlife species. Seating is limited so please register as soon as possible.
To register, please visit: http://www.jcnerr.org/
For additional information regarding the session e-mail patrick.woerner@dep.state.nj.
Newly released, Version 2.1 and Version 3.0 of New Jersey's Landscape Project that identifies habitats throughout the state can be obtained:
- Online via download: http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/
- Online via DEP's Interactive mapping application: http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/
- On Compact Disc by request to the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program by calling 609-292-9400; faxing 609-984-1414; or writing to P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400.
The Landscape Project is used in many state planning efforts and is referenced in a number of state regulations. It is also widely used in local environmental resource inventories throughout the state.
An upcoming Landscape Project training and information session will be hosted by Rutgers University, Cook Campus, Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis, New Brunswick, NJ, on Thursday, April 22nd, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Participants will learn how the Landscape Project was developed and have an opportunity to use GIS "hands-on" to access habitat maps for threatened and endangered wildlife species. Seating is limited so please register as soon as possible.
To register, please visit: http://www.jcnerr.org/
For additional information regarding the session e-mail patrick.woerner@dep.state.nj.
Newly released, Version 2.1 and Version 3.0 of New Jersey's Landscape Project that identifies habitats throughout the state can be obtained:
- Online via download: http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/
- Online via DEP's Interactive mapping application: http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/
- On Compact Disc by request to the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program by calling 609-292-9400; faxing 609-984-1414; or writing to P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Keep It Green
The NJ Keep It Green Campaign is a coalition of over 145 statewide, local and regional organizations ranging from sportsmen’s groups and environmental organizations to affordable housing and urban park advocates.
Their mission is to secure a long-term stable source of funding for the acquisition of open space, farmland and historic sites as well as the capital improvement, operation, maintenance, and stewardship of state and local natural areas, parks and historic sites in New Jersey.
This work is guided by the belief that every New Jersey resident deserves well-maintained, accessible neighborhood parks, wildlife areas and historic sites. Our communities rely on these areas for a high quality of life, livable neighborhoods and sustainable economies.
One of their recent successes was in working for the passage of the NJ Yes vote this past November to continue investing in preserving our land, water and history for the benefit of citizens today, and for future generations.
A majority of voters, voted to continue funding to the state's highly successful preservation programs. The Yes vote was bipartisan, winning in eight counties carried by Republican Chris Christie and seven counties carried by Democrat Jon S. Corzine.
Funding for the Green Acres Program, the Farmland Preservation Program, and the NJ Historic Trust will now continue for the next two years, giving New Jersey time to identify a long-term funding source for these programs.
In the meantime, the $400 million in approved funding will:
* Preserve sources of clean drinking water
* Protect water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams
* Preserve wildlife habitat, working farms, historic sites and natural areas
* Invest in our ecological resources that save on the high costs of degradation, protect New Jersey's multi-billion dollar outdoor tourism industries, and create jobs restoring natural and historic landmarks.
* Cost each household less than $1 per month
* Require continued full public disclosure of all spending
* Leave a legacy for future generations.
You can follow NJ Keep It Green on Facebook.
Their mission is to secure a long-term stable source of funding for the acquisition of open space, farmland and historic sites as well as the capital improvement, operation, maintenance, and stewardship of state and local natural areas, parks and historic sites in New Jersey.
This work is guided by the belief that every New Jersey resident deserves well-maintained, accessible neighborhood parks, wildlife areas and historic sites. Our communities rely on these areas for a high quality of life, livable neighborhoods and sustainable economies.
A majority of voters, voted to continue funding to the state's highly successful preservation programs. The Yes vote was bipartisan, winning in eight counties carried by Republican Chris Christie and seven counties carried by Democrat Jon S. Corzine.
Funding for the Green Acres Program, the Farmland Preservation Program, and the NJ Historic Trust will now continue for the next two years, giving New Jersey time to identify a long-term funding source for these programs.
In the meantime, the $400 million in approved funding will:
* Preserve sources of clean drinking water
* Protect water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams
* Preserve wildlife habitat, working farms, historic sites and natural areas
* Invest in our ecological resources that save on the high costs of degradation, protect New Jersey's multi-billion dollar outdoor tourism industries, and create jobs restoring natural and historic landmarks.
* Cost each household less than $1 per month
* Require continued full public disclosure of all spending
* Leave a legacy for future generations.
You can follow NJ Keep It Green on Facebook.
Friday, April 9, 2010
New Jersey, Crossroads of the American Revolution
 |
| Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, 1851 |
Our state of New Jersey has more than 500 farmlands, hillsides and homesteads that played some part, saw some action in the American Revolution.
NJ's Revolutionary War heritage has been federally recognized by the designation of the "Crossroads of the American Revolution Nation Heritage Area" in New Jersey.
Located between the British base at New York and the rebel capital at Philadelphia, New Jersey was the most war-ravaged of the 13 original states. More than 600 skirmishes and battles were fought on its soil and more than 150 naval actions on its waters.
