NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Celebrates 125 Years

Game Warden M. Loveless (seated) with Deputy Warden Michael Bobera, circa 1912

The NJDEP Division of Fish and  Wildlife is marking 125 years of conserving wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for future generations of hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts. Throughout the year, the Division will highlight historical information and conservation success stories on its website and Facebook page. It will also mark the anniversary during its annual special events, beginning with the Pequest Open House this weekend, Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, in Oxford, Warren County. This free event features exhibits, fishing, a beginner archery range, wildlife artists, taxidermists, woodcarvers and a sportsmen’s flea market.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife, which today manages nearly 350,000 acres of wildlife management areas, is one of the oldest state wildlife management agencies in the nation. The division traces its beginning to March 8, 1892, with legislation calling for the appointments of three fish and game commissioners and a paid “game protector” for the “better protection of the fishing interests and of the game birds and game animals of this state, and for the better enforcement of the laws relating thereto.”

This structure evolved into the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game, which was integrated into the DEP when the agency was formed on the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970.  In 1979, the agency became the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, and in 2000, the name was changed to the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encompass its mission of managing all wildlife.

“During this 125th anniversary, we rededicate ourselves to our mission of protecting, conserving and managing our wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of many generations to come,” said Acting Division Director Larry Herrighty. “It is my sincere hope that residents and visitors take a few minutes to learn about our history, and all of the great work that we do and, most important, to take advantage of the many wildlife-related recreation opportunities that New Jersey has to offer.”

New Jersey has ecosystems that support an amazing diversity of wildlife: the wooded and rocky ridges of the Highlands, home to bears and bobcats; the vast pitch pine forests of the Pinelands that provide habitats for unique amphibians and reptiles; the coast’s beaches, dunes and salt marshes that teem with osprey, shorebirds and wading birds; the Delaware Bay region, boasting the state’s largest concentration of bald eagles; and Cape May, known worldwide for its hawk and butterfly migrations.

Today the division has a role in managing all wildlife species in New Jersey, including game animals; freshwater and marine fish; managing shellfish; birds, amphibians and reptiles; and endangered and nongame species. Division of Fish and Wildlife staff also educate the public about wildlife-related issues, and its conservation officers enforce the laws that protect wildlife.

The division’s many success stories and ongoing work includes:

• Preservation and management of 122 state wildlife management areas encompassing 349,000 acres for hunting, fishing and enjoyment of nature;
• An award-winning hunter education program that stresses safe and ethical hunting, and culminates in required attendance at a field session to demonstrate knowledge and skills;
• Special youth hunting and free fishing days to introduce novices to these activities;
• A comprehensive management and education program to maintain a healthy and sustainable population of black bears;
• The impressive restoration of bald eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons once threatened with extirpation in the state because of past use of the pesticide DDT;
• Development and implementation of plans to assess the health of wildlife and their habitats, and to take actions to improve or stabilize potentially at-risk species;
• Efforts to restore and protect populations of endangered species, such as two shorebird species – the piping plover and the red knot;
• Ongoing implementation of the latest methodologies to track wildlife populations and identify their habitats;
• Partnering with leading universities on research projects to better inform decisions on conservation and recovery strategies;
• Management of freshwater fish stocking programs for popular game fish such as trout, muskellunge, channel catfish and walleye;
• Identification and protection of high-quality freshwater fish habitats;
• Management of recreationally and commercially important saltwater fish such as flounder, sea bass, striped bass and bluefish;
• Management of more than 720,000 acres of estuarine and ocean beds for the harvest of clams and oysters;
• The construction of boat ramps, launches and other public fishing access across the state;
• Annual events such as the Pequest Trout Hatchery Open House, the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, the NJ WILD Outdoor Expo and Garden State Deer Classic;
• A successful Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs program, a unique and nationally recognized program that encourages school-aged children to fish and appreciate the outdoors instead of turning to drugs, alcohol or tobacco;
• Construction of a network of artificial reefs to enhance saltwater fishing;
• Operation of the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery, Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center, and the Rockport Pheasant Farm.
• The division provides scientific analyses and advice to various state councils and committees, including the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council, the Shellfisheries Council, the Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee, the Wildlife Rehabilitators Advisory Committee and the Waterfowl Stamp Advisory Committee.

