Student Conservation Association

The Student Conservation Association is an organization that offers real world job opportunities for kids in high school and college to maintain and improve our state and county parks, trails, cultural landmarks and other outdoor areas.

Their mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.

In New Jersey, chances to serve this past year being a Shorebird Intern at the Gateway National Recreation Area at Fort Hancock, and being a Biological Technician at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville.

These interns may well become the next generation of environmental caretakers from their hands-on service.

To learn more about the Student Conservation Association, visit http://www.thesca.org

Hike Into 2014

New Jersey's state parks will host "First Day Hikes" on the first day of 2014 as part of a national movement to kick off a healthier New Year.

There are 23 guided hikes, two mountain bike rides and a horseback ride and all are free (most are child-friendly and allow leashed dogs). Some "hikes" are more like "walks" so don't be frightened off if you're not in great shape.

A list of First Day events and descriptions, registration information and meeting places is online at  www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/first_day_hikes.html.

Some samples:

Early risers and true hikers can hit the trail at 8:45 a.m. for the Highlands Trail Hike from Spruce Run Reservoir in Clinton to Voorhees State Park in Lebanon Township - a 15-mile hike along rail trail, roads and rugged mountain paths.

Gentler walking at Island Beach State Park for a one-hour nature hikes at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Explore the ecology of the park and its unique history.

Hike history with the first hike of the day at 7:30 a.m. for a "real time" tour of the Battle of Princeton at the Princeton Battlefield Park and trace the steps of American and British troops at the exact time of day as the original battle in 1777.

There are also hikes at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Waterloo Village and the First Day Nature Hike at Cheesequake State Park in Matawan.
One of my favorite Jersey places is the Pine Barrens and at 10 a.m. at  the New Jersey Conservation Foundation's Franklin Parker Preserve in Chatsworth there is a 3-mile hike exploring the reservoirs and bogs of this former cranberry farm, now a haven for birds and wildlife.


I wish I had my own horse to go to Kittatinny Valley State Park in Blairstown for its First Day horseback ride at 10 a.m. Nearby, walkers with only 2 legs can join the Paulinskill Valley rail trail hike in another section of the park at 10 a.m.

Happy Birthday Endangered Species Act

It was on this day in 1973 that the Endangered Species Act was signed into law.

Although there had been wildlife conservation laws in place for decades, by the late 19th century, the passenger pigeon was almost gone, the whooping crane population had plummeted, and many other species were being hunted into extinction. The causes were many - for food, for fashionable clothing, and sometimes just for sport.

In 1900, the Lacey Act was passed, regulating the sale of illegally captured or hunted wildlife across state lines. But the Lacey Act could only do so much; the passenger pigeon went extinct, and by 1941, there were only about 16 whooping cranes left in the wild. The whooping crane became the inspiration for the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, which set aside money to buy habitat for endangered species.

In 1970, the Department of the Interior proposed adding the sperm whale to its list of endangered species, and the Pentagon and Commerce Department protested because the Navy used sperm whale oil in its submarines.


In 1972, President Nixon - not known for environmemtal protection - outlined his environmental agenda to Congress.

"This is the environmental awakening. It marks a new sensitivity of the American spirit and a new maturity of American public life. It is working a revolution in values, as commitment to responsible partnership with nature replaces cavalier assumptions that we can play God with our surroundings and survive." 

He specifically asked for a new Endangered Species Act that would provide early identification and protection of threatened species, and treat hunting or capturing endangered species as a federal offense.

In 1973, the House and Senate versions were combined. The Senate passed the bill unanimously, and the House by a vote of 355 to 4.

Source: writersalmanac.publicradio.org

Help Save the Peregrine Falcon Webcam

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Peregrine Webcam has been streaming live video from the rooftop nestbox at 101 Hudson Street in Jersey City for a number of years.

Even webcams can become endangered. Unfortunately, there is no longer funding available for the NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife to manage and host the Jersey City Peregrine Webcam.

The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ (CWF) hopes to replace the old analog system with a new digital high-definition camera and host the webcam. This will allow them to provide streaming video of the nestbox this coming season, but your support is needed to make this happen.

If you would like to help make that happen, you can make a donation,
visit conservewildlifenj.org/education/falconcam/

Since 2001, Nestbox News has chronicled the nesting activity, providing detailed information about each year's activity.

The Peregrine Project has always relied on public support. Much of that support is from The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, a non-profit organization which works closely with the division's Endangered and Nongame Species Program.