Then, as now, New Jersey straddled roads connecting north and south. In 1775 and 1776, state regiments marched north. During November and December 1776, the remnants of the main Continental Army fled south across New Jersey, pursued by a British army. Just a month later, they retraced part of their route to defeat German and British detachments in Trenton and Princeton and march on to Morristown. This was the first of three winters that the Continental Army spent in New Jersey.
In 2006, legislation designating the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area in New Jersey was passed. This journey toward recognition by the Federal Government of our state’s significant role in the American Revolution began in 2000 when Congress directed the National Park Service to determine whether remaining resources related to the American Revolution in central New Jersey were of national significance.
The study area comprised 14 counties between Bergen and Passaic in the north and Camden and Gloucester in the south. This area includes Morristown National Historical Park, Princeton and Monmouth Battlefield State Parks, Washington’s Crossing State Park, New Bridge Landing, the Old Barracks in Trenton, 13 National Historic Landmarks and more than 250 other National Register of Historic Places sites and districts. All these sites have significant Revolutionary War period resources and that has secured their protection.
Ultimately, the goals of the Crossroads Association will be to raise popular understanding of the historical significance of these sites, to provide an area-wide network between established historic sites, state parks, private property owners, local governments, not-for-profits, and other civic organizations in order to facilitate further preservation (including open-space preservation) and to offer a forum for new initiatives on site use, management, education and historical interpretation.
Battleground NJ
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| James Caldwell |
Revolutionary Chaplain James Caldwell was a Presbyterian minister from Elizabeth who served during the Revolutionary War. At the battle of Springfield, June 23, 1780, his company ran out of the paper wadding used to load their rifles. Caldwell was said to have gone into a nearby Presbyterian Church, grabbed as many Watts hymnals as he could carry, and distributed them to the troops. "Put Watts into them, boys," he said, and the soldiers ripped out the pages to use. Caldwell and his wife were both killed before the war ended.
From July 1776 until November 1783, a British, German and Loyalist army occupied Staten Island, western Long Island and Manhattan, launching expeditions to collect supplies, probe local defenses and attack the Continental Army. Between January and June of 1777, skirmishes were fought up and down the Raritan River, as Continentals sought to limit British foraging and the British attempted to lure the Continentals from the safety of the Watchung Mountains. When Washington eluded them, the British withdrew from the Raritan Valley to attack Philadelphia.
The September 1777, British occupation of Philadelphia brought the war to southern New Jersey. Fierce battles were fought for control of the Delaware River and surrounding countryside. On June 18, 1778, the British army evacuated Philadelphia and began marching toward New York, as Washington led the Continental Army eastward from Valley Forge. The resulting Battle of Monmouth was the last time the two armies met in New Jersey. In 1780, the British moved offensive operations to the south.
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| Battle of Monmouth |
In June 1780, the New York garrison launched two large probes to test the Continentals at Morristown. These probes resulted in the burning of Springfield and Connecticut Farms. Along the coast, small British and Loyalist units continued pinpoint attacks.
One of the American Revolution's last skirmishes was fought December 27, 1782, at Cedar Bridge, Ocean County. |
| "Put Watts into them, boys!" Battle of Springfield |
After a peace treaty was signed in Paris, word reached the Continental Congress, assembled in Princeton, on November 1, 1783.
- Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and Association
- Somerset County: Crossroads of the American Revolution
- Independence Now: The American Revolution 1763-1783
- A Guide to New Jersey's Revolutionary War Trail: for Families and History Buffs
- New Jersey and The Revolutionary War
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Endangered Species Waiting List
The greater sage-grouse was recently deemed to be "warranted but precluded" by the U.S. Department of the Interior for inclusion on the Endangered Species List. Though it "warrants" protection under the Endangered Species Act, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said, the greater sage-grouse will not be added to the list at this time.
Nearly, 300 other species that have also been "precluded." This "waiting list" holds species while other priority species are considered. Luckily, preclusion does not prevent protection. Once labeled "warranted but precluded," it enters a 12-month review cycle that continues until its status is upgraded to inclusion on the endangered species list, or is ruled to no longer be "warranted."
Some environmentalists point to these types of cases as an illustration of the dangers of reactive conservation methods.
The sage-grouse has lost 50% of its rangeland and suffered a 90 percent reduction in its population since the 19th century. Conservationists predict the extirpation of many local populations within 50 or 100 years, which would leave the remaining population so fragmented that it would be vulnerable to complete extinction.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Opening Day Volunteers
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| Rainbow trout |
Wildlife Conservation Corps (WCC) volunteers are needed to assist in counting trout anglers and gathering catch information on the opening day of the trout season on Saturday, April 10th, from 8 - 11 am.
(Information on being a volunteer at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/wcchome.htm )
Volunteers will be assigned a waterbody and will be responsible for counting the number of anglers fishing and also having casual conversations with anglers to document what they are catching. This volunteer activity has been conducted annually since 2005 and is well received by the anglers and is fun to do.
I did this last year at Verona Park in Essex County and it was fun (but rainy) to mingle with kids and "pros" who were there.