“We can always count on the Division of Fish and Wildlife to provide us with the scientific data and other information we need to make sound decisions on behalf of everyone in the state,” said New Jersey Fish and Game Council Chairman David Burke. “I congratulate the Division of Fish and Wildlife on this milestone and look forward to continuing to work with the division toward our shared goal of conserving our fish and wildlife resources for all to enjoy.”

For information on the division, a history timeline, upcoming events, or to apply for a hunting or fishing license, and a link to the division’s Facebook page, visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Pocket Ranger mobile app guide to fishing, hunting and wildlife is available through Google Play and the iTunes Store.

SOURCE:  nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0014.htm

Third Annual Shell-A-Bration on the Delaware Bay

Photo via restorenjbayshore.org

The Third Annual Shell-A-Bration on the Delaware Bay in New Jersey will be held on Saturday April 8th at 12:30pm - 4:30pm at Thompsons Beach, 163 Thompson Beach Road in Delmont.

You can volunteer to help "shell-a-brate" building a fourth oyster reef at Thompsons Beach in the Delaware Bay. The work will involve carrying bags of shell to a site just off the beach.

Dress to get wet and dirty. Layers are recommended as it may be chillier on the Bay. And you may want to bring a change of clothes for after the work is completed.

Following the reef build, enjoy a small campfire on the beach, a picnic-style lunch provided by Spanky's BBQ and family-friendly activities.

The American Littoral Society and Conserve Wildlife Foundation have helped restore beaches at a number of locations following Hurricane Sandy and is now working to establish near-shore shell bars at three of those sites. The reefs will prevent sand loss from wind driven waves. We have already established oyster reef living shorelines at South Reeds Beach, Moores Beach and Dyers Cove.

Although registration is not required, it is recommended. Please contact Quinn Whitesall quinn@littoralsociety.org for more information or to register.

Tracking and Stopping Wastewater Pollution

Shark River enter the Atlantic Ocean

Working in collaboration, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, Monmouth County and Neptune City have tracked down and repaired a significant source of bacterial contamination that affected water quality and contributed to the closure of shellfish beds in the Shark River late last year.

Barely 12 miles in total length, the Shark River is comprised primarily of a large, U-shaped estuarine basin that is connected to the ocean by a relatively narrow inlet.

Using dye tests and cameras provided by NJDOT, the partners were able to locate sewage leaking into a stormwater discharge pipe at West Sylvania Avenue in Neptune City. The source of the infiltration into the stormwater pipe was then traced to two leaking municipal sewer lines, which the city recently repaired.

In early November, the DEP’s Bureau of Marine Water Quality Monitoring suspended any harvesting of clams from two stretches of the river totaling 266 acres – 122 acres in the northern portion of the river in Neptune City and 144 acres in the western portion of the river at Belmar – due to extremely elevated levels of bacteria, a strong indicator of sewage leaks.

“This has been a team effort in the truest sense of the term,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “Our scientists worked very closely with NJDOT engineers, who provided extensive technical and resource support.

“We also had the strong support of Monmouth County, local officials and Senator Jennifer Beck to track down the source of this pollution, no easy task considering the size of the area that had to be investigated and the complexity of piping networks in the area. Neptune City also stepped up and fixed the leaks promptly. I commend everyone who went the extra yard to protect the quality of water in the Shark River.”

“NJDOT personnel have the experience and skills needed to investigate the vast network of underground water and sewer pipes that run beneath the roadways in New Jersey – whether they are State, county, or municipal roads,” NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. “Neptune City approached the Department of Transportation last year regarding an issue with erosion on one of its roads. NJDOT led a coordinated inter-agency effort in which our engineers, through the use of Transportation Trust Funds, investigated the issue and in the process identified the source of long-term and persistent bacteria infiltration into the Shark River.”

“It has been a real pleasure to work with the DEP, NJDOT, and Monmouth County on this project to preserve our natural resource,” said Neptune Mayor Robert Brown. “This is proof how you can make great progress on such an important project when we all have the same goal.”

The DEP and its partners are currently launching a similar effort to track down the source of bacteria being discharged into the western portion of the basin. This situation may also be the result of an underground sewage pipe leak.