The trout-stocked waters that we particularly need opening day information are as follows:
Atlantic County — Birch Grove Park Pond (Northfield)
Bergen County — Whites Pond (Waldwick)
Cape May County — Tuckahoe Lake (Tuckahoe)
Cumberland County — Giampetro Park Lake (Vineland), Shaws Mill Pond (Newport)
Gloucester /Camden Counties — Grenloch Lake (Turnersville)
Gloucester — Mullica Hill Pond (Mullica Hill)
Hudson County — West Hudson County Park Pond (Harrison)
Hunterdon County — Alexauken Creek (W. Amwell), Manny's Pond (Union Twp.),
Mountain Farm Pond (Lebanon Twp.)
Mercer County — Colonial Lake (Lawrenceville)
Middlesex County — Hooks Creek Lake (Cheesequake State Park)
Monmouth County — Hamilton Fire Pond (Neptune)
Morris County — Mt. Hope Pond (Mt. Hope)
Salem County — Riverview Beach Pond (Pennsville Twp.)
Sussex County — E/Br. Paulins Kill (Lafayette)
Warren/Hunterdon Counties — Musconetcong River (Pt. Mtn. Year Round TCA -Port Murray)
If you are interested in participating in this mini-project, please contact Pat Hamilton and let her know which waterbody you can canvass. If you would like to help, but none of those listed above are convenient for you, let Pat know and perhaps another location can be assigned. There are nearly 200 trout-stocked waters throughout the state (for a complete listing), go to: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2010/trtregs10.pdf.
Once a specific waterbody has been assigned to a volunteer, pertinent information (instructions, forms, etc.) will be sent to each participating volunteer.
CONTACT Patricia L. Hamilton, Principal Fisheries Biologist Pat.Hamilton@earthlink.net
Monday, April 5, 2010
NJ Bobwhite Quail Seminar April 29
NJ Audubon and the NJ DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife are hosting a free seminar on Northern Bobwhite Quail Management in New Jersey on April 29th, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in Woodstown, NJ.
Featured speaker Dr. Chris Williams of the University of Delaware, will discuss the characteristics of good bobwhite quail
habitat.Paul Castelli, Research Scientist for NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, will discuss the declining population trend, causes for decline, necessary management and the state's new Bobwhite Quail Action Plan.
Presentations will be followed by a panel discussion with speakers and local bobwhite quail experts.
The seminar location is the Ware Agricultural Extension Office, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ 08098. RSVP is encouraged. Contact 609-861-1608 ext. 24 to RSVP or for more information.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
NJ Trout Season Opens April 10
To fish for trout, a valid annual New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp are both required for residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years of age plus all non-residents 16 years and older.
There are nearly 200 trout-stocked waters throughout the state (for a complete listing), go to: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2010/trtregs10.pdf
Friday, April 2, 2010
NJ Last Frost Dates
April is here and thoughts are becoming fully springish (maybe even summerish on one of these warmer days) and gardeners are thinking about that last frost date and setting out plants.
Weather will always be unpredictable, but here are some dates to use.
Weather will always be unpredictable, but here are some dates to use.
Average First and Last Frost Dates for New Jersey
| City | Spring Last Frost | Fall First Frost |
| Atlantic City | 5/15 | 9/28 |
| Hammonton | 4/25 | 10/3 |
| Jersey City | 4/18 | 10/19 |
| Millville | 4/29 | 10/10 |
| Newark | 4/15 | 10/26 |
| Newton | 5/24 | 9/19 |
| Shiloh | 4/29 | 10/12 |
| Trenton | 4/15 | 10/23 |
Source: "Climatography of the U.S. No. 20, Supplement No. 1", 1988,
National Climatic Data Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Cherry Blossom Time in New Jersey
--the most famous parks designer of his time.Essex County Branch Brook Park
was conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1867, designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm between 1898 and 1938, and saw its first cherry tree planted in 1927 thanks to a generous gift from Caroline Bamberger Fuld.The Park is part of the Essex County Park System—the first established county park system in the United States—and is listed on both the National and New Jersey State Registers of Historic Places.
However, a distinguishing characteristic of the Essex County Park System is its springtime blooms. Three magnificent gardens blossom annually in three different parks. Visit Branch Brook Park in April to see our historic collection of cherry trees in bloom. Visit the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in May to see more than 8,000 irises bloom. And visit Brookdale Park in June to see roses bloom.
After learning that many of the original trees were decaying due to old age, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. initiated a multi-phase program three years ago to plant 4,000 new cherry trees throughout the Park by 2010. These plantings have helped to strengthen and add to a striking cherry tree collection that is recognized as having the greatest variety in the world.
Since 1979, the System has been maintained by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. It currently consists of more than 25 parks and reservations spanning 6,000 plus acres and includes major facilities such as the Turtle Back Zoo, the Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain, the Roseland Environmental Center and Kip's Castle Park.
http://essexnjblooms.org/CherryBlossoms.aspx
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