“We still have a lot more work ahead of us, but this is a great step toward identifying and tracking sources of bacteria that impact shellfish beds and can diminish the public’s recreational enjoyment of the river,” said Ray Bukowski, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement, who organized the track-down effort.

Prior to their closure, the shellfish beds were classified as restricted due to degrading water quality, and have not been harvested in years because they would need to be taken to a special plant for cleansing, a process known as depuration, before they could be shipped to market.

“The DEP’s goal is to improve overall water quality in the river so that in the longer term we can make the naturally productive shellfish beds found there commercially viable again,” said Dan Kennedy, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources.

Due to strong programs protecting and monitoring shellfish beds, the percentage of beds considered safe for harvesting across the state is now nearly 90 percent, compared to about 75 percent in 1977.

Founded in 1912, the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring actually precedes the formation of the DEP by nearly six decades. The bureau collects thousands of samples from shellfish waters which, among other things, measures temperature, salinity, nutrients and bacteria.

SOURCE: http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0019.htm

Pequest Open House Rescheduled to June

Due to excessive snow cover and resulting poor condition of the grounds at the Pequest Trout Hatchery, the Open House originally scheduled for April 1 and 2 has been rescheduled to June 3 and 4. 

The new date will coincide with National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs from June 3 – 11, and the June 10 Free Fishing Day.

For information and updates visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/peqoh.htm on the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife website.

Princeton Environmental Film Festival

The 2017 Princeton Environmental Film Festival will be held March 28 – April 2, 2017. The Festival is sponsored by the Princeton Public Library and is held annually at 65 Witherspoon Street in downtown Princeton, New Jersey, with additional special events offered throughout the year.

Founded in 2006, the PEFF’s mission is to share exceptional documentary films and engage the community in exploring environmental sustainability from a wide range of angles and perspectives.

The film screenings are free of an admission charge and accompanied by a Q&A with film directors and producers, as well as talks by invited speakers visiting the festival or by those who live here in our community.

Birds of May trailer from Hundred Year Films on Vimeo.

Check out the full schedule of films, but one film that caught my attention is "Birds of May." It is a 30-minute film directed by Jared Flesher that will have its New Jersey premiere at the festival. It tells the story of the federally threatened rufa red knot bird and its annual visit to the Delaware Bay.

Following the movie, a Q&A with the director, and a presentation by shorebird biologist Larry Niles and Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s David Wheeler will be held. Wildlife art by James Fiorentino, and poetry readings by the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Program, featuring Cynthia Arrieu-King and Catherine Doty will also be part of the screening. The event is part of “Because We Come from Everything: Poetry and Migration,” a series organized by the newly formed National Poetry Coalition.

This screening is March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Princeton Public Library.

Spring Brings Vernal Pools to Life

Eastern Tiger Salamander   Photo by Caitlin Smith/USFWS.

Springlike weather has arrived and left NJ a few times already in February and March, but as the true spring season arrived this morning, vernal pools will appear and become more actively occupied.

Vernal pools are confined wetland depressions, either natural or man-made, that hold water for at least two consecutive months out of the year and are devoid of breeding fish populations.

Here in New Jersey, rural portions of the Skylands, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain landscapes are home to the majority of our vernal pools. These unique ecosystems provide habitat to many species of amphibians, insects, reptiles, plants, and other wildlife.

An endangered species in NJ, the Eastern Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are part of the wildlife ritual that happens around those intermittent pools/ponds. This is where many amphibian species go to breed.

Habitat loss and water pollution have led to the decline of tiger salamander populations in the southern portion of New Jersey and by the mid-1970s their known historic breeding sites had been reduced to half - 19 sites.

Consequently, the Eastern Tiger Salamander was listed as an endangered species in 1974 and still remains on the list.

Protecting vernal ponds has led the NJDEP to adopt regulations that affords them protection under the State Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act.

The Eastern Tiger Salamander is only one challenged amphibian species in our state. Their breeding needs or habitat are impacted by water pollution, pesticides, roads, introductions of fish, off-road vehicles and development, especially on private land.

Some populations have been saved from local extinction by the species ability to utilize human-made "pools" such as trenches and construction areas as breeding ponds.

Spotted Salamander

Another vernal pool visitor is the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). This a big salamander that is about 15–25 cm (5.9–9.8 in) long. They are stout with wide snouts. The spotted salamander's main color is black, but can sometimes be a blueish-black, dark grey, dark green, or even dark brown. Two uneven rows of yellowish-orange spots run from the top of the head (near the eyes) to the tip of the tail.

The Spotted Salamander breeds in large groups in vernal ponds in early spring, when the first
warm rains occur. It prefers deciduous or mixed woods. Outside of breeding season, it may be found under debris in humid conditions.

Adults can be observed moving into vernal pools sometime after the first spring rain as early
as the beginning of March. They will remain in these breeding ponds for up to a month before moving back to their terrestrial dwellings. Their range is the Northern and Western part of the state outside the Pinelands.

Amphibians of New Jersey

Vernal Pools in NJ

Well, It Did Feel Like Spring For a Few Weeks in February

For a few weeks in February, it sure felt like spring was very near in New Jersey or maybe had even arrived - even if the calendar and Earth's tilt said otherwise. I saw crocuses and daffodils up and blooming. Tree buds seemed to be starting their bud burst.

Then the thermometer reversed itself and we had the biggest snow of the winter.

The news reported that the cherry blossoms in the nation's capital are threatened, and the ones in New Jersey (which generally peak in early April) might also be affected. Not So Trivial Fact: New Jersey has more cherry trees than Washington D.C. - the largest cherry blossom collection in the United States. But the Branch Brook Park cherry blossom webcam in Newark just shows bare trees and snow as I write this.

I have written before about the study of cyclic, seasonal natural phenomena which is called phenology. The National Phenology Network tracks “Nature’s Calendar” via phenological events. But can we actually predict the seasons with any accuracy?

These nature observations include the ones we all have been observing lately, such as trees and flowers, but also ones that you may not be able to observe or just don't pay attention to. Those signs of seasonal change include male ungulates, such as elk or deer, growing antlers at the beginning of the rut and breeding season each year, mammals that hibernate seasonally to get through the winter, and bird migration during the year.

Other than the false Groundhog Day forced observations, phenological events can be incredibly sensitive to climate change. That change can be year-to-year, but the timing of many of these events is changing globally - and not always in the same direction and magnitude.

 Spring leaf anomaly: dark red indicates areas of early bud burst, with some areas as great as 21 days early. It should be noted, that areas around Los Angeles are conversely nearly 21 days behind schedule. via blogs.plos.org

According to a Public Library of Science (PLOS) blog: 

"From 1982 to 2012, spring budburst (when the leaves first appear) has advanced by a bit over 10 days, while the onset of autumn in the northeast US has pushed back about 4.5 days. No trends were found for other regions. This lengthening of the growing season has profound implications for the ecology of these forests and potentially their ecological evolution. A longer growing season could translate to high carbon storage for increased growth, but higher rates of decomposition and changes in moisture availability. However, these changes in phenology are primarily driven by increasing temperatures. In a warmer world, some species may simply not be able to survive where they are now, creating a dramatic change in the species composition. And this is without considering changes in precipitation."

The National Phenology Network's project called Nature’s Notebook collects data from more than 15,000 naturalists across the nation who, using standardized methods, provide information about plant and animal phenology.

Project BudBurst is another citizen science focused project using observations of phenological events and phases through crowd-sourcing. Project like this give you the opportunity to make your observations of nature more conscious, and to contribute to the knowledge base.

Protecting Vernal Ponds

The NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry has launched a pilot project to install barriers to protect ecologically sensitive intermittent ponds in Wharton State Forest from damage caused by illegal use of off-road vehicles.

Vernal or intermittent ponds and pools are shallow depressions found throughout our state that periodically dry out as the temperature rises, rainfall varies and the ground water table fluctuates.

These areas are ecologically important because they provide breeding habitat for many of the region’s unique amphibian and plant species.

Fish that would otherwise eat the eggs and larvae of many amphibian species cannot populate these ponds due to their fluctuations.

In the Pinelands, for example, species such as the Pine Barrens tree frog are found in few places outside the Pinelands.

The initial phase of the project in the Pinelands targeted four ponds, as part of a broader effort to protect ecologically sensitive areas in the 125,000-acre state forest. Wharton, by far the largest unit of the State Park System, is located in the heart of the globally unique Pinelands National Reserve, and covers parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties.

Some off-road vehicle enthusiasts run their vehicles through these ponds both during their wet and dry periods. In the process, their tires leave deep tracks in the ponds and destroy plants that fringe them.

Eggs

Organizations involved in the Wharton project were the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Iron in the Pines, Open Trails NJ, NJPineBarrens.com, the South Jersey Botany Group, the New Jersey Trail Riders Association, South Jersey Geocachers, the Gossamer Hunting Club and the Whitesbog Historic Trust.

A NJ Income Tax Check-off to Help Endangered Species

New Jersey residents can continue to help the recovery of endangered species through a state income-tax check-off. Not the most opportune time to ask someone for a "donation," but taxpayers can give a portion of their state refunds to fund wildlife protection.

Simply look for Line 59 on your NJ 1040 income tax return, and check-off for wildlife. Or remind your tax preparer that you want to make a contribution.

Every dollar you donate goes directly to the DEP's Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP), enabling biologists to continue their work to restore, conserve and enhance New Jersey's populations of rare species. What's more, your contribution is matched with an equal amount of federal funding, further strengthening efforts to protect hundreds of imperiled species.

The funds collected in past years have helped specie such as the bald eagle and osprey populations reach record highs in the state.

It is an understandable misconception that these programs are funded by tax dollars or the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses. They are not.

The Endangered and Nongame Species Program also works closely with local conservation groups. They award Conserve Wildlife Matching Grants —funded by sales of Conserve Wildlife license plates — to fund efforts of nonprofit conservation organizations,

Hike All of New Jersey's 21 Counties

Lake Aeroflex in Kittatinny Valley State Park is considered the deepest natural lake in NJ

Some early spring days and temperatures may have gotten you thinking about more outdoor activities. Walks and hikes are my own favorite way to get outdoors these days. Back in the days when my knees were in better shape, I really wanted to through hike the Appalachian Trail, but I knew that was a reach. I joined a hiking club that did the Appalachian Trail in sections which seemed more doable. Though I never did the entire east coast AT, I did cover all of its sections in NJ, NY, PA and sections in other states.

NJ.com ran an artilce recently with suggestions of where you might hike in each of NJ's 21 counties.  Setting a goal of doing a hike this year in each county would be a good way to get into hiking and see more of the state.

Starting up north, you could try a Sussex County hike in Kittatinny Valley State Park. In its 5,600-acres, there are trails of varying difficulty. Actually, for almost all of the 21 suggested locations, you can take a hike and also a gentle walk. These are not backpacking expeditions requiring training and special equipment (though there are a few tougher hikes in our state).

Kittatinny features some glacial lakes and limestone outcroppings that will be seen from two rails-to-trails paths and those Stokes State Forest, a popular destination featuring a portion of the Appalachian Trail, cliffs, Tillman Ravine and miles of good hiking trails.

And down south, you can try Cape May Point State Park. With 244-acres along the Jersey Shore, this spot offers some flatland walks and hikes through wetland marsh, coastal dunes and beaches. The area is known for its wildlife and birding - along with a World War II-era bunker offshore. There are no mountaintops to scale, but you can climb the Cape May Lighthouse. 

Alternately, you can explore Belleplain State Forest, which is in Cape May County but extends north into Cumberland County. The Forest offers several trails including a flat but longer (7.2 miles) East Creek Trail.

In between and in my own backyard of urban Essex County, there is one of childhood stomping grounds: South Mountain Reservation. At 2,112-acres, this urban nature reserve is located between the first and second ridges of the Watchung Mountains.

It is a great escape with woodlands, streams, creeks, ponds, a reservoir and Hemlock Falls. There are trails from less than a mile (a short walk!) up to 6 miles. As with any of these locations, you can bundle several trails together to create a longer hike.

An alternative spot is the smaller 400-acre Eagle Rock Reservation which is also an easily-accessed spot for a short day hike or ramble.

Mills Reservation: Urban Trails

Mills Reservation is another one of NJ's urban forests located in Essex County. It is my favorite local walking spot as it is very close to my home. It is located primarily in Cedar Grove with a section reaching into bordering Montclair. It became a part of the Essex County Park system in 1954 due to a donation from the Davella Mills foundation which had previously owned the land.

Mills Reservation consists of deciduous woodland and wetlands with the only development consisting of a small unpaved parking lot located off of Normal Avenue and the development of an extensive trail system for a small area. Though it is surrounded by roads and homes, like many urban parks, it offers a welcome escape close to home.

The Reservation grew from its original 119 acres to 157 acres through a land swap in the mid-1960s with the city of Newark who owns adjoining property and the reservoir in Cedar Grove.

volcanic basalt njurbanforest.com

Mills Reservation is located on the First Watchung Mountain. The word “Watchung” is of Native American origin and means “high hill." Geologically, the rock which forms the Watchungs is known as volcanic basalt which formed when molten lava extruded out of the earth’s surface and cooled rapidly.

Mills Reservation features seven trails totaling 6.1 miles. The trails overlap, which can be confusing, but the most used one is the 1.5 mile Mills Loop Trail. It is essentially a gravel road which is popular with joggers and dog walkers, while the other six trails go deeper into the wooded forest areas and are more interesting.

The Reservoir Trail has red blazes and runs for 1 Mile heading west from the Parking Lot and following the western border of Mills Reservation near Reservoir Drive. The Reservoir trail ends where the southern section of the Eastview Trail begins. 

A portion of the the much longer Essex County Lenape Trail also runs through the reservation. The Lenape Trail is a trail connecting Newark and Roseland, New Jersey. It was established in 1982.
It is the fifth longest trail in the state and it traverses cities like Newark and its suburbs, but also the Watchung Mountains and the Passaic Meadows. The Lenape Trail is part of the larger 156-mile Liberty Water Gap Trail, created in 2000.

The Lenape Trail west is accessible from the parking lot via the short Lenape Link Trail (Yellow on White Blazes) which heads west from the Normal Avenue parking lot to connect with the Lenape Trail. From here, you can connect to the West Essex Trail which is the Lenape Trail's only true "rail-to-trail" section.

The Lenape Trail also heads southwest crossing through the Reservoir Trail, Mills Loop Trail and the Woodland Trail. Once the Lenape Trail crosses the Woodland and Mills Loop Trail, it heads east to Quarry Point and then north paralleling the Eastview Trail and into Montclair’s Mountainside Park on its way to Newark.

Quarry Point  njurbanforest.com

The Eastview Trail (Blue Blazes, 1.1 Miles) starts its southern portion near the Old Quarry Road entrance to Mills Reservation and, as the name implies, heads east to Quarry Point before turning north on the eastern portion of the reserve.

Quarry Point contains volcanic basalt outcrops in addition to a very old cement platform where anti-aircraft guns were installed during World War II. There are great views of NYC and to the south. This is the first ridge west of the lower Hudson River Valley, and runs from northeast to southwest. The view from the platform is south and east. Bring binoculars. To the south, on a clear day, there is a view of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, and south and east you can see the entire New York City skyline including the Statue of Liberty, and all the way northeast to the Palisades. Looking far north and less easily to the west, peaks from the Ramapo Mountains can be discerned, and the beginning of the Second Watchung Mountain.

The NJ Audubon Society uses this and their Lookout across the road for observing migratory birds, such as warblers in the spring and hawks in the fall. The Montclair Hawk Lookout is opposite Quarry Point (across a road) atop a 500-foot basalt ledge.

The Mills Gate Trail  (Orange Blaze) is a very short side loop of the Mills Reservation Loop that goes through the original entrance of Mills Reservation.

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DIRECTIONS: Take the Garden State Parkway south to exit 151 (Watchung Avenue in Montclair). Turn west from the exit ramp onto Watchung Avenue.  Drive about two miles until the road ends at Upper Mountain Avenue.  Turn north and go 1.7 miles to the traffic light at Normal Avenue.  Turn west and drive 0.3 miles to the entrance on the left.  Limited parking is also available on Old Quarry Road near the southern entrance and that is just steps away from Quarry Point and the Hawkwatch.

MORE INFORMATION
nynjtc.org/park/mills-reservation-county-park
NJurbanforest.com  
At NYNJCT Botany, you can see lists of Mills Reservation's array of native flora including trees, shrubs, vines and herbs.
Montclair Hawk Lookout, a sanctuary of the New Jersey Audubon Society.
Lenape Trail Information: NYNJtc.org/park/lenape-trail  and LibertyGap.org/lenape-trail.html